Microsoft launches Xbox 360 gaming in India

New Delhi -- Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division on Tuesday launched Xbox 360 that, the gaming division claimed, would expose Indian video gamers to next generation gaming experience.

"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 a novice will be pitted against a novice and not against an expert," Mohit Anand, Manager of Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division in India, said after the launch.

Anand was in Hyderabad to declare the launch of Xbox 360 gaming console in the Indian market in the pre-Diwali season.

Xbox 360 sold 5.5 million units since its roll-out in the United States, Europe and Japan in 2005 and will serve as a substance to accelerate this growth and expose Indian gamers to next generation gaming experiences, Anand said.

"Within 8 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. "At present, there are 3 million global users of this gaming service and by June 2007, this number is expected to increase to 6 million," he added.

Xbox 360 will come fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Medium Remote Control and a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, and Internet cable, and batteries.

The device comes out with 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 exclusively partnered Redington for distribution of the Xbox 360 core systems in India. Adidas, MTV and Samsung are the other associates partnered with the launch.

The gaming device will be made available in 1,200-1,400 stores. Ten to fifteen major stores will also be opened in seven cities across India. Near about 25 gaming titles are available with the company for launch in India and nearly seven titles will be added every month.

"We are also looking at consumer financing options wherein a person can pay through an equated monthly installment scheme for the product," Anand informed.

Xbox 360 is aimed at males within the age group of 14-35. India has 1.6 million active gamers with Hyderabad having the highest number of gamers, Anand said.