In an official statement released in response to the NPD Group's US industry sales results for August 2009, Microsoft has said that the Xbox 360 remains the only console to show year-to-date growth in North America.
The Xbox 360 sold 215,000 units in the US during August, and system sales are up nearly 17 percent year-to-date. Driving demand are budget-conscious consumers understanding that Xbox 360 delivers more entertainment value per dollar than any other console, Microsoft said, adding that the recent price reduction of the Xbox 360 Elite model to $299 generated first week sales surpassing our expectations.
Introduced on August 28, the Xbox 360 price reduction also drove a 43 per cent sales boost in the UK in the week it took effect, and a further 29 per cent week-on-week sales increase over the following seven days.
Microsofts US arm also noted that third party sales on the Xbox 360 hit $130.4 million during August, with Madden NFL 10 topping the software chart and Batman: Arkham Asylum placing fourth. Xbox 360 has maintained the streak of leading third-party sales for every month of 2009, it said.
The platform holders Summer of Arcade campaign - which featured the digital releases of Shadow Complex, Trials HD, TMNT: Turtles In Time Reshelled, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Splosion Man via Xbox Live Arcade - saw sales more than double from last years campaign, the company said.
Echoing similar comments from Sony, Microsoft also said that upcoming platform exclusive releases bode well for its console. Xbox 360 is also home to some of the seasons most-anticipated blockbuster titles with a line-up of exclusives that includes Halo 3: ODST in September, Forza Motorsport 3 in October, and Left 4 Dead 2 this November.