The console dubbed the sexiest video game system
is becoming even more attractive. Effective March 30, the MicrosoftR
Xbox® video game system will be available for a handsome $149.99*
in the United States and $199.99** in Canada, representing a significant
savings of $30 for consumers in both regions. In addition, Microsoft
will reduce the price of the Xbox console in Mexico to $1,999***
pesos, which translates to a consumer savings of $500 pesos or roughly
$45 (U.S.).
With a fantastic new price, more than 400 games, an active online
community of nearly 750,000 Xbox LiveT subscribers, and DVD and CD
playback capabilities, Xbox validates its competitive advantage while
adding a whole new breed of Xbox players to its ever-increasing community
of gamers from
broad and diverse backgrounds, including many of the world's most well-known
celebrities.
"I love playing Xbox games and believe that the system's
cultural influence as a social entertainment brand has only just
begun," said
P. Diddy, musician and Xbox fan.
New Prices on Great Games for Everyone
Microsoft goes one step further in broadening the appeal of Xbox
today by lowering the price of several popular software hits. "Xbox
Music Mixer," a pioneering product that broadens the system's
audience with stellar karaoke features, an interactive media player
and PC-to-Xbox connectivity
functionality, taking the console video game experience beyond gaming,
will be available for $19.99* effective March 30. In addition, "Project
Gotham RacingR 2," "Crimson SkiesR: High Road to RevengeT" and "Counter
Strike" will be available starting tomorrow for $29.99,* while "Voodoo
VinceT" and "
Grabbed by the Ghoulies" are available today for $19.99.*
"We have always been committed to providing gamers with the
best entertainment experience available," said Mitch Koch, corporate
vice president of Microsoft worldwide retail sales. "At this lower
mass market price point, we're opening up this great system to an even
broader audience
of people who can experience Xbox for the first time."
Not to be outdone, Microsoft's Platinum Hits program has added
branches to its family tree with the launch of Platinum Family Hits
earlier this
month. The Platinum Family Hits program, the first of its kind in the
video game industry, offers the most proven and critically acclaimed
Xbox titles that
are targeted toward a more family-oriented audience. The inaugural
titles, available for $19.99,* include "Finding Nemo" (THQ
Inc.), based on the Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation
Studios film, and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (Electronic
Arts Inc.). Several
qualifying E-rated titles will be added to the Platinum Family Hits
product line each calendar year.
Now at its new price, Xbox is setting the stage to continue its
trend of being the only video game system to experience console unit
growth
in 2004 in the United States. In February, according to recently released
data from NPD Funworld,**** Xbox console sales grew 2 percent year
over year, while Playstation 2 declined 29 percent and GameCube declined
18 percent.