| "The Xbox Live gaming service is a closed user group community. It is an online gaming service where a player is pitted against another user through the online medium. The service has a rating system through which the pairing of a gamer with another is based on his calibre. This means that a novice will be pitted against a novice and not against an expert," Mohit Anand, country manager, Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division, told mediapersons. |
| "At present, there are three million global users of this gaming service and by June 2007, this number is expected to increase to six million," he added. |
| Anand was in Hyderabad to announce the launch of Xbox 360 gaming console in the Indian market in the pre-Diwali season. |
| Xbox 360 includes two product offerings. While the core system of Xbox 360 and one game title is priced at Rs 19,990, the Xbox 360 System comes with a price tag of Rs 23,990. Microsoft has partnered Redington for distribution of the product in India. Adidas, MTV and Samsung are the other partners associated with the launch. |
| The product will be made available in 1,200-1,400 stores. Ten to 15 flagship stores will also be opened in seven cities across India. By the end of 2006, the product will be made available in 30 countries across the globe. |
| "Within eight months of its launch, 5.5 million consoles have been sold. By November 2006, we expect this number to grow to 10 million," Anand said. Around 25 gaming titles are available with the company for launch in India. Around seven titles will be added every month. |
| The division also plans to launch different pricing for game titles. While the premium catalogue will have the latest titles, six months down the line, these would move to the classic catalogue. |
| "We are also looking at consumer financing options wherein a person can pay through an equated monthly installment scheme for the product," he added. |
| Xbox 360 is targeted at males within the age group of 14-35. India, Anand said, had 1.6 million active gamers with the highest incidence in gaming being in Hyderabad. |
| Microsoft builds sales chain for Xbox : https://www.business-standard.com/search/storypage_new.php?leftnm=8&leftindx=8&subLeft=&autono=100277 |
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