This year may be Microsoft’s final press conference at the Consumer Electronic Show, but don’t expect the Xbox product line to disappear anytime soon. At CES 2012, CEO Steve Ballmer announced today that the Xbox 360 has now sold over 66 millions units through the end of December 2011, eclipsing its predecessor by approximately 40 million unit sales. He also asserted that the Xbox 360 was 2011′s best selling console in the world.
In conjunction with the units sold to date, over 40 million user accounts have been created on Xbox Live. No numbers were released on how many such accounts were tied to one unit or what percentage were Gold Memberships.
The Kinect sensor also had a successful 2011. Observers of the gaming industry have seen Microsoft heavily invest in the Kinect over the past year, and it has clearly paid off. Despite the dominance of the Nintendo Wii and the recent introduction of the Sony Move, the Kinect has sold over 18 million Kinect sensors in little over a year. With the continued push of the motion controller device, including the requirement that all future Xbox 360 apps offer Kinect support, Microsoft is attempting to make the device an essential part of the Xbox 360 (and perhaps the Xbox 720) experience.
In celebration of these milestones, Microsoft released the following video showing the successes of both the Xbox 360 and Kinect in 2011:
Ballmer also confirmed that the Kinect will soon no longer just be limited to the Xbox 360, but will now be officially supported by Windows 7 and Windows 8 on February 1, 2012. Unfortunately, it appears that the Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor will not be supported. Instead, users will need to purchase a Windows-compatible Kinect sensor for $249.99, which will only work with computers running the Kinect for Windows SDK software.
On the bright side, the Kinect for Windows allegedly will permit the camera to accurately see objects as close as 50 centimeters in front of the device, which is a vast improvement over its predecessor and perhaps another argument in support of PC gaming. For those who are not turned off by the price, you can pre-order Kinect for Windows from Amazon by clicking here.
What do you think of these numbers? Should Microsoft continue to focus on the Xbox 360 and Kinect as its primary platforms rather than turning its attention to the Xbox 720?
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Nice, Good numbers! Xbox definitely had the best year of 2011. I think (well I hope) Microsoft does keep the focus on the 360 right now, I’m happy with my 360 and Kinect
Plus I don’t think we will see the 720 until late 2013 or early 2014 so the 360 still has some life Microsoft can squeeze out of it.
“I think (well I hope) Microsoft does keep the focus on the 360 right now. Plus I don’t think we will see the 720 until late 2013 or early 2014 so the 360 still has some life Microsoft can squeeze out of it.”
My thoughts exactly. Mainly because Sony seems to be reacting on impulse and trying to move to fast to get one up on Miscrosoft. There is still Plenty Both PS3 and Xbox360 have to offer. PLENTY. I would say an early to mid 2014 reveal would fare better on every ones pockets as opposed to 2013. That’s for those that work that is and have to buy their own games/systems..
Is there any question that the Xbox 360 has one the console war of this generation? It has surpassed the competition in every single way.
Yes 360s have pissed me off and sucked way more than any other console of this generation or any generation. Never thought about it that way UnbuildTheGame, Thanks!
How about they celebrate by giving everyone with an Xbox Live Gold account 1 free game download a year?
that would be awesome!
comeon bring xbox 720. fade up of this 720p gaming. bring 1080p full hd gaming!
Um…Last i checked 1080P HD gaming is a current reality?. If you’re looking for that kind of HD quality, an HD TV with 120/240Hz and up will do the trick. Higher Hz means faster/higher refresh rate and give you the HD quality you’re looking for…
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