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Xbox 360 Records Its Biggest Year Ever
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REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Despite a tough economy,the gaming industry held strong in 2008 and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system recorded the biggest year in Xbox history, withmore consoles, games and online entertainment experiences sold than anyprevious year. It was a year in which life-to-date unit sales of Xbox 360systems climbed to 28 million consoles worldwide -- expanding the product'slead over Sony PlayStation 3 to more than 8 million units. The Xbox LIVEcommunity also grew to more than 17 million active members, as online consumerspending increased 84 percent from last year. Since the launch of the Xbox 360three years ago, more than $1 billion has been spent on Xbox LIVE. Thisamazing growth was fueled by the launch of the New Xbox Experience(1); thebroadest selection of hit games, TV shows, and movies available; and mass-market price points, starting at $199.
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Xbox 360 is experiencing record-setting sales around the globe,particularly in Japan and Europe, nearly doubling market share in these keyterritories. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) specifically, Xbox360 has now sold more than 8 million units, extending its lead over the PS3 bymore than 1 million units.
"For Xbox, 2008 will be remembered around the world as a pivotal growthyear at retail and online -- even in the face of tough economic conditions,"said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive EntertainmentBusiness at Microsoft. "Worldwide, a record number of players flocked to ourbroadest games and entertainment lineup ever, while the New Xbox Experiencethrilled millions of fans by making our console even more engaging. And yet,we've only provided a glimpse into the new world of interactive entertainmentthat we're imagining. The best of Xbox 360 is yet to come."
One of the biggest trends in 2008 was consumers taking advantage of theconvenience and value with digital distribution of games and entertainmentcontent. One of the most popular offerings this holiday was Netflix on Xbox360, which as a Netflix member provides users with access to unlimited viewingof more than 12,000 movies and TV shows in DVD quality as well as many in highdefinition. (2) In addition, Xbox LIVE is home to the largest library ofdownloadable games, game add-ons, movies and TV shows.
Between Christmas and New Year's Day, Xbox LIVE experienced its busiestweek ever, with a record of more than 1.5 million concurrent members online.During that week, some of the most popular movies, TV shows, arcade games andgame add-ons included these:
Movies -- "The Dark Knight" -- "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" (unrated) -- "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" -- "Iron Man" -- "Tropic Thunder" TV Shows -- "South Park" -- "Family Guy" -- "The Office" -- "House" -- "Heroes" Arcade Games -- A Kingdom for Keflings -- Castle Crashers -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix -- Puzzle Arcade -- Worms Game Add-Ons -- "Rock Band(R)" -- "Guitar Hero(R)" -- "Halo 3" -- "Gears of War(R) 2" -- "Call of Duty(R) 4" About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home tothe best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies andTV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digitalcenter of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, includingpersonal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create alimitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across theglobe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries toeach other and the entertainment they love. Home of more entertainment fromone remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, XboxLIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, nomatter where they are - in the living room or across the world. Moreinformation and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online athttp://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader insoftware, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize theirfull potential.
(1) 128 MB available space required for the New Xbox Experience. Hard drive recommended for Xbox LIVE, and is required for some features. Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or other fees may apply. See http://www.xbox.com/live. (2) Requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix unlimited subscription plan. More details about the Netflix service are available in the Netflix Terms of Use.SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
Xbox 360 is experiencing record-setting sales around the globe,particularly in Japan and Europe, nearly doubling market share in these keyterritories. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) specifically, Xbox360 has now sold more than 8 million units, extending its lead over the PS3 bymore than 1 million units.
"For Xbox, 2008 will be remembered around the world as a pivotal growthyear at retail and online -- even in the face of tough economic conditions,"said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive EntertainmentBusiness at Microsoft. "Worldwide, a record number of players flocked to ourbroadest games and entertainment lineup ever, while the New Xbox Experiencethrilled millions of fans by making our console even more engaging. And yet,we've only provided a glimpse into the new world of interactive entertainmentthat we're imagining. The best of Xbox 360 is yet to come."
One of the biggest trends in 2008 was consumers taking advantage of theconvenience and value with digital distribution of games and entertainmentcontent. One of the most popular offerings this holiday was Netflix on Xbox360, which as a Netflix member provides users with access to unlimited viewingof more than 12,000 movies and TV shows in DVD quality as well as many in highdefinition. (2) In addition, Xbox LIVE is home to the largest library ofdownloadable games, game add-ons, movies and TV shows.
Between Christmas and New Year's Day, Xbox LIVE experienced its busiestweek ever, with a record of more than 1.5 million concurrent members online.During that week, some of the most popular movies, TV shows, arcade games andgame add-ons included these:
Movies -- "The Dark Knight" -- "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" (unrated) -- "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" -- "Iron Man" -- "Tropic Thunder" TV Shows -- "South Park" -- "Family Guy" -- "The Office" -- "House" -- "Heroes" Arcade Games -- A Kingdom for Keflings -- Castle Crashers -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix -- Puzzle Arcade -- Worms Game Add-Ons -- "Rock Band(R)" -- "Guitar Hero(R)" -- "Halo 3" -- "Gears of War(R) 2" -- "Call of Duty(R) 4" About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home tothe best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies andTV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digitalcenter of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, includingpersonal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create alimitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across theglobe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries toeach other and the entertainment they love. Home of more entertainment fromone remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, XboxLIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, nomatter where they are - in the living room or across the world. Moreinformation and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online athttp://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader insoftware, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize theirfull potential.
(1) 128 MB available space required for the New Xbox Experience. Hard drive recommended for Xbox LIVE, and is required for some features. Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or other fees may apply. See http://www.xbox.com/live. (2) Requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix unlimited subscription plan. More details about the Netflix service are available in the Netflix Terms of Use.SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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