Microsoft Dreams of an Xbox Christmas
Who cares about Sony and Nintendo? Not Microsoft, that's for sure. The company seems sure it'll own Christmas.
Put on your Christmas-themed prognosticator's hat and take a look at the end of the year? What do you see? Is it Sony, sitting fat from the riches of a successful PlayStation 3 launch, or is it Nintendo basking in smugness, barely restraining an I-told-you-so? Microsoft is betting it'll be neither.
With around 6 million Xbox 360s already in living rooms worldwide and a 10 million unit lead forecasted for November, when the other two launch, Microsoft is convinced that it's going to be the one cashing in this Christmas.
"Nowhere else have consumers got a better choice of great gaming and entertainment today, tomorrow and long into the future," Microsoft's Stephen McGill told MCV. "I'm very confident this is going to be another Xbox Xmas."
Part of McGill's confidence comes from the games Microsoft has coming. Sony and Nintendo have their heads buried in nuts and bolts, but Microsoft, having endured its own worldwide launch already, is now focussed on getting its second generation of games out.
It's only August, though, meaning there's still a quiet before the rush to Christmas registers. Microsoft is prepared for that. And soon you won't be able to escape its pitch.
"Xbox 360 is the only place gamers can have such a great choice of gaming and entertainment," said McGill, "and we intend to sing about that very loudly from the roof tops."
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games