Interactive Entertainment Industry Gears Up for Xmas Boom
Announcement posted by Xbox 07 Nov 2003
Following on from a bumper Christmas retail period last year, Australias interactive entertainment industry is gearing up for record sales yet again during the Christmas period and holiday season 2003.
Between January and October 2002, Australian consumers spent on average $12.6 million* per week on the interactive entertainment industry. During November and December alone, this figure almost tripled to a staggering $32.2 million* spent each week.
40%* of all video gaming console sales in Australia were also made during the key retail months of November and December 2002. Sales of Xboxs next generation console unit alone jumped a massive 303%* and 483%* respectively during these two months on the figures for October.
Sales of the Xbox console for November and December 2002 totalled a massive 95,363 units*, representing the most successful first Xmas unit sales by any next generation console launched within Australia.
In preparation for this traditional Christmas retail rush, Xbox has unleashed The Beast Entertainment Pack early to cope with these expected demands with the bundle going on sale today. Available at the RRP of $369, The Beast Pack constitutes a saving of over $200.
Xbox is predicting its strong Christmas offering will make Xbox the console of choice in home entertainment purchases this year. Some of the features which broaden the consoles appeal to the wider market include: DVD movie and CD playing capability, access to Australias first unified online gaming service Xbox Live**, the Xbox Music Mixer**, as well as 300 games scheduled to be on shelf by Xmas.
People are now demanding more than just a games console, theyre after a digital entertainment lifestyle choice, says Richard Hirst, marketing manager, Xbox Australia. You can watch your favourite DVD movies, listen to your favourite music, have fun with karaoke with our Music Mixer or play games - in your home or online with people across the other side of the world. We also have an amazing array of games which suit all tastes, so were confident that The Beast is going to be a big buy for families wanting to make their console an entertainment option for the whole family.
Retailers also expect another bumper year in Christmas sales for the interactive entertainment industry. With the launch of the online console services and so much activity in the interactive entertainment world right now, were predicting this is going to be a boom area of our sales for the Xmas period, says Peter Geer, Senior Buyer, Consoles and PC Software, Myer Grace Bros. Last year special retail bundles were a hit with consumers and we expect this year to be no different.
Xboxs Beast Entertainment pack and other Xbox products are available now from selected retailers across Australia.
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* Sourced from GfK Marketing Services Australia
** Separate purchase required
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com.au) combines video games, music and DVD movies to deliver an exhilarating entertainment experience.
Xbox allows people to play together, connecting people with their friends in order to compete, hangout and have fun. The Xbox puts tomorrows technology in your hand today, blending advanced technology and wild eyed creativity to spark innovative new entertainment.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first comprehensive, online game arena fully dedicated to fast-action broadband gaming experiences. Xbox Live will allow gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a high-speed Internet connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console was built from the ground up to be an online gaming system so theres no need to buy additional peripherals.
Xbox Live will enable all gamers to find and play with their friends easily; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; and download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive.
This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this document or the information contained in it.
Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Between January and October 2002, Australian consumers spent on average $12.6 million* per week on the interactive entertainment industry. During November and December alone, this figure almost tripled to a staggering $32.2 million* spent each week.
40%* of all video gaming console sales in Australia were also made during the key retail months of November and December 2002. Sales of Xboxs next generation console unit alone jumped a massive 303%* and 483%* respectively during these two months on the figures for October.
Sales of the Xbox console for November and December 2002 totalled a massive 95,363 units*, representing the most successful first Xmas unit sales by any next generation console launched within Australia.
In preparation for this traditional Christmas retail rush, Xbox has unleashed The Beast Entertainment Pack early to cope with these expected demands with the bundle going on sale today. Available at the RRP of $369, The Beast Pack constitutes a saving of over $200.
Xbox is predicting its strong Christmas offering will make Xbox the console of choice in home entertainment purchases this year. Some of the features which broaden the consoles appeal to the wider market include: DVD movie and CD playing capability, access to Australias first unified online gaming service Xbox Live**, the Xbox Music Mixer**, as well as 300 games scheduled to be on shelf by Xmas.
People are now demanding more than just a games console, theyre after a digital entertainment lifestyle choice, says Richard Hirst, marketing manager, Xbox Australia. You can watch your favourite DVD movies, listen to your favourite music, have fun with karaoke with our Music Mixer or play games - in your home or online with people across the other side of the world. We also have an amazing array of games which suit all tastes, so were confident that The Beast is going to be a big buy for families wanting to make their console an entertainment option for the whole family.
Retailers also expect another bumper year in Christmas sales for the interactive entertainment industry. With the launch of the online console services and so much activity in the interactive entertainment world right now, were predicting this is going to be a boom area of our sales for the Xmas period, says Peter Geer, Senior Buyer, Consoles and PC Software, Myer Grace Bros. Last year special retail bundles were a hit with consumers and we expect this year to be no different.
Xboxs Beast Entertainment pack and other Xbox products are available now from selected retailers across Australia.
- ends -
* Sourced from GfK Marketing Services Australia
** Separate purchase required
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com.au) combines video games, music and DVD movies to deliver an exhilarating entertainment experience.
Xbox allows people to play together, connecting people with their friends in order to compete, hangout and have fun. The Xbox puts tomorrows technology in your hand today, blending advanced technology and wild eyed creativity to spark innovative new entertainment.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first comprehensive, online game arena fully dedicated to fast-action broadband gaming experiences. Xbox Live will allow gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a high-speed Internet connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console was built from the ground up to be an online gaming system so theres no need to buy additional peripherals.
Xbox Live will enable all gamers to find and play with their friends easily; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; and download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive.
This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this document or the information contained in it.
Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.