GC: 'Xbox 360 is only option for next 12 months' - Lewis

Following the revelation of next-gen exclusivity on market-leading football franchises FIFA and PES, a confident European Xbox boss Chris Lewis has claimed Microsoft now has the console war sewn up for the year ahead.

Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer TV immediately after the firm's press conference at the Leipzig Games Convention, where the US giant revealed that EA's FIFA '07 and Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 6 would be exclusive to 360, Lewis said: "It's a great opportunity for us to reinforce the fact that for next-generation gaming, Xbox 360 is the only option for the next 12 months. And given the religious fervour for football in Europe it's particularly important to be able to make an announcement like that here in Leipzig."

Eurogamer TV is now showing a video report on the announcement and Lewis' post-event reaction, the Xbox chief bullish on the console's prospects this Christmas ahead of the launch of arch rival Sony's PlayStation 3.

The full, exclusive interview with Chris Lewis will be broadcast on EGTV early next week.