Microsoft Announces X05 Event For Amsterdam

Following previous indications that Microsoft would be holding an X05 trade and press event this year in Europe, to be held on the 4th and 5th of October, the company has now revealed the location of X05 to be Amsterdam, Holland. The first European X event in 2001, held in Pierre Cardin's Bubble House in Cannes, France, revealed pricing details for the Xbox and Xbox Live in Europe. X02, set at La Isla Magica (Seville), saw the first announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of Rare, and X03 at Juan-les-Pins was used to announce Microsoft Game Studios’ partnership with Epic Games, now starting to be consummated through titles such as Gears Of War. With the Xbox winding down for the release of the Xbox 360, there was no X04 event last year, with the re-emergence of the expo being used to promote the imminent launch of the Xbox 360. This may also be the first time that the European release dates and pricing for the new format are revealed, with other third party announcements also expected. Chris Lewis, regional vice president, Xbox, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), commented with regard to: "We put a great deal of thought into determining the location for X05... To tell you our rational for choosing Amsterdam would reveal some of our plans, and we want to keep those as secret as possible! Suffice to say that after X05 it will be clear that the next generation starts with Xbox." According to Microsoft Europe, the organizers of X05 will be sending out more communication and invitations regarding the event over the next few weeks.