REDMOND, Wash., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
announced that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has sold
over 10 million units in the U.S., making it the first current-generation
gaming console to break the 10 million mark in the U.S. The U.S. install
base contributes to global sales of over 19 million, more than any other
current-generation console.
"This year will be the largest in the history of the video game
industry, with Xbox 360 leading the charge in the U.S. and abroad," said
Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment
Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "History
has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales
wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new
benchmark for the industry."
This announcement comes on the heels of one of the biggest
entertainment launches in history, "Grand Theft Auto IV," on April 29,
2008. Gamers eager to experience "Grand Theft Auto IV" online helped boost
Xbox LIVE global membership to over 12 million this month. Fueled by an
unparalleled combination of access to friends and family, the best online
gaming features, and the best entertainment content, the Xbox LIVE service
has doubled in membership in only one year's time.
"Reaching an installed base of 10 million consoles in the U.S. is a
significant achievement and an essential milestone on the road to market
leadership," said Billy Pidgeon, research manager at IDC. "Perhaps more
important is the Xbox 360 worldwide online base -- 12 million Xbox LIVE
gamers is the largest community in the connected console games sector,
which represents the greatest growth opportunity in the console market and
where Microsoft has been the leader for two generations."
Xbox 360 leads with the industry's highest software attach rate, more
than any other console this generation, and is home to the best-selling
games. With the launch of "Grand Theft Auto IV" in April, Xbox 360 is now
the home to more than 16 platinum titles that have sold through 1 million
units or more, including hits such as "Halo 3," "Madden NFL 07" and "Madden
NFL 08," "Gears of War," "Guitar Hero II" and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of
Rock," and "Call of Duty(R) 2," Call of Duty 3" and "Call of Duty 4: Modern
Warfare," giving Xbox 360 two times more platinum-selling titles than the
Wii and a 16:2 lead over the PlayStation 3 in game titles topping one
million in sales. Games not only sell better on the Xbox 360, they play
better, too: Xbox 360 has 91 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or
higher, compared with just 22 titles for Wii and 50 titles for PlayStation
3.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering
the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming
network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a portfolio of nearly 400
games in 37 countries. More information can be found online at
http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online
entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console
experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and
entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360
system. Xbox LIVE connects more than 12 million of members across 37
countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via
Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV
shows and movies in the United States as well as new game levels,
characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More
information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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