By Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft Corp sold 28 million units worldwide of its Xbox 360 video game console through the end of 2008, expanding the Xbox’s lead over rival Sony Corp’s PlayStation 3 console in worldwide unit sales, the company said on Monday.
Xbox 360 product management director Aaron Greenberg said 2008 “was our biggest year ever in Xbox history” despite a sluggish global economy that’s battered US retailers this past holiday season.
Rising unemployment and tighter credit have dented US consumers’ purchasing power and most retailers have posted dismal sales results in recent months.
Despite problems by some publishers, the video game industry overall has bucked the trend as market researcher NPD said video games sales rose 10 percent and totaled $2.91 billion in November, proving consumers were still spending on video games at the beginning of the holiday season despite the sour economy.
Microsoft said global unit sales of the Xbox 360, which was launched about a year before the PS3, outpaced its rival by over 8 million units at the close of 2008.
Online consumer spending on Microsoft’s Xbox Live online service increased 84 percent year-over-year and members of the Xbox Live community rose to over 17 million members at the end of 2008, the company said. Consumers have spent over $1 billion on Microsoft’s Xbox Live online service since its launch for the 360 in 2005, according the Microsoft.
Greenberg noted “the $199 price point (of the Xbox 360) was really critical to our success this holiday.” Microsoft cut the US price of its entry-level console in September to $199, or $50 below Nintendo Co Ltd’s Wii console.
7 Feedbacks on "28-M Xbox 360s sold by end-2008"
viperkid
I guess the red ring of death contributed to the 28 million consoles that were sold. Hehehe….
Digest
When you talk about the two console, its xbox has the upper hand in sales. But in known issues like the ring of red(death) and the new trouble about xbox360’s scratching dvd issue. Definitely xbox has the downside of it.
And why not accompany the sales report with Nintendo Wii’s sale? I’m sure the xbox360 and sonyps3 woudn’t even come close to Wii’s sale combined. lol Even its Nintendo DS sale.
scytherage
I think the more interesting question is, the Xbox 360 sold 28 million consoles worldwide DESPITE the 3RL issue. So why are people worldwide buying it over and over? It breaks, yes; but the real response of gamers worldwide is, “So what?” The numbers don’t lie—that’s exactly what gamers worldwide are saying.
The Xbox 360 is doing very well because the platform has the best and most diverse lineup of games.
And yes, it’s true the Wii has beaten both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 in hardware sales. But in terms of software sales, the Xbox 360 has clearly dominated as the platform of choice for developers, because it’s the most profitable for them to make games on. One look at its consistently increasing attach rate attests to this assertion. That only means that the 360 is going to get even more games from more genres and more developers for years and years to come.
It doesn’t matter if the hardware issues exist; and truth be told, it’s really only an issue for unsupported countries like the Philippines. In the places where the Xbox 360 IS supported, 3RL is resolved by simply sending in your console. It’s a hassle, but it’s not something that Microsoft has completely ignored in their supported territories.
Most gamers locally should try opening up their perspective on the Xbox 360 beyond just looking at the 3RL problem. The problem exists but it is also true that the Xbox 360 arguably is the most balanced platform for gaming in terms of game library, and is the most competitive in terms of price and value.
Lastly, it provides the best and most seamless online experience for gamers; if the Philippines were supported it would be easier to communicate this point.
Digest
Yay! I forgot that Microsoft has an endless supply of cash to spend. Creating a community of gamers that someone would lead them to perpetual bliss. Yes, the green thingy is flying everywhere.
viperkid
I agree with scytherage 360 is a great platform for both gaming and communicating. I have a couple of friends in the US that owned a 360 at launch but fell in love with th platform that after he recieved the 3RL, he instantly bought another one.
In terms of developing it is easier to develop for the 360 due to the 360 being close to a PC in terms of development compared to the PS3 or the Wii.
The 360 is hands the down the best when it terms to multiplayer even though it costs around $50 a year to play online but you getr so much more than you pay for.
rocky
I agree with viperkid
28m is not actually sold, it should be sold + replacement. Replacement is around 33% because of the 3rl.
rocky
Well, the real issue here is why the 360 has not outsold the Wii even though it is 50$ less.
And for scytherage, i dont trust your post at all based from your uber BIASED blogged.
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