Xbox Games Taunt Opposition In Australia

Xbox Games Taunt Opposition In Australia

After only six months some cross-platform titles are selling better on Xbox

Aussie Xbox gamers are snapping up cross-platform title software at a rate far greater than the ratio of installed games consoles according to Microsoft New Zealand.

The installed base of Playstation 2 consoles in Australia since launching in November 2001, is roughly five times that of Xbox, the company says, but on average PS2 shared titles are only outselling identical Xbox titles by 1.3 to 1, since Xbox launched in Australia.

And at least seven of the top 15 cross-platform titles sell better on Xbox. Cross-platform software titles are those that are available on at least two different console systems.

With only days to go before Xbox launches here, New Zealand marketing manager Wilf Robinson has returned from a Sydney Xbox conference with six month sales figures from Australia.

Xbox launched across the Tasman on March 14 and Robinson says the new generation video game system has been punching well above its weight.

"There was a lot of good news for Xbox in Australia but to me the telling thing is that gamers are voting for Xbox with their wallets when it comes to choosing software."

Mr Robinson says the figures clearly reflect that Xbox versions of software look and play better than any other console version.

"It's a very exciting time in our industry. There has never been a time when there was such an abundance of cross platform titles AND where one of the platforms enables the games to look, sound and play so much better. Gamers who want the best version of a game, are buying the Xbox version.

"Of all the titles that have shipped on Xbox and other consoles since we launched, on average the Xbox version is selling 76 per cent of the of it's nearest competitor, even though the installed base of Xbox is only 20 per cent that of the same competitor.

"That's pretty exciting for us and a great omen for our launch. When you add these facts to the incredible array of Xbox-only titles, the gamer is definitely the winner," Mr Robinson says.

The Australian cross-platform titles that are selling better on Xbox are Turok Evolution, F1 2002, David Beckham's Soccer, Gauntlet Dark Legacy, All Star Baseball and Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars.

Xbox launches in New Zealand this coming Thursday (October 3) at $499. A number of retailers are offering special launch bundles that include a variety of accessories for the launch price.

About Xbox Xbox is Microsoft's future-generation video game system which delivers the most powerful game play experience ever. Xbox gives gamers and developers the technology to fulfil their creative visions as never before with games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. The Xbox features the most powerful graphics processor of any game console, a built-in hard disk, built-in broadband capability, real-time Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound support throughout the entire game and DVD capability. For the latest New Zealand news and updates go to www.xbox.co.nz

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