xboxmod
Novice
Jan 26, 2005, 11:05 AM
Post #1 of 1
(1246 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Xbox Live Sets New Online Gaming Benchmark
|
Can't Post
|
|
Microsoft announced that its Xbox Live online gaming service has set a new standard for online gaming with more than 1.4 million members around the world. The success of Xbox Live reinforces a stellar European Christmas season for the Xbox platform, according to data from Chart Track and Gfk. Highlights include:
Xbox was the only platform to see year-to-year growth during Q4 as well as the full calendar year 2004, while the overall market was down year-to-year. Xbox market share for 2004 was 29.46 percent, increasing 7 points from the 2003 calendar year (UK).
Overall software sales for Xbox lead the way in 2004, growing units sales 44 percent during Q4 and 48 percent for the calendar year 2004.
There are now more than 200 Xbox Live-enabled titles, making it on of the best libraries of online console games available today. "Halo 2" helped the service to new heights. The overall Halo franchise, which includes predecessor "Halo: Combat Evolved" for the PC and Xbox, has sold a collective 12.8 million copies in just three years.
The Xbox Live community has logged a record-breaking 91 million hours playing "Halo 2" since the title's launch – more than any other Xbox Live game in the two-year history of the service. In addition, the instantly immersive gameplay has resulted in close to 61 million logged sessions on the game, with an average session lasting nearly 92 minutes, approximately the length of a major motion picture.
Xbox Live-enabled titles in 2005 promise to boost additional Xbox Live membership growth. Games such as Microsoft Game Studios' "Forza Motorsport," LucasArts' "Star Wars Republic CommandoTM," Vicarious Visions' "Doom III" and Rare's "Conker: Live and Reloaded" promise to drive additional online gaming growth in the coming months.
Additionally, Xbox Live members in Europe will soon be able to enjoy Xbox Live Arcade - a new social experience that brings popular retro classics and broad appeal games directly to the Xbox console over the Xbox Live service. Coming to Europe this Spring, members will have a personal arcade connected to Xbox Live, offering quick and easy access to classic arcade games like "Ms. Pac-Man" and "Dig Dug", as well as exciting new games like "Bejeweled" and "Alien Sky". From late-night gamers to those looking for a quick five-minute game fix between "Halo 2" matches, Xbox Live Arcade has something for everyone in the household.
(This post was edited by xboxmod on Jan 26, 2005, 11:06 AM)
|
