Microsoft Corp. today announces Hironobu Sakaguchi, video game legend and president of Mistwalker game studio, has joined with Microsoft(r) Game Studios to develop role-playing game (RPG) video games exclusively for the next-generation Xbox(r) video game platform. Sakaguchi is best known as the creator of the “Final Fantasy” franchise and was executive vice president in charge of game development at Square Enix Co., Ltd. until February 2001.

Citing a shared vision with Microsoft for the next generation of video
games, Sakaguchi will lead the creation of two upcoming Xbox-exclusive
RPG titles to be published by Microsoft Game Studios.

“Sakaguchi-san has taken role-playing games – traditionally a niche
market – and introduced them to a broad and diverse audience across the
globe,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide
Marketing and Publishing at Microsoft. “We are ecstatic to work with
Sakaguchi-san and celebrate what this news means not only for Xbox, but
for gamers worldwide.”

“I’m excited about the two epic game titles we will be developing,”
Sakaguchi said. “A number of talented creators have signed on to help
develop these games, and I’m confident we will be able to create games
that provide gamers with a new kind of thrill.

“Microsoft’s cutting-edge technologies in the next-generation platform
will allow me to bring to life an array of ideas that I have had for
many years,” Sakaguchi said. “I want these games to be alive with a new
vision for gaming and vividly depict new characters that will transcend
the game, find a place in the hearts of gamers, and make time spent with my games a fond and long-lasting memory.”