Microsoft’s Best of E3 Awards

Straight from my inbox:

Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2004 — Microsoft Game Studios Takes Home the Gold with Four Awards

Halo 2 Awarded Best Console Game, Best Action Game and Best Online Multiplayer; Jade Empire Wins Best Role-Playing Game
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the votes are in and Halo 2 won three of the prestigious Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2004, including Best Console Game, Best Action Game and Best Online Multiplayer. BioWare’s highly anticipated Jade Empire also received many accolades at E3, and took home the Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2004 for Best Role-Playing Game. A complete list of the awards can be found at http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/win.html.

When nominations were announced, Halo 2 led all games this year with four nominations. Add this to more than 30 E3 awards from various games publications, including numerous “Game of Show” awards, and it becomes clear that Halo 2 has solidified its hold as the most highly anticipated game of 2004. Halo 2 will be on store shelves November 9, 2004. More information on Halo 2 can be found at http://www.xbox.com/halo2.

Jade Empire received numerous E3 awards in addition to the Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2004 for Best Role-Playing Game. The game also received Best RPG and Best Xbox Game from GameSpy, Best of Show from GameDAILY and Best Role-Playing Game from IGN. Due to ship to retail stores in spring 2005, Jade Empire will delve players into a world full of powerful martial arts and mystical powers. More information on Jade Empire can be found at http://www.xbox.com/jadeempire.

“We’re very proud of this year’s entire E3 lineup and all of the recognition that our titles have received. These awards, and the many others that we’ve received from gamers and the press, validate all of the great work that our studios and our partners are doing to create great franchises that customers love,” said Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios.

The Game Critics Awards are the only independent E3 awards, voted on by editors from 35 leading outlets that cover games — including the top magazines, online sites, newspapers and television programs.

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system and Windows® and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon™; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing and MechAssault; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart™.