Electronic Arts eyes Europe with Xbox 360

Electronic Arts is gearing up for the Xbox 360 launch in a big way, and it's looking to make a splash this week at Microsoft's X05 event in Amsterdam. Today the company announced that it would be showcasing five playable Xbox 360 launch games at the event: Need for Speed Most Wanted, FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, and Madden NFL 06.

"EA will have our biggest game franchises like Need For Speed, FIFA, and NBA Live ready for the launch of Xbox 360 so that the first game experience on the new system is unforgettable," said EA executive vice president and general manager of North American publishing Frank Gibeau.

The release also saw the first official confirmation that "a new title from the Burnout Revenge franchise" was under development for the Xbox 360.

EA's European plans don't end with the X05 event. Late last week the company announced that it will copublish Namco's Ridge Racer 6 for the Xbox 360 in PAL territories, though it's unknown at the moment if the company intends that to be a European launch game.

The confirmation of Need for Speed Most Wanted as a launch game plays into rumors making the rounds that Microsoft Game Studios' rival racing game, Project Gotham Racing 3, will miss the Xbox 360 launch. Perhaps the X05 event will shed a little more light on the situation. X05 runs Tuesday and Wednesday in Amsterdam. Check back during the week for updates from globe-trotting GameSpot staffers.