‘Halo: Combat Evolved,’  is a first-person shooter video game developed by the downtown Bellevue based gaming company Bungie. Many game magazines have praised Halo as one of the best and most important games of all time.  The game is a 10th anniversary edition of the original ‘Halo,’ which has now been remastered.

Partygoers will receive free pizza. And 107.7 The End will provide entertainment and music. Be sure to join in on the tournament action for great prizes.

There has been much speculation about Kemper Freeman’s campaigns against Initiative 1125, which would prohibit converting highway lanes to light-rail tracks. Microsoft on the other hand has been for the Initiative. The contribution to the Tateuchi Center from both parties has been made to be seen as symbolism that disagreeing on 1 topic does not mean that parties cannot come together and be productive on another. Statements from both groups were made publicly to reinforce this sentiment.

It’s important to note that both parties have previously made significant contributions to the project already. Microsoft has previously donated $1.1 million, and Freeman has made what is likely the most significant and visionary contribution to the project – the land itself. The land is valued at $8 million.

The project, which brings a 2,000-seat concert hall and 250-seat cabaret theater to Bellevue, needs about $80 million more to be raised before they can break ground on it, according to John Haynes, Tateuchi Executive Director and CEO.

The Bellevue Collection has a YouTube channel, where they regularly post videos about nightlife, dining, events, and topics of interest. The Bellevue Collection is made up of all the shops, restaurants, and hotels located at Lincoln Square, Bellevue Square, and Bellevue Place. It houses over 250 retail brands and one of the biggest annual fashion weeks.

Bellevue Collection’s YouTube channel is a fun way to get a glimpse of what Bellevue has to offer and is a good resource for visitors. One of my favorite videos on their channel is a recap of the Microsoft Store Opening.

Last week ifoAppleStore.com, a website that follows Apple’s retail news, reported that the Bellevue Square Apple store will move  locations and expand later this year. The Apple Store at Bellevue Square is currently located on the 1st floor within the Nordstrom wing.

The report states that the Apple Store will relocate to the 2nd floor next to Papyrus, where Talbots and Bailey Banks & Biddle retail stores were previously located. The current store is 4,600 square feet, and the speculated new space would more than double the current store’s size.

The store move (if accurate) is likely motivated by Apple’s small store in Belleveue Square that is always packed, coupled with the Microsoft Store opening their flagship location in Bellevue Square earlier this year, only a few doors down.  The report also points out that every customer leaving that Microsoft Store would see the Apple store when looking up.

The report does not state when the move will take place, but does state that it will happen this year.

Image Credit: ifoAppleStore.com

Microsoft has an enormous footprint in Downtown Bellevue and occupies office locations at The Bravern, City Center, Bellevue Place, Civica, and Lincoln Square. The funds that the City of Bellevue receives from Microsoft will be put into the AFD Fund.

Click here for the full release from Microsoft.

Apolo Ohno attracted a large crowd, playing KINECT with customers, at the Microsoft Store, in Bellevue Square, Friday night. This was followed by the highly anticipated concert on Saturday featuring Miley Cyrus. Many patrons waited up to 12 hours to get free tickets for the event. These tickets were given away on the grand opening morning.

Enjoy pictures below from the weekend.

Microsoft Grand Opening T-Shirt Giveaway!
To celebrate the grand opening of the Microsoft stor,e we have 10 Microsoft Grand Opening T-shirts to give away. To win a T-Shirt send an email to info@downtownbellevue with the following subject line: “I want to KINECT with downtownbellevue.com” and you will be entered to win. All entries must be in by 8 PM on Wednesday, November 24. Winners will be selected at random.

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When the curtains dropped it was a proud moment for Microsoft. The 7th Microsoft branded retail store opened Thursday at Bellevue Square. The Store is in Microsoft’s backyard, and will be heavily trafficked by ‘Microsoftees’ as Steve Ballmer mentioned in his short, yet enthusiastic speech to the public.

Beginning as early as late afternoon Wednesday customers started lining up to get their chance to see the new Microsoft Store at Bellevue Square, as well as to ensure that they would receive a ticket to the Miley Cyrus concert that Microsoft promised to the first 2,000 customers.

The Microsoft Store at Bellevue Square brings together an immersive experience showcasing productivity software, computers, Xbox, Kinect, Windows Mobile 7, and several other related gadgets.

Interesting facts about the Bellevue Square Microsoft Store opening:

• Only a handful of software titles are featured on the shelf at the store, but in back there is a system that has over 2,000 software titles.  This system can burn a CD of the requested software for customers.
• On Thursday at the opening Microsoft  gave away $1.4MM in charitable donations within the community including: Cleveland High School – $200K, Bellevue School District – $200K, First Robotics – $500K, King County Public Library – $500K
• The store ran out of tickets for the Miley Cyrus concert at 2 PM on Thursday
• There is a dedicated associate at the Bellevue Square store for community outreach (40 hours per week)
• The store is 5,374 Square Feet
• There are 50-60 employees on staff
• When Mika Krammer, general manager of merchandising was asked about the similarities to the Apple Store design she answered by saying “We took the best from all of retail.”
• Krammer also communicated that Microsoft would see slightly faster pacing of new stores in 2011

The night was topped off with a secret, and unexpected concert. At 5:00 PM Microsoft leaked the concert details that included Dave Matthews Band to play outside the Microsoft store at 7:00 PM.  The Dave Matthews Band performance lasted for an hour with viewers trying to get as close as they could to watch the free performance.

The weekend celebration continues with several events including an appearance by Apolo Ohno on Friday, and a Miley Cyrus concert on Saturday.

Today the Bellevue Square Microsoft Store had its grand opening event.  Here the morning told through photos.

Stay tuned for a recap of the grand opening later this evening.

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Microsoft will celebrate the opening of its seventh store with a variety of events throughout the weekend on Thursday, Nov. 18, – Saturday, Nov. 20 at Bellevue Square.

Thursday, November 18th

• 12:00am-7:00am Midnight Madness: KEXP DJ Darek Mazzone, Emcee Kevin Joyce, and break dancing crew The Massive Monkees will entertain campers in line for the Microsoft Store opening from midnight to 7am at the new Microsoft Store. Refreshments will be provided by Where Ya At Creole Soul Food.
• 9:30-10am Grand Opening Ceremony: Will take place at 9:30-10am. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner will present more than $1 million in technology grants to local organizations.
• 10am Doors Open: The Microsoft Store will open its doors at 10am and give away gift bags to celebrate. The store plans to offer deals on PCs, Windows Phone 7, and Xbox releases.

Friday, November 19th

• 5-7pm Apolo Ohno Appearance: The celebration will continue on Friday, Nov. 19. Store visitors will have the chance to play KINECT games with World Champion short-track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno at 5-7pm.

Saturday, November 20th

• 4pm Miley Cyrus Concert: In honor of the new Microsoft Store’s grand opening, Miley Cyrus will perform a concert at 4pm Saturday, Nov. 20, in downtown Bellevue. Tickets will be given away to the first 2,000 customers who visit the store on Thursday, Nov. 18.The first 1000 people to visit the store when it opens on Thursday 11/18 will receive 2 wristbands to a Premiere viewing area for the concert (limit 2 per person). General admission wristbands will be available for the next 1000 customers (limit 2 per person).

Miley Cyrus will perform at 4pm Saturday, Nov. 20. A stage will be set up in the parking lot across the street from Safeway, at the corner of Bellevue Way NE and NE 4th Street.

The first 1,000 people to visit the new Microsoft Store on Thursday, Nov. 18, will each receive two premier tickets to the concert. The store will then give away general admission tickets. The Microsoft Store, located at 116 Bellevue Square, opens at 10am Thursday, Nov. 18, and lines are expected to form in advance.