Got Game? Survey Ranks Top Cities in America for Video Gaming

Seattle confirmed as epicenter of interactive entertainment by Microsoft and Sperling’s BestPlaces.

REDMOND, Wash -- May 2, 2006 -- Seattle, known for coffee, grunge rock music and airplanes, now has a new crown. Microsoft Corp. and Sperling’s BestPlaces today bestowed on the title of top video gaming city in the United States. edged out larger metropolitan areas such as , , and Washington, D.C., as the center of the interactive entertainment universe for both console and Microsoft® Windows®-based PC gaming in a survey analyzing select consumer behaviors in the gaming industry.

“The large amount of games played on Xbox Live® and the high number of video games owned put Seattle at the top of list, but clearly the survey confirms that games are sweeping the U.S.,” said Bert Sperling, founder of Sperling’s BestPlaces.

Sperling commissioned the survey based on the number of video game systems owned per household — Xbox 360™, Xbox®, Window-based PCs, PlayStation 2 and GameCube — number of games purchased, number of game rentals, and frequency of online gameplay via Xbox Live or Windows games, among other factors.

The top 15 U.S. gaming cities are as follows:

1.Seattle

2.Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

3.Atlanta

4.Detroit

5.Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.

6.Washington, D.C.

7.St. Louis

8.Boston

9.San Diego

10.Philadelphia

11.Chicago

12.Dallas

13.Houston

14.San Francisco

15.New York

The video game industry is growing in popularity among all age groups and both genders. The average age of a gamer is 30, and 19 percent of gamers are older than 50. Men currently dominate the industry; however, the gap is closing, with approximately 55 percent of players being male and approximately 43 percent female.*

About Sperling’s BestPlaces

Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own “Best Place” to live, work and retire for nearly 20 years. His firm, Sperling’s BestPlaces, puts facts in the hands of the public so they can make better decisions about best places to live, work, retire, play, or relocate. More information about Bert and his studies is available at www.bestplaces.net.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. The system was first launched in North America, Europe and Japan in 2005 and then in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Games for Windows

Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world for games, delivering the widest range of titles, the most gaming hardware choices, and advanced gaming technology for players of all types. With Windows as the cornerstone, the Games for Windows platform offers publishers and gamers the most enjoyable and innovative gaming experiences available on a PC. More information can be found online at http://www.gamesforwindows.com.

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.

* Results from 2005 Entertainment Software Association findings

Microsoft, Windows, Xbox Live, Xbox 360 and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Contact Information

Edelman Seattle

Interactive Entertainment Business

Microsoft Corp.

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