IGN Entertainment's GamerMetrics, a business
intelligence tool that tracks the awareness and activity of over 25 million gamers,
shows Microsoft's Perfect Dark Zero, Tecmo's Dead Or Alive 4, and Electronic
Arts' Madden NFL '06 as the most anticipated launch titles for Microsoft's new
Xbox 360 console that hits store shelves November 22nd. Microsoft has officially
confirmed the 18 video game titles that will be available when the Xbox 360 goes
on sale later this month. Following is how these games rank in terms of the
amount of awareness they are generating with the millions of consumers seeking
information about these titles on three of the leading video game web sites:
IGN.com, GameSpy.com, and TeamXbox.com.
XBox 360 Launch Titles Buzz Ranked by GamerMetrics:
1. Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft)
2. Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo)
3. Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)
4. Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft)
5. Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
6. NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)
7. Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft)
8. Need for Speed Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
9. NBA 2K6 (2K Games)
10. FIFA 06: Road to FIFA Worldcup (Electronic Arts)
11. Peter Jackson's King Kong (Ubisoft)
12. QUAKE 4 (Activision)
13. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision)
14. Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
15. Condemned: Criminal Origins (SEGA)
16. GUN (Activision)
17. Amped 3 (2K Games)
18. NHL 2K6 (2K Games)
Electronic Arts is leading the way with four of the top ten launch titles, Microsoft
follows with three top ten titles. Sports games are the most popular genre,
representing four of the top ten titles. Microsoft's Gears of War, not a launch
title but expected to release early in 2006, is currently the most anticipated
Xbox 360 title overall.
GamerMetrics analyzes the online activity of visitors to IGN Entertainment's
network of video game news and information sites, the largest audience of video
gamers online, and determines the level of awareness and interest in video game
titles among that audience.
"Each console cycle brings a new set of challenges where understanding consumer
behavior is critical towards future success," said David Tokheim, Vice President
of Marketing, IGN Entertainment. "Exposing the awareness and purchase intent
preferences of over 25 million potential customers allows game companies, retailers,
analysts, and potential licensors a valuable source of information to guide their
decision making process."
