Microsoft has just announced a series of two-day events where you can be among the first in Europe to play on an Xbox

Microsoft has come up with a way for UK gamers to get their hands on the console and some of its hottest launch titles as early as November 17th, just two days after the US launch.

Obviously Microsoft isn't planning to give consoles away, or even to let you purchase one, but if you're able to get to one of the four Xbox Xperience venues on the dates shown you'll be able to play the likes of Project Gotham Racing, Halo, Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee -- way ahead of their European releases. You'll also be able to visit the video zone for demonstrations of the Xbox's sound, light and FMV capabilities and you'll be able to relax in the X Zone, "a futuristic chill-out area" where, among other things, you'll be able to pre-order a console for March.

The Xperience will be open 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays, entry is free, and registration is not necessary. If you'd like to pre-register and guarantee yourself a place in the priority queue for one of the venues below simply visit the MSN site.

London Xperience
Saturday 17 November - Sunday 16 December ,2001
Nutopia, 42 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, WC2
10am - 7pm

Birmingham Xperience
Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 November, 2001
The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9
10am - 7pm

Manchester Xperience
Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 December, 2001
Freemasons Hall, 36 Bridge Street, Manchester M3
10am - 7pm

Glasgow Xperience
Saturday 8 - Sunday 9 December, 2001
The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1
10am - 7pm

GameSpot UK has a channel devoted to the latest Xbox news, reviews and previews. Check it out here.

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