Microsoft Claims it Owns 42% of Current Gen Revenues

Following the recent European price cut on the Xbox 360, Microsoft issued some statements on what it considers to be a pretty dominating performance in the “next-gen” market. (It’s current gen. Current. Got it?) In addition to speaking about the “stunning” performance of Xbox Live, Microsoft exec Chris Lewis stated that the company has taken 42% revenue market share of the current gen gaming market, including hardware, software, and peripherals.

“We had to reach and surpass key milestones [before we dropped 360’s UK price]. We had to get to let a level of momentum that we’ve now achieved:

“We’ve taken 42 per cent revenue share of next gen-games market – including hardware, peripherals and software, as well as the stunning performance of Live.

“We’re consistently attaching games at high level – we’re now at north of seven games to every console. That’s considerably more than our competitors and something we’re immensely proud of.

“On top of that, we’ve worked our way to a 17.7 million units worldwide installed base – and Europe is a critical geography within that figure. The ability to continually drive cost through the console is what has allowed us to open up the price of the system now.”

Analysts and retailers have praised the timing of the price drop, stating that it will allow for Microsoft to capitalize on Easter. (I had no idea people got anything more than a hollow chocolate bunny for Easter.) Certainly, this all puts pressure on Sony and Nintendo, but given that Microsoft was the one at a disadvantage in Europe, it’ll be interesting to see how much of an impact price really has.

via MCV UK