Microsoft plans to launch its Xbox 360 gaming console in India, where an economic boom has boosted incomes and spurred spending.The U.S. software firm aims to hit the market before the Indian festival of lights, or Diwali, when many companies pay annual bonuses to workers. This year, festival falls on Oct. 21.
"We see an opportunity to lead and define the market,'' said Mitch Koch, corporate vice president for global retail sales at Microsoft's entertainment and devices division.
"We will be in India before our competition has launched in any other market,'' he said, referring to rival video game industry leader Sony's planned debut in the United States of its PlayStation 3 in November.
Microsoft hopes to offer the Xbox 360 console, its controller and one game for about $439 (19,990 rupees). In the United States, it sells the Xbox 360 and a controller for $299 to $399, while a game costs another $50 to $60.
"It is estimated there are 1.6 million gamers in India who spend at least two hours playing everyday,'' said Mohit Anand, country manager at Microsoft's India entertainment and devices division. "The market, which is coming off a small base, is rapidly increasing as the population is young and tech-savvy."
Microsoft said it hoped to set up 1,200 retail outlets in India's main cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and the tech hubs of Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad.
It declined give sales forecasts for India, but said global Xbox 360 sales were expected to reach 5 million to 5.5 million units by June. The game console was released last November.
Microsoft said that it has no plans to set up a gaming development center in India but that it will work with third-party game developers.
