Sunday September 24, 01:07 AM
Game on as XBox lands in India
|
|
By Gasha Aeri
In a bid to capture the $25 bllion gaming console market, Microsoft on Saturday launched its new gaming console - The Xbox 360. Priced in India at Rs 19,990 and Rs 23,990 respectively for its two models namely, Xbox 360 core and Xbox 360 Pro, the new console aims to increase Microsoft's share in a market which is dominated by Sony Playstation. Presently Sony holds about 70% of the whole console market, whereas Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo command about 15% each. India is the 31st country to get the Xbox since its launch worldwide, last year. Peter Moore, Corporate Manager, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft, said "By March 2007, about 10 million gamers globally will be using the Xbox and we expect the number to go up to 13-15 million subsequently. We promise that Xbox 360 will change the culture of gaming and connectivity for youth." On the the Xbox 360, one can play games, music CDs and movie DVDs. One can also connect an MP3 player like Apple ipod and listen to music. The Xbox 360 also allows connectivity to a digital camera and view pictures. On the gaming console one can use up to 4 wireless controllers simultaneously. The India launch in New Delhi on Saturday was marked by much fanfare with Microsoft roping in Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and pop band Euphoria to enthuse the young gamers. Real time gaming was also allowed at the event. Gamers however, seemed divided. "If a person thinks of buying an Xbox, he should definitely wait for the Play station 3," said Anirudh Talwar, a gamer who was not pleased with the Xbox and found PS better. 20-year old Rajat however seemed pleased with Xbox. "The Xbox 360 will surely bring a revolution in the gaming industry. It has some great graphics and even the sound is like Dolby Digital." Experts however have a different opinion. "The entire gaming industry constitutes about 11-12 million people. But the figures are doubtful as the industry is plagued by piracy. However, the Indian gaming industry is a positive market with a lot of animation done over here. Also, a large number of gaming softwares are coming to India every year," said Sanjeev Sinha, General Manager, IDP India. According to a report by Wedbush Morgan Securities, the worldwide PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 sales will be tied at 23 million units each in 2007. In the $25 billion global video game market, the Xbox runs virtually neck-and-neck with Nintendo's GameCube but is dwarfed by PS2's 70% market share, according to KBC Securities. The current-generation PlayStation 2 owns the $10 billion US video game market and has outsold the Xbox by more than 2 to 1, with more than 30 million units Another report report forecasts that the US console market will grow from $8.7 billion for 2004 to $11.7 billion in 2010.
|
