Technicolor, a Thomson multimedia business and the world's largest DVD, CD, videocassette manufacturer and distributor, today announced it has entered into a multi-year partnership with Microsoft to provide comprehensive manufacturing, assembly, packaging and distribution support for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. This includes both Microsoft direct and third-party publishing markets in North America and third party publishing markets in Europe.

Under the agreement, Technicolor is a technology, replication and distribution service provider for all Xbox game titles created by Microsoft and will manage the distribution center for Xbox systems and peripherals in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. In addition, Technicolor has been named one of a select few business partners for the new platform to service the third-party publishers in North America and Europe. This designation allows Technicolor to market its manufacturing and distribution services directly to Microsoft-licensed Xbox software developers.

The partnership builds on a long history of technology and manufacturing support that Technicolor has provided to Microsoft. This includes the development of turnkey optical disc manufacturing and distribution services. Technicolor is actively working with Microsoft to develop the core Xbox game disc platform that is at the heart of the Xbox system.