Xbox 360 to expand to three more regions

Microsoft is reportedly eyeing Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and South African launches for its console in the next 18 months.

After bringing the Xbox 360 to market in America, Canada, parts of Europe, and Japan last holiday season, Microsoft set to work filling in the territorial gaps in between. Already this year the console has launched in Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombia, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia, and at least one Microsoft suit has indicated a desire to launch in China in 2006. The list of Xbox 360-equipped countries looks to grow even more, as The Financial Times is reporting that Microsoft has plans to launch its system in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa in the next 18 months.

In particular, The Financial Times focuses on the Eastern Europe launch. It says Microsoft is aiming to target Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Russia with the Xbox 360, and that Microsoft's plans call for it to initiate the launch through specialty game retailers and international retailers like Germany's Media Markt or DSG International, the British owner of Dixons, Currys, and PC World. Outside of the UK, DSG's retail brands include Elkjøp, UniEuro, Kotsovolos, Electro World, and PC City.

Chris Lewis, Microsoft's head of Xbox operations for the regions in question, told The Times that the expansion into new territories was instrumental in the company's strategy to fend off Sony and its forthcoming PlayStation 3. He also said Microsoft, which has already made high-profile acquisitions of European development studios Rare and Lionhead, would continue to cater to European tastes, and possibly might create niche offerings for specific countries.

113 Comments

  • nbanic

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 3:30 am PT

    I am from Serbia so I will never have the chance to buy Xbox 360.I think i am
    going to cry!!!!

  • mezonesxbox

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 11:54 am PT



    Yo quiero xbox tresientos sesenta!!!

  • acummuta

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 11:44 am PT

    Apparently schooling for spelling has become increasingly difficult to come by in the year 3000. I pity our future.

  • Legendaryscmt

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 11:32 am PT

    Japan hates microsoft, Europe is alright, so screw them, and bring somemore 360s to the states!

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 11:23 am PT

    FYI acunamattada, i'm from the year 3000 so I've been thru puberty a looong time ago. and quite a few times actually when i come back to visit via time travel. and yes i did 'fell' bad about what i sed on this day stardate 04/12/2006 on more than one occasion. BUT you have to realize that when i go back home to the year 3000, that i sed that almost a thaosand years ago. GET OVER IT. I did. jesus

  • thisissami

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 11:20 am PT

    "
    This will not sell in the middle east. Maybe in UAE and Israel but no where else."

    nope, middle east is 100% pro-playstation

    of course the really rich people (and there are a lot of those) buy everything, but the people who can only afford 1 system always go with playstation...it's the only popular thing here.

  • CzechRacer

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:58 am PT

    cyprus646 wrote:
    "Well eastern urope isnt known for its financial power so im guessing MS is gona sell the 360 alot cheaper there then in the U.S." . . . you are wrong, is no way cheaper and we needn't wait until M$ decide sell XB360s, because is normally available in any gaming store (at least in Czech Republic ;-)

  • acummuta

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:58 am PT

    jaefrmbk2k is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Maybe when he actually makes it through puberty he'll think back and fell bad about what he said here today. Maybe...

    Sorry to hear that you're writing off the 360 right off the bat nduimiso. At least they're making an effort this time. One of the things about Microsoft's effort this time around is that they're trying to make up for mistakes they've made in the past. The fact that they even are attempting South Africa is progress.

    Don't discount the system based off of their past history. Its a great system and is worth getting because of the reason we all buy consoles....the games. True, it won't be the same system without internet, but neither will the PS3. PS3 is looking to emulate many of the online features that are on the 360...a high sign of flattery I might add.

    So if you're like me you'll own both because there's just games you HAVE TO HAVE that will only be launched on that console. Halo 3/Project Gotham Racing 3/Gears of War (only on 360). Metal Gear Solid 4/Final Fantasy XIII/God of War 3? (only on PS3...maybe). So its about sharing the console love.

    One thing that is nice about these console wars, just like graphics cards wars between nVidia and ATI is that we end up winning. Better technology, better games.

    So here's to keeping them both in business! (Oh...and Nintendo too).

  • thefjk

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:54 am PT

    Where is AFRICA on that list?

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:43 am PT

    didn't the middle east and south africa and them places jus get electricity like 20 years ago? why would they waste it on games?

  • emagius

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:35 am PT

    Sorry but selling in the streets those morality police wouldn't allow it. Sorry console games are practially illegal in several middle eastern countries.

    Have you actually been to the Middle East? It's not like what FOX News and the US government would have you believe.

  • nduimiso

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 10:22 am PT

    well, im from South Africa, there are 2 reasons why it wont sell well here. we have been a Sony country ever since ps, this is the first time xbox is launching and a lot of people are pissed off at ms for not launching the original xbox here and go for ps3 even if it is more expensive. Secondly we have extremely expensive internet so xbox live is out and is not a reason to get a xbox here.

    an earlier commentor said we still have a slave system here, well, you are an ignorant idiot, we have no slave system here and have affimative action to right the wrongs of the past. And we can afford electricity, the poor get free electricity and we have the cheapest electricity in the world.

  • acummuta

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:54 am PT

    Wow...we have a lot of ignorant bastards on this forum don't we? Why do you feel the need to bash other countries? Why is it stupid for Microsoft to sell in other countries? Don't you think they have smarter people on the job to figure out if its worth their time? You think they're coming to the forum and saying "hey, that ignorant bastard is right! Scrap the whole process. Lets ONLY ship to America where it belongs."

    (Rolls eyes)

    To you that live in other countries, I'm from the US and I say its good news. I'm glad that we can all share in the goodness that is video games. And I own a 360 and it has pretty much made me forget about all my other consoles (Gamecube, PS2, XBOX) and PC.

    Looking forward to seeing it sell in other counties. I support Microsoft.

    Once again, sorry for the people here representing America in this light. Some of us are actually accepting of different cultures and regions.

  • cyprus646

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:54 am PT

    Well eastern urope isnt known for its financial power so im guessing MS is gona sell the 360 alot cheaper there then in the U.S.

  • swamptick

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:48 am PT

    Long live the 360. For the first time since the Genesis - Super Nintendo war I am getting pretty pumped about this new console war. All the pundits tried to get us to beleive that PS2 vs XBOX would be something to see. While the PS2 had stronger sales, the XBOX was just plain better. This time however the two machines look neck and neck. That means more love for the gamers and the game industry. BRING IT ON!!

  • ghsacidman

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:25 am PT

    360 is great, can't see a $600 plus PS3 beating out Microsoft's streamline and Nintendo's innovation.

  • fmcuk

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:16 am PT

    It is a shame they haven't included other areas like Latin America (besides Mexico) and other areas of Africa.

    Surely MS thinks they don't deserve its precious machine, because those areas are not wealthy enough.....

  • bobreturns

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 9:15 am PT

    i thought they had already launched worldwide

  • hadesklots

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:36 am PT

    Oh my God they are going to release on South Africa and what about South America some countries are waiting to release here like brazil

  • sasuke55

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:30 am PT

    Its cool nice to see that other countries who weren't previously able to are now getting to join in on video games. Its not about PS3 or 360 Its about countries now having a choice.

  • decebal

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:22 am PT

    A good strategy to expand the market would be by making games for their console. My 360 is collecting dust!

    WHERE ARE THE GAMES? What am I supposed to do, chat with "friends" on LIVE every day?

  • mickel_darmawan

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 8:06 am PT

    WHO want to buy that CRAP???????????????????

  • Master_Anime

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:56 am PT

    360 OWNEGE!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA DIE PS3 AND THE REV MWAHAHAhHAHHAH

  • moocow21

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:11 am PT

    I could care less if they expand to places like the Middle East..

    I'm just glad I have one here in the good ol' U S of A

  • jahoousa

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:07 am PT

    Well if GTA ever comes out for the 360 and it's released in the "holy land" maybe they could make it multiplayer so everybody can get online and kill eachother instead of using car bombs. Viva aurba

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:04 am PT

    That's awesome that M$ is making the good effort to bring the XBOX 360 to gamers around the world who really want one. It'll be interesting to see what games make it to which countries. A lot is going to happen in the next 18 months.

  • hercules99

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:54 am PT

    Baswhie your right about that~...

    I dont think xbox360 is a good launch console.. and wil not be successful in Middle East and South Africa. How many people do you think can afford xbox360? In the Middle East they are having crisis between their tribes and terrorists and In Africa they so many people who are starving to dead..
    The people in that country dont have time to play games like you kiddies..
    They have so many problems to deal with..

  • hercules99

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:54 am PT

    Baswhie your right about that~...

    I dont think xbox360 is a good launch console.. and wil not be successful in Middle East and South Africa. How many people do you think can afford xbox360? In the Middle East they are having crisis between their tribes and terrorists and In Africa they so many people who are starving to dead..
    The people in that country dont have time to play games like you kiddies..
    They have so many problems to deal with..

    I think Nintendo will win the console war because of prices and idea's of gaming also, the new revolutionary controller Now you dont have to sit around but do exercise with it.. i hope they can make a controller that can swing like a golf or batting controller so you can swing and do exercise..

  • hercules99

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:50 am PT

    Baswhie your right about that~...

    I dont think xbox360 is a good launch console.. and wil not be succeded in Middle East and South Africa. How many people do you think can afford xbox360? In the Middle East they are having crisis between their tribes and terrorists and In Africa they so many people who are starving to dead..
    The people in that country dont have time to play games like you kiddies..
    They have so many problems to deal with..

    I think Nintendo will win the console war because of prices and idea's of gaming also, the new revolutionary controller Now you dont have to sit around but do exercise with it.. i hope they can make a controller that can swing like a golf or batting controller so you can swing and do exercise..

    ... PS3 and Xbox360 is basically just a same as PC....so...bye bye
    but ps3 is a little bit better... due to xbox360 needs HD television...

    Not so many people can buy HD Tv and Xbox360 they are too expensive to afford...

  • MrPMPisBeefy

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:42 am PT

    w00t! Video games bringing more people together. Although this better not affect the US supply.

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:25 am PT

    360 is the best! THE MORE 360s THE MORE OPTIONS!

  • peterzhao333

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:25 am PT

    I WANT A XBOX 360 IN BRAZIL. DID YOU HEAR ME MICROSOFT?

  • MagnusGman

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 6:10 am PT

    Can people in China and anywhere else even afford a 360?

  • Silivren

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:45 am PT

    Stick to computers Microsoft, your Xbox 360 launch was not been successful, and wait, you still haven't launched it in some regions? Look up the meaning of unsuccessful in the dictionary and 'Xbox 360' will be there

  • farse123

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:41 am PT

    Bawishe you are wrong, Saudi Arabia is the biggest place for video games in whole gulf countries. Not to mention, more than half of Saudi consoles comes from UAE.
    For your knowledge all X360 consoles have been sold for 600-800$ here in Saudi Arabia and we are waiting for more X360 supply .

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:32 am PT

    For the unofficial record, MS has not really stepped up shipping of the 360. in all parts f the US. I work in retail in TX, and we haven't seen that many shipments come in. But if you live in TX, that's a good thing. A lot of the faulty 360's were sent to Mcallen for repair or whatnot. On the other hand, my brother back in NC says it's not too hard to find one. If you really want to get your hands on one, talk to someone in the military. MS knows to keep the PX's full in most areas.

  • Raymin4

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:05 am PT

    They ought to balance the supply and demand here in the U.S. before shipping more out to different regions....I have a couple friends that are still having a hard time getting a 360 here in MD....I guess MS knows whats best....

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 5:02 am PT

    i'm all for it if it ends up sacking the ps3.

  • edmond_lipana

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:32 am PT

    i hope that this doesnt mess up the region games again.. i just got a uk xbox and i live in asia.. so im pretty much screwed with the games being compatible with NTSC and PAL.. then theres also the region.. can anybody help me out?

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 4:05 am PT

    does this mean that the "world wide" SIMULTANEOUS" ccrap launch was successful

  • wudi09

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 3:50 am PT

    Poland is lying right in the center of Europe, I hate it when people call it Eastern Europe.
    And it's cool that X360 will launch on more markets, the only question is: what for?
    It's not like they are successfull enough to support more regions, they should concentrate on NA.

  • OPOLO

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 3:48 am PT

    Thats great news, but Microsoft should make sure they do a little more to get rid of the ignorant people on live (most of them are white americans). At least thats what they sound like

  • Benny_is_here

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 3:18 am PT

    Nice. I have dozen of friends from the Middle East (why do they call it that when it's not technically in the middle east?) who'll probably buy it real cheap from the blackmarket there. It's a shame that some will have to wait 18 months, though...

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 3:15 am PT

    Some of you are morons! Don't you think MS check out all the do's and don'ts BEFORE they decided launch in these different regions? MS is a multi-billion corporation, if you're not on that level then SHUT UP!.

  • commmaando

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 3:11 am PT

    great news xbox 360 for the middle east , who care what u americans think of us middle Easterns, many of us in the gulf countries live a life u can only dream of ( el hamdolelah ) anyway hope some day I see some localized games for the middle east like language .

  • pedjan

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 2:55 am PT

    Great! I'm from Serbia and here Xbox is very popular but PS2 rules (cause is cheaper, only reason) and PC is 'official game machine'. Also, here (and in other countries in region) MS isn't officialy present and everything about xbox and games we have to buy on black market. Yes, it's cheaper (games around 5$ or just torrent download any) and it's work here cause nobody think about this market. Even Sony. I think that people from Nintendo even don't know where is Eastern Europe.
    Potential is big (around million consoles will sell here), cause people like to play games and gaming scene is big, but there is no any official support from MS or Sony.
    So only solution for me now is to buy modded x360 and play pirate games, cause I don't want to wait till 2008 to see 360 'officialy' in stores.
    It's sad but that is only way.

  • anton10000

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 2:51 am PT

    Russia can't afford druds for their AIDS epidemic, so why would they buy this

  • nonsoville2

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 1:44 am PT



    Hey, I agree with dreampage. It's great the Xbox360 is Officially coming to Hungary. I live in Hungary, own an Xbox 360 and I'm an American. A Lot of the Hungarians Speak English, so there will be no communication problem over Live. I'm certain the 360 will sell greatly in Hungary and South Africa. I think Micro$oft made a very wise choice.

  • boolow407

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 1:06 am PT

    Im glad, and this is great news for gamers everywhere. Ive been to the Middle East numerous times, and the people there are just like us in the US and Europe. They are people. Welcome aboard, and hope to see you guys on Xbox live.

  • dreampage

    Posted Apr 12, 2006 12:54 am PT

    I'm glad that the Xbox 360 comes to Eastern Europe. I live in Hungary. If we get proper marketing, ads and lots of supply people here are going to buy it in good amounts. The PS2 so far has sold around 100.000 in this country. Sony has official traders in almost every country. Microsoft has to catch up and this will be the first time a non-Sony console will have official marketing in Hungary.

    Oh, and a lot of Hungarian gamers speak English quite well, so don't worry. :-)

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