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Microsoft's Kinect Sells 1 Million Units in 10 Days, Boosts Holiday Sales

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft's Kinect, a motion-gaming accessory for the Xbox 360 console, has sold 1 million units in its first 10 days on the market, providing a much-needed boost to the games hardware market ahead of Christmas. The device, which allows users to play games using physical movement, gestures, and voice commands, is crucial for Microsoft as it attempts to reduce Nintendo's lead in the sagging games console market and lure more casual gamers away from the internet and smartphones.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft sold 1 million Kinect devices in the first 10 days of its launch, with sales expected to continue strong in the lead-up to Christmas.
  • The Kinect is essential for Microsoft in reducing Nintendo's lead in the games console market and attracting casual gamers who prefer non-traditional gaming experiences.
  • The device's success is likely to be fueled by its expanded availability in 38 countries and the support of 17 games, including blockbuster titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops.
  • Kinect will be competing with Sony's PlayStation Move controller, which sold 1 million units in its first 30 days in the US and 1.5 million in Europe over the same period.
  • Piers Harding-Rolls, a games analyst at Screen Digest, forecasts Kinect sales to consumers of 4.5 million, with a similar number of homes also likely to buy Sony's Move controllers.

Statistics:

  • 1 million Kinect devices sold in the first 10 days since launch.
  • Kinect available in 38 countries with 17 supporting games.
  • 45 million Xbox 360 consoles to be sold with Kinect by Christmas.
  • Kinect forecasted sales to consumers: 4.5 million.
  • Sony's Move controller sold 1 million units in the US and 1.5 million in Europe in its first 30 days.
  • Wii sales forecasted to be 7-8 million over Christmas, down from 11.5 million in 2009.

Sources:

  • "Microsoft's Kinect Sells 1m in 10 Days" by Tim Bradshaw in The Financial Times (date not specified)
  • "Kinect sales 'in line with expectations'" by Piers Harding-Rolls in The Financial Times (date not specified)
  • "Screen Digest forecasts Wii sales" by Screen Digest (date not specified)

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