The company expects the Xbox 360 to drive sales over its key rivals, Sony Corp. (SNE) and Nintendo Co. (7974.OK) in the growing Indian market, said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president of global retail sales and marketing at Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division.
"Our target is to sell 5 million to 5.5 million Xbox 360's (globally) by June," Koch told a news conference.
"By June 2007, we will have over 6 million users. By 2007, we should be in over 40 countries," he added.
Retail bookings for the Xbox 360, which was initially launched in North America, Europe and Japan in late 2005, will commence from June 9 in seven cities in India, said Koch. Deliveries of the product will start by October.
He said India is among eight additional countries where the Xbox 360 will be introduced this year.
Microsoft is aiming to tap the modest but growing number of gamers in India to sell the Xbox 360, said Koch.
"The gaming culture is not fully developed in India. So, there is an opportunity to build the market," said Koch. He didn't provide a sales target for the Xbox in India, but said the company will offer financing options and other incentives to attract customers.
The Xbox 360 core system plus a game title will be priced at INR19,990, while the Xbox 360 system has been priced at INR23,990.
Ravi Venkatesan, chairman of Microsoft India said the economic boom in India has led to higher disposable incomes among youth and an increase in consumption, which will help drive sales of the Xbox 360.
He said there are an estimated 1.6 million active gamers in India, leaving ample for growth.
Source: MarketWatch
Source: MarketWatch
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