Microsoft Xbox 360 Sees Record Growth in 2009

[malware]

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.

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[a_ump]

i thought the Wii was what was on the rise and the 360 sales had died down a good bit, guess i was wrong lol.

 

[NeSeNVi]

There is no XBOX Live in Poland. If they made it here, they could sale even more...

 

[PCpraiser100]

This will be the same until the OnLive Console gets approved.

 

[sweeper]

It's just easier and CHEAPER to pick up an XBOX 360 and get some used games and pop online and play vs. gaming via computer or PS3 (online console sucks)... Hit Craigslist and 360's are cheap! Hit the stores like Walmart etc esp during flyer sales and you can get excellent deals.

 

[alexp999]

Its just been said that MS will be announcing Sky TV coming to the 360 too!

No need for a Satellite it brings everything down your internet connection.

Its in the Uk at least. Woo!

 

[MilkyWay]

So the world domination plans are coming along nicely eh? Im happy to be assimilated by the Microsoft Juggernaut.
That sky tv sounds interesting.

 

[DaveK]

It's good to see the console selling well, the console is pretty cheap, cheaper than that fuckin Wii, only about €179 for the Arcade now which is an amazing price for someone to go get one.

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.

 

[kobi07]

lol...

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 Someone should find numbers for how many of those sold units go into repair a little over a year after it's bought ... it would probably be higher than what they sell

 

[department76]

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 Someone should find numbers for how many of those sold units go into repair a little over a year after it's bought ... it would probably be higher than what they sell

very doubtful. only the original productions of the 360 had all the problems, which was a manufacturing defect and not MS' design.

 

[kobi07]

very doubtful. only the original productions of the 360 had all the problems, which was a manufacturing defect and not MS' design.

loll...yea the original productions were all pretty much garbage...buh even the newest releases aren't that great ...there are hundreds of brand new xbox units that have to go into repair for not reading discs and getting 3 red lights and other problems within weeks of using them ...their lucky their xbox live feature is amazing compared to PS3's online component...otherwise its useless...perhaps microsoft should start using sony hardware for their software ...that way well have a system that actually lasts longer than a year

 

[alexp999]

loll...yea the original productions were all pretty much garbage...buh even the newest releases aren't that great ...there are hundreds of brand new xbox units that have to go into repair for not reading discs and getting 3 red lights and other problems within weeks of using them ...their lucky their xbox live feature is amazing compared to PS3's online component...otherwise its useless...perhaps microsoft should start using sony hardware for their software ...that way well have a system that actually lasts longer than a year

Way to go to show yourself up as a Sony fanboy.

Enough repetitive slating thank you.

 

[department76]

loll...yea the original productions were all pretty much garbage...buh even the newest releases aren't that great ...there are hundreds of brand new xbox units that have to go into repair for not reading discs and getting 3 red lights and other problems within weeks of using them ...their lucky their xbox live feature is amazing compared to PS3's online component...otherwise its useless...perhaps microsoft should start using sony hardware for their software ...that way well have a system that actually lasts longer than a year

lets see some sources. what you're saying is about the same thing as me saying "chevys break down all the time" and "chevy should start using ford parts"


ROFL.

 

[A Cheese Danish]

i thought the Wii was what was on the rise and the 360 sales had died down a good bit, guess i was wrong lol.

The Wii's were what people wanted for the last 3 years or so. And now practically everyone has one.
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.

 

[kobi07]

lol...ive been working at xbox cust support foh de past 8 months dash how i know i dun mean to trashtalk the company buh its really annoying when 9 out of 10 calls u get r for broken xbox...most with warranties that expired days ago...makes me wonder everyday why people buy it....buh as an xbox owner myself...i will say that it is a really good gaming system....software wise anyways ...the hardware is just pure garbage...just a piece of advice ...make sure u buy as much warranty as u can afford ...ull need it...wether u have a newer xbox or older one

 

[alexp999]

Right your working in customer support and wondering why you get people ringing up with problems and broken xboxs.

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."

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Right your working in customer support and wondering why you get people ringing up with problems and broken xboxs.

Agreed. I work in PC tech support and I got a load of calls about broken computers from brands ranging from eMachines to HP and everything in between.
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.

 

[kobi07]

lol..problems are ok...but having to see people sending their xboxes 3..4...even 5 times within 3 years says there is something wrong somewhere...lol..im not saying dont buy it...by all means go ahead...buh just be warned and be prepared ...im just telling you what i see every day ...i own an xbox 360 too..i love that thing and play it far more than my ps3..lol...an am prepared with as much warranty as i could've gotten cuz i kno by the end of this year im gona have to send it in

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Ok...but from your own words, you could insert any electronics, whether it is computers, tv's, or other consoles, and it is the same outcome.
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.

 

[kobi07]

lol..actually the point i was trying to make was that it is much cheaper to buy a brand new xbox than to have your broken one repaired...it costs about $100 to have it repaired if you set it up online...in US.....123 in canada + taxes....u get 1 year warranty...1 month xbox live...and an xbox that is either refurbished...or cleaned up inside with a new disc drive...whereas for another 100 in us an 80 in canada...you can get a brand new one...with new controller...all tha cables...a PSU( which costs $79.99 to replace if it dies out on you after ur warranty expires )...and sometimes even free games...i get many people who have bought 5-6 xbox's just to replace the one they owned right before...and this is why their sales go up..not necessarily because their putting a 360 in every household like they wanted to...

..any electronics would not fit the timeframe the xbox 360 breaksdown ... 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 ...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 compared to the 360)

...just my thoughts ...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..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 its getting a lil too long...lol

 

[hacker111]

I was part of the rise Bought one at the end of last year.

 

[department76]

I was part of the rise Bought one at the end of last year.

i bought mine around october last year, got a good deal too

 

[El Fiendo]

Now if only they would get a Netflix / Sky TV solution for in Canada. We have our own versions but nothing that the Xbox 360 supports.