Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network, announced today that the service has been awarded a prestigious Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Technology and Advanced New Media. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) will honor Xbox Live for Outstanding Achievement in Multiplayer-Backend Console Game Technology, in recognition of pioneering leadership and continuous innovation, as part of the upcoming 57th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards on September 29, 2005 in Princeton, New Jersey.

  Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with more than 300 games planned by end of holiday 2005 for Xbox and Xbox 360 across 24 countries worldwide. As the first global, unified online console games network connecting more than 2 million members worldwide, Xbox Live continues to take online gameplay and entertainment to unprecedented heights.

  Founded in 1955, NATAS presents Emmy awards in the area of Technology & Engineering, for ground-breaking work in television broadcast and production systems, interactive television and other new media technologies.

  "Gaming and its particular needs have been a significant source of new technology development in the areas of video and television-centric activities. It is quite natural that this work should be recognized in the same way we've recognized the achievements in broadcast technology," said Seth Haberman, Chair of Video Gaming and Technology awards panel for NATAS. "Given Microsoft's long considerable achievement in the area of gaming, I was particularly proud that the committee was able to acknowledge those efforts with an Emmy."

  "Xbox Live is the ultimate online gaming experience avidly enjoyed by millions of gamers around world," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft. "We are extremely honored to receive this Emmy Award in recognition of our pioneering innovation in advanced new media and online gaming technology and entertainment."

  This is really cool, I did not know that NATAS (the Emmy's) included interactive entertainment.