Since its launch in November 2005, Microsoft has sold more than 28 million Xbox 360 through the end of 2008, Microsoft joyfully said in a statement.
The company also has sold 8 million Xbox 360 units during the Christmas holiday shopping season, with Xbox 360 2008 Christmas sales doubling over the same time frame in 2007. Despite the struggling economy that has led to consumers spending less money and being more frugal, Microsoft still managed to have the best year of history for the Xbox.
GfK-ChartTrack indicates the Xbox 360 was the "fastest-growing" next-generation console in Europe throughout 2008, although U.S. sales figures haven't been released yet.
Microsoft had been plagued with Red Ring of Death issues that have now been resolved with newer models of the Xbox 360 released on the market.
After a price cut in September, Microsoft's sales numbers went up, with the Xbox 360 outselling the more powerful PlayStation 3 836,000 to 378,000 during the month of November, NPD Group research numbers report.
Microsoft hopes to have a successful 2009 as gamers continue to purchase Xbox 360 consoles due to an impressive game catalog, lower price tag, and the online community on Xbox Live. Netflix subscribers can also watch streaming content using their Xbox 360. The Redmond-based company announced Xbox Live now has 17 million subscribers, with more than $1 billion spent through the service since its introduction.
Even though Microsoft is unlikely to catch Nintendo's sales number with the Wii console, expect the company to continue to put a stronger focus on Xbox Live and streaming content.
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Karma: 9130 , Tue 6 Jan 2009 21:58
Won't catch the Wii, but I'm sure now that the RRoD issues have been resolved, Microsoft has to be happy with the sales figures for the Xbox 360.
I mainly use my Xbox 360 to stream Netflix movies and play games online, and I doubt I would be using the console at all if it weren't for Xbox Live.
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Karma: 3750 , Thu 22 Jan 2009 02:52
The RROD issues have not been resolved.
Yes, they've been resolved if you just now buy a new Jasper, which Microsoft wont even admit that they exist!
If you are one of the millions of poor misfortunates that bought a Xenon model, then RROD is going to permanently be your problems.
When your Xenon console brakes down, Microsoft will only give you replacement like for like, and just give you more Xenon parts, they then only give you a 3 months warranty on repaired consoles. (what ever happened to the Opus I would like to know, but again Microsoft wont admit there ever was an Opus)
So those that have stood on the fence for 3 years and just bought the Jasper console now for the cheap £130, are laughing, those that bought the launch Xenon consoles for ~£300 which were around between November 2005 to around November 2007, get the shaft from Microsoft.
