Microsoft announces Xbox 360 launch dates
{{date|September 16, 2005}}
[[Image:300px-X360 Logo.png|right]]
[[w:Microsoft|Microsoft]] announced on Thursday the release dates for the new version of the Xbox gaming console. The [[w:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]] will be in shops in the [[w:United States|US]] on November 22. It will be launched in [[w:Europe|Europe]] on December 2 and in [[w:Japan|Japan]] on December 10.

The Xbox 360 in the US and Europe will come in two editions, base and premium. The premium edition will include the console, an external hard drive, wireless controllers, headset and membership in the [[w:Xbox Live|Xbox Live]] gaming service.  The base version will only include the console and a wired controller.  The base edition will sell for £209.99 in the UK, €299.99 in Europe and $299.99 in the USA. The premium edition will sell for £279.99 in the UK and $399.99 in the USA. A third edition with nearly identical features to the premium edition will be available in Japan for ¥37,900.

Microsoft has said up to 20 games would be ready by the launch date, and  40 games should be launched by the end of 2005.  "We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region," said Chief Xbox officer Robbie Bach.

The launch date is two days before [[w:Thanksgiving|Thanksgiving]], the traditional start of the US Christmas buying season.  A  November launch will give Microsoft a lead over competitors [[w:Sony|Sony]] and [[w:Nintendo|Nintendo]]. Sony plans to release the [[w:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]] in the spring of 2006, and Nintendo plans to release its new console, the [[w:Nintendo Revolution|Revolution]], sometime next year.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/09/15/xbox360/index.php
|title=Microsoft to launch Xbox 360 on Nov. 22
|author=Martyn Williams/[[w:IDG|IDG News Service]]
|pub=Macworld
|date=September 15, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2005-09-15T141409Z_01_HO521722_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MEDIA-MICROSOFT-XBOX-DC.XML
|title=Microsoft to ship Xbox 360 on November 22 in US
|author=Sachi Izumi and Lisa Baertlein
|pub=Reuters UK
|date=September 15, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.physorg.com/news6521.html
|title=Microsoft takes aim at Japanese rivals with Xbox December launch
|author=[[w:AFP|AFP]]
|pub=Physorg.com
|date=September 15, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4247822.stm
|title=Xbox 360 set for November launch
|author=
|pub=BBC News
|date=September 15, 2005}}

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[[pl:Microsoft podał datę rynkowej premiery konsoli Xbox 360]]
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Microsoft announced on Thursday the release dates for the new version of the Xbox gaming console. The Xbox 360 will be in shops in the US on November 22. It will be launched in Europe on December 2 and in Japan on December 10.

The Xbox 360 in the US and Europe will come in two editions, base and premium. The premium edition will include the console, an external hard drive, wireless controllers, headset and membership in the Xbox Live gaming service.  The base version will only include the console and a wired controller.  The base edition will sell for £209.99 in the UK, €299.99 in Europe and $299.99 in the USA. The premium edition will sell for £279.99 in the UK and $399.99 in the USA. A third edition with nearly identical features to the premium edition will be available in Japan for ¥37,900.

Microsoft has said up to 20 games would be ready by the launch date, and  40 games should be launched by the end of 2005.  "We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region," said Chief Xbox officer Robbie Bach.

The launch date is two days before Thanksgiving, the traditional start of the US Christmas buying season.  A  November launch will give Microsoft a lead over competitors Sony and Nintendo. Sony plans to release the PlayStation 3 in the spring of 2006, and Nintendo plans to release its new console, the Revolution, sometime next year.
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