subject: Xbox 360 Accessories: Bringing It Live [print this page] The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft. It is a follow up to the Xbox gaming system. It is considered part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. The Xbox 360 was unveiled on May 12, 2005 with a detailed launch at MTV that featured game information. The console sold out completely in every region with the exception of Japan.The Xbox 360 was officially launched on November 22, 2005, in North America (Canada, the United States and Mexico. It was released on December 2, 2005 in Europe and December 10, 2005 in Japan. Later it was released in Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Singapore, South Korea, Tawain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Russia and Hong Kong. It launched in a total of 36 countries in its first year, the most of any console to date.This machine is popular not only for the gameplay and games but for the Xbox 360 accessories it features. One such built-in feature is the Xbox Live function. This allows for users to compete online globally and speak to each other via headsets. The Xbox Live function also allows users to download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows and movies. Other Xbox 360 accessories include wireless controllers, headsets for speaking to your competition, a webcam for video chatting, dance mats and Gamercize for exercise, three sizes for memory cards and hard drives as well as faceplates for customization.From the time of the Xbox 360 launch to the year's end, which was about six weeks, Microsoft had already shipped 1.5 million units. During the initial week of the launch over 40,000 units appeared on Ebay. This was because the company had only started production on the machines 69 days prior to launch. Despite demand outweighing supply the Xbox 360 had a head start on the competition by about a year. As of August 2009 Xbox 360 has sold over 31 million units to date. The company got a major boost in sales with a substantial increase of Xbox 360 accessories users (namely the Xbox Live).The Xbox 360 is a giant in a massive industry. Did you know that the gaming industry is now larger than the movie industry? It's to and it is largely based on the interactive aspects of the games themselves but also because of such tools as Xbox Live that allow users to interact on screen as well as verbally. Will we continue to see this giant grow? We must wait and see but video games to continue to grow in popularity with new creativity every year.
