Friday, May 29th 2009
Microsoft Xbox 360 Sees Record Growth in 2009
Microsoft Corp. announced today that sales of Xbox 360 consoles have passed the 30 million mark globally, with its Xbox LIVE community swelling to more than 20 million active members. After the biggest year in its history in 2008, Xbox 360 achieved the highest percentage growth in hardware sales of any console so far in 2009, up 28 percent over the previous year.
The success of the platform can be measured across the business, with Xbox LIVE now considered the world's largest global entertainment network. Increasing consumer desire to connect with friends, download and enjoy blockbuster movies and TV shows, and extend the life of their favorite games has been the primary driver behind the growth of Xbox LIVE membership and the reason Xbox continues to expand offerings on the platform.
"We've always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally."
Over the course of this console generation, U.S. consumers alone have spent $14.5 billion across all categories on Xbox 360 at retail. This number reflects strong interest in a comprehensive entertainment offering that includes the ability to connect with others socially and to digitally download entertainment, be it games, TV shows or movies. To date, consumers have downloaded nearly 1 billion pieces of gaming and entertainment content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, including a broad array of premium high- and standard-definition movies and TV shows from top studios and networks around the world.
In addition, Xbox 360 continues to be the platform of choice for the industry's top games, generating $5.9 billion in sales to date at U.S. retail for third-party publishers, which is more than those of current-generation consoles combined. Xbox 360 also leads current-generation consoles in game purchases, with consumers owning an average of 8.3 titles each.
Activity on Xbox LIVE, the industry-leading online gaming and entertainment service, surged following the launch of the New Xbox Experience in November 2008. Since that time, the community has recorded a 136 percent increase in new members, TV and movie downloads have more than doubled, and purchases of games, Game Add-ons and more on Xbox LIVE Arcade have increased by 70 percent. Xbox LIVE reaches 26 countries worldwide and is now in more homes than any satellite television provider. Before the end of the year, the number of Xbox LIVE members will surpass the number of subscribers to the largest cable provider. Consumers can expect more exciting announcements from Microsoft next week as Xbox 360 kicks off the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, with its press briefing on Monday, June 1, in Los Angeles.
Source:
Microsoft
The success of the platform can be measured across the business, with Xbox LIVE now considered the world's largest global entertainment network. Increasing consumer desire to connect with friends, download and enjoy blockbuster movies and TV shows, and extend the life of their favorite games has been the primary driver behind the growth of Xbox LIVE membership and the reason Xbox continues to expand offerings on the platform.
"We've always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally."
Over the course of this console generation, U.S. consumers alone have spent $14.5 billion across all categories on Xbox 360 at retail. This number reflects strong interest in a comprehensive entertainment offering that includes the ability to connect with others socially and to digitally download entertainment, be it games, TV shows or movies. To date, consumers have downloaded nearly 1 billion pieces of gaming and entertainment content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, including a broad array of premium high- and standard-definition movies and TV shows from top studios and networks around the world.
In addition, Xbox 360 continues to be the platform of choice for the industry's top games, generating $5.9 billion in sales to date at U.S. retail for third-party publishers, which is more than those of current-generation consoles combined. Xbox 360 also leads current-generation consoles in game purchases, with consumers owning an average of 8.3 titles each.
Activity on Xbox LIVE, the industry-leading online gaming and entertainment service, surged following the launch of the New Xbox Experience in November 2008. Since that time, the community has recorded a 136 percent increase in new members, TV and movie downloads have more than doubled, and purchases of games, Game Add-ons and more on Xbox LIVE Arcade have increased by 70 percent. Xbox LIVE reaches 26 countries worldwide and is now in more homes than any satellite television provider. Before the end of the year, the number of Xbox LIVE members will surpass the number of subscribers to the largest cable provider. Consumers can expect more exciting announcements from Microsoft next week as Xbox 360 kicks off the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, with its press briefing on Monday, June 1, in Los Angeles.
22 Comments on Microsoft Xbox 360 Sees Record Growth in 2009
No need for a Satellite it brings everything down your internet connection.
Its in the Uk at least. Woo!
That sky tv sounds interesting.:cool:
Shame their accessories are priced pretty badly, I want that 120GB HDD but not paying that amount for it, come on MS. Wonder what they have up their sleeve for E3.
The reason they are selling so much is because their units are breaking down so often, and people would rather buy a new unit for under 200 than fork out 100 to get it fixed just to have it break down again :P Someone should find numbers for how many of those sold units go into repair a little over a year after it's bought :P... it would probably be higher than what they sell :P
Enough repetitive slating thank you.
ROFL.
I love my Wii, but it gets kinda boring, and I'm thinking about getting a 360 cuz I wouldn't mind picking up a new console.
But I can see why the 360 went up in growth. However, I wouldn't pay to play online, I do like their online feature over the PS3's.
Edit: And kobi07, 360's are very nice pieces of equipment. However, like many MANY electronics products, you do get some that straight up crap out on you.
Seeing as I have to agree with alex on this, you are a Sony fanboy. Please get reliable sources before posting next time.
I'm sorry but any customer service team is there to sort problems. I have never nor have I known anyone to phone up customer support and say, "what a great product, just wanted to say thank you."
Guess people shouldn't buy those products either since they break a lot.
You really aren't making sense here kobi07. You are complaining about flaws and not anything that is good about the majority of xbox's.
I know people still running the first distros of the 360.
Every electronic thing has its own problems here and there, and your claims aren't really that valid.
Just making a point. The fact that their products break often does not account for an increase in sales.
..any electronics would not fit the timeframe the xbox 360 breaksdown :P ... ive had my first computer for over 5 years...and still running...though i built a new one simply because it is outdated..but never gave me trouble...ive had nintendos...gameboys...sony tv's..sony vcr....an entire sony home theater system..that lasted 12 years and counting...ive had hp printers...epson scanners....viewsonic monitors....logitech keyboards and mice that lasts years and years without any problems...but everything i had with microsoft name on it...didn't last too long :P...the reason i have to point this out is because they are always boasting about their sales and trying to compete with everyone and everything...without putting their customers and consumers first...
..i honestly belive if they'd put at least 6 extra months in the production of the 360..(as it was planned...before they rushed it out to claim the title of the first second-gen(ie. 360...ps3...wii) console releaser))..their console would have had farrr better quality..and could have acutally lasted longer than their original xbox (which is actually a pretty solid system :P compared to the 360):P
...just my thoughts :P...not tryna be a fanboy or anything...or hatin on the console...buh yea...just don't like it when someone pretends to be all that when their really not...someone needs to put the reality out there:P..its up to u if u wana take it or not...too bad MS would never release the number of consoles they have to repair yearly compared to the number they sell yearly...maybe that would put everything into perspective...lol..anyone care to ask MS?
..boy do i love trying to make a point...lol..buh ill stop now :P its getting a lil too long...lol