Microsoft Games (PC)
www.microsoft.com/games

Microsoft was in prime form and dominated a huge section of the South hall this year with their giant booth split into distinct PC and Xbox sections. More than a half-dozen new games were on display for the PC including the highly anticipated PC release for Halo and perhaps the most impressive online game ever conceived - Mythica. Here's a peek at a few of the exciting PC games we can look forward to this year.

Age of Mythology: The Titans
This expansion adds a fourth mythology, the Atlanteans, to the existing Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythologies. A new single-player campaign will add yet another chapter to the franchise's expansive folklore along with the addition of new scenarios. Atlantean players will be able to call upon the might of the Titan gods (such as Atlas and Cronus) multiple times throughout the game, and may also upgrade human units to heroes. The expansion pack will introduce 12 new god powers, 15 new human units and 10 formidable myth units to the game.

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Mythica
Mythica is a new breed of massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that casts you in the role of an immortal in the mythological world of the Norse gods. As a fallen hero that has ascended to the afterlife, you set out across the Norse planes of existence on epic quests to earn your godhood. You will endure heroic trials, answer the prayers of the faithful, and eventually gather enough energy and worship to transcend your immortal present to realize a godly future. Standing side by side with the Norse gods of old, you’ll attempt to hold back the Fire Giants on the plane of Muspellheim.

With new Private Realms Technology, Mythica redefines the massively multiplayer category, combining the richness of a single-player role-playing game with the social experience of a massively multiplayer game. Players can choose an adventure with a band of fellow players in huge public areas populated by other players or enter a Private Realm to take on handcrafted, individual quests with destructible environments, cinematics and engaging storylines. Look for this groundbreaking title in 2004.

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Rise of Nations
Dominate 6,000 years of history from the Ancient Age to the Information Age. Which forces will you deploy to lead your nation to global prominence? Trade, espionage, diplomacy…war? Whichever path you choose, you’ll experience the pulse pounding thrill and speed of real-time gaming combined with the epic scope and depth of turn-based strategy games – brought together for the first time ever in Rise of Nations.

In Rise of Nations, you'll create new cities, improve city infrastructures and expand national borders. Conquer foes through military might using everything from sling-shots to cannons to stealth bombers to nuclear weapons; corner the market on key commodities and consolidate power under your rule; wheel and deal across time with history's eminent cultures.

This epic strategy game should be in stores by the time you read this article.

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Halo
Halo, the award-winning and critically acclaimed science fiction epic adventure, is coming to the PC, courtesy of Bungie and Gearbox Software. Packed with action, Halo contains all the thrilling gameplay and rich story that made it a smash hit with gamers all over the world. Now you can take the battle online with all new multiplayer including new maps, weapons and vehicles available only on your PC!

Live the rich sci-fi epic adventure that is Halo! Experience the ultimate Halo challenge with all new online multiplayer for up to 16 players in any of the 15 multiplayer maps including 6 brand new maps never before seen! Unleash destruction with incredible weapons and vehicles including brand new armaments for intense online multiplayer games.

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