Xbox to spur gaming in India

HYDERABAD: Microsoft expects to have a worldwide sale of 10 million units of Xbox 360 by the end of November this year, ahead of the release of the gaming console in India.

 Announcing this at a press conference here, Mohit Anand, country manager, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, India said that the company had sold 5 - 5.5 million units by June this year.

 Xbox 360 is slated for an India release in the pre-Diwali season. ``We are eager to invest in India and we have long term plans for India,’’ said Anand.

 ``The Xbox will serve to be a catalyst to fuel the growth of gaming in India and expose Indian gamers to next generation gaming experience,’’ added Anand.

 Xbox 360 was first introduced to the market in North America, Europe and Japan in 2005. Earlier this year, Microsoft had launched the gaming console in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. By 2007 the company hopes to Xbox presence in 40 countries.

 ``By the end of the year, before our competitors come with their own, we would have the global leadership,’’ claims Anand.

 Xbox 360 system comes with a 20 GB detachable hard drive to enable storing music, video and games. Highlight of the console is that its remote control can be also be used for television sets and DVD players. The Xbox also has flash drive and users can play music from their iPods, MP3 players and other portable devices.

 Piracy-proof: Microsoft agog with the fact that the Xbox console cannot be replicated. ``Piracy is not possible. Even if someone comes out with a chip, it would fit only on a single Xbox,’’ claimed Anand. The pricing, he added, is cheaper than the grey market.

 In India, Xbox would have two price points – Premium and Classic. While Premium would have consoles released initially, those launched six months later feature in the Classic category.

 The Xbox 360 Core Systems would be priced at Rs 19,990 while Xbox 360 System can be had for Rs 23,990. The former comes without a hard drive and has a wired controller.

 Microsoft would also set up 10-15 flagship stores across seven cities in the country, revealed Anand.

 The cities where the stores are to be set up are Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. ``The flagship stores would be led by retail partners,’’ said Anand.

 Last month Microsoft had appointed Redington India as the sole distribution partner of Xbox 360 in the country.

 Though the console was developed in the US, some system works were carried out in Microsoft India Development Centre in Hyderabad. Anand also stated that Xbox 360 would be available on installments.

 © CyberMedia News