X03: Microsoft allies with Epic Games

Microsoft has used its hour-long press conference in Nice, France this evening to unveil a new strategic agreement with Unreal designers Epic Games, who - along with recently formed subsidiary Scion Studios - will develop several new titles exclusively for Xbox (and the PC). Unfortunately said games weren't announced this evening, but they will be published by MS Games Studios.

Epic is no stranger to Xbox of course, having worked alongside development chums Digital Extremes on one of the first Xbox Live-enabled titles - Unreal Championship. A port of PC FPS Unreal II: The Awakening, based on an Epic property, is also due out this year.