Microsoft previewed its Xbox game line-up and online strategy to a crowded hall of journalists, retailers, and fans Monday. "The pipeline of Xbox games is jammed with new titles in every category," said Ed Fries, vice president of Xbox game content at Microsoft. "With 300 Xbox games in development and 200 games slated for the holiday season, gamers will have a mountain of high-quality titles to choose from this year. No other console has ever accomplished these types of numbers in its first year." Of particular interest to RPGers out there are:

"Star Wars(R): Knights of the Old Republic(TM)" (LucasArts Entertainment Company) presents a deep, engaging story- and character-driven role-playing game (RPG) set 4,000 years prior to the time frame revealed in the "Star Wars" films. The era, unexplored in any previous "Star Wars" game, is dominated by an enduring conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Developed in conjunction with BioWare Corp., the game will feature customizable male and female heroes, evolving playable characters and dynamic lightsaber combat. It will be available during the holiday season of 2002."

"Shenmue II" (Microsoft Game Studios). This epic adventure has all the elements of a great movie -- drama, mystery, suspense and action -- and offers a unique gameplaying experience that seamlessly blends elements of action, adventure, fighting and RPG games. Led by renowned developer Yu Suzuki, the group that developed the smash-hit fighting game "Virtua Fighter" is developing "Shenmue II." The game includes an advanced fighting system with more than 50 punches, kicks, holds and combos: the most developed fighting system for a nonfighting game. It will be available during the holiday season of 2002 in the United States."

Additionally, Microsoft unveiled its online gaming service, Xbox Live. While no information was given on exactly how Xbox Live will work, or what it might cost gamers, Microsoft was happy to inform the crowd that more than half of the games published by Microsoft Game Studios will have an online component. "We're committed not only to the future of the Xbox, but to the future of online gaming," Fries said. "Yesterday's blockbusters will become the online triumphs of the future."

Microsoft also briefly mentioned Project Ego and Star Wars Galaxies, but gave no new details on those games, beyond mentioning that Star Wars Galaxies will indeed have Xbox Live support. Finally, Mr. Fries chose to wax phillosophic about games and the Xbox. "The games industry is working every day to create a new form of entertainment that is fundamentally more involving, more powerful and more compelling than anything that has come before," Fries said. "That's really why we're joined by these creative geniuses: because Xbox is the most powerful weapon yet conceived to fight that battle. We are not just making games; we are changing entertainment itself." RPGamer will continue to bring you all the RPG Xbox coverage as it comes to us.