14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is one happy company these days, mainly when it comes to its videogames division. Yesterday, we reported how the numbers from Japan show the Xbox 360 Arcade coming close behind the Nintendo Wii in sales and now the European markets seem to be reacting to the reduction in price. The NPD numbers which will come out for September are also expected to see the Xbox 360 on the rise in North America.
Chris Lewis, who is the vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business division of Microsoft, has pointed out that “We’re very excited that more consumers in Europe are joining the ever-growing Xbox 360 community”. There are more than 6 million Xbox 360 users in Europe.
The overall prices in Europe have been cut by about 54 dollars and both the Arcade and the Premium versions of the Microsoft made consoles are now priced below the Nintendo Wii. Given the fact that the Premium console even sports a hard drive, which the Arcade and the Wii do not have, it may prove to be a great purchase option for the European customers looking for a good console to buy for Christmas, either for themselves or as a gift.
Microsoft is not resting on its laurels. It plans to maintain momentum and keep the initiative by launching a very aggressive advertising campaign that will be focused on the upcoming releases for its console. Titles like Lips. Scene It?, Fable II and You're in the Movies will be promoted mainly because of their appeal to the gamer typology which will be interested in the Xbox 360.
Chris Lewis also said that “We’re now the best-value next-gen console on the market with an entry-level ERP of £129.99, and consumers have clearly responded to that offering”. It remains to be seen whether this is a trend that will continue in the coming weeks and months or whether it is just a spike in the sales numbers that will quickly disappear.