Microsoft to Launch New Xbox Game Console on Dec. 10 in Japan
Posted on: Thursday, 15 September 2005, 12:00 CDT
Sep. 15--TOKYO -- U.S. computer software giant Microsoft Corp. said Thursday it will launch its Xbox 360 game console on Dec. 10 in Japan after introducing the new product in North America on Nov. 22 and in Europe on Dec. 2.
The Xbox 360 debut in Japan will come before the firm's rival Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. introduces its new game console next spring.
Microsoft apparently intends to take advantage of the earlier debut to expand its share of the game console market, which is now dominated by Sony, an industry analyst said.
The Xbox 360 debut in the three major markets is timed to come in the Christmas shopping season. In many other regions, the new game console will hit store shelves in 2006.
"This holiday season, gamers in Japan, Europe and North America pining to experience jaw-dropping high-definition graphics, unmatched online play and compelling digital entertainment features of Xbox 360 will finally have the chance," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft.
Microsoft introduced the present Xbox version in 2002. Past Xbox sales in Japan have been limited to 471,000 units, accounting for only 2.1 percent of the Japanese game console market, according to game magazine publisher Enterbrain Inc.
Microsoft is expanding its lineup of software titles for Xbox 360, believing that a limited lineup has affected past Xbox sales.
The company said more than 40 software publishers in Japan, including Bandai Co., Capcom Co., Koei Co. and Konami Corp., have pledged their support for Xbox 360.
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Source: Kyodo News International, Tokyo
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