Wednesday, May 10, 2006

XBox coming to South Africa

Microsoft today demonstrated its commitment to growing the successful Xbox business by announcing that it will launch Xbox 360, the next-generation video games and entertainment system, in South Africa and four countries in Eastern Europe. Launching by the end of 2006, Xbox will be expanding its global footprint and giving gamers in these new markets access to the next generation of gaming and entertainment.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (“E3”), the largest, annual conference for the interactive entertainment industry. As well as launching in South Africa, Xbox 360 will go on sale in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. With these launches, Xbox 360 will expand its presence in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region from16 countries to 21.

“We’re very excited to be bringing Xbox 360 to gamers in more countries in Europe and Africa,” said Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President for EMEA Home and Entertainment Division. “These are growing markets for console and Windows gaming – gamers in these markets have been craving Xbox 360, publishers are already marketing their games here, and we have great relationships with key retail partners in these regions already. Expanding to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia. Poland and South Africa allows us to build a successful business ecosystem for our partners in these countries, and to bring more gamers amazing next-generation gaming and entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 has been a great success in the EMEA region and we fully expect that success to be replicated in these five new countries.”

The appetite for Xbox 360 gaming around the world continues to grow. In addition to the five new countries mentioned above, Xbox will be helping to meet that demand in three other countries this year with launches in Brazil, Chile and India. These additional markets will continue the momentum of the largest next-generation installed base for any console after a second Christmas.

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