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 Today 
at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. became the first 
video game company ever to announce a comprehensive online game service fully 
dedicated to fast-action, always-connected broadband gaming experiences. The 
online console gaming service, named Xbox™ Live, launches in North America, 
Japan and Europe this fall for the Xbox video game system and ramps up with 
consumer beta programs starting this summer. Xbox Live will enable all gamers to 
find their friends easily; talk to other players during game play through the 
Xbox Communicator headset; download current statistics, new levels and 
characters to their Xbox hard drive; and play online. 
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