Humankind s Fight for Freedom Begins in T-Minus Four Days with Release of Vampire Rain

Free the world from terror this Fourth of July as Vampire Rain for Xbox 360 ships to retailers beginning on July 3

Just in time for the July 4 holiday, publishers Microsoft and AQ Interactive and developer Artoon will deploy willing gamers to fight for their independence in the intense action of Vampire Rain for Xbox 360. Rated M for Mature, Vampire Rain will be unleashed to retailers on July 3 with the estimated retail price of $59.99.

Vampire Rain combines stealth, survival horror and tactical shooter aspects and allows players to lead a black ops unit to liberate humankind from one of the deadliest supernatural enemies ever encountered in a video game. Known as Nightwalkers, this highly evolved new breed of Vampire is intensely fast with super agility and they are converting humans to their kind at an alarming rate. Stay out of sight and navigate around the enemy, or engage and destroy them through stealth.

With highly-developed senses and vicious reflexes, these bloodthirsty creatures are formidable foes. Direct assaults will almost certainly end in death without the right weapons, so a hunter s greatest weapon is stealth and the rain-soaked cityscape around them. Ultimately, the only sure way to eliminate the threat is to find and destroy the original Nightwalker the enemy who spawned all others. Remain a human or become a Nightwalker as the battle rages online and take advantage of multiplayer modes such as Team Deathmatch or Capture the Flame, and continue the brutal, vampyric conflict over Xbox LIVE.

Passive responses will no longer be sufficient to contain Nightwalkers. This Fourth of July let us unite in our efforts to thwart the Nightwalker s goal of world domination. We are fighting for our right to live to exist. Proceed cautiously.

About Artoon

Based in Yokohama, Japan, Artoon is a digital entertainment design, development and production company with rich talent and experience. The company was established in 1999 by Yoji Ishii and Naoto Oshima, co-creator of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 and part of Sega s Sonic Team. Centering on the design and development of original content, Artoon is mainly involved in the development of software through external cooperation, as well as the design and production of entertainment content in the mobile communication category. More information on Artoon can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.artoon.co.jp/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT ) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.