Microsoft owns 'nearly half' of current-gen revenue

[Shrygue]

via Computer and Video Games


Microsoft has taken nearly half of 'to date' current-gen revenue across console, game and peripheral sales, the company has boasted.

The boast made to trade mag MCV comes alongside Microsoft's other big news this morning; its 17.7 million Xbox 360s sold worldwide and the European price cut - which brings the console's tag down to less than a Wii.

"We had to reach and surpass key milestones [before we dropped 360's UK price]. We had to get to let a level of momentum that we've now achieved," Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Europe VP, Chris Lewis told MCV.

"We've taken 42 per cent revenue share of next gen-games market - including hardware, peripherals and software, as well as the stunning performance of Live." To be fair, the 360 has had a rather large head start.

Microsoft also claims it has the highest attach rate of any current-gen console, with seven games sold on average per Xbox 360.

"We're consistently attaching games at high level," added Lewis, "we're now at north of seven games to every console. That's considerably more than our competitors and something we're immensely proud of.

"On top of that, we've worked our way to a 17.7 million units worldwide installed base - and Europe is a critical geography within that figure. The ability to continually drive cost through the console is what has allowed us to open up the price of the system now."

The Xbox 360 is now retailing for £199.99 in Europe, with the Arcade pack down to £159.99. We'll be watching GTA IV format sales with great interest...

[goity]

Bollocks. The price drop is because recent multiplatform games have sold better on the PS3 in the EU (DMC4 etc.)