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Microsoft Xbox One set to launch in 28 more countries this month

by Mark Tyson on 3 September 2014, 12:30

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Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has announced, in a post on Xbox Wire, that the Xbox One will be launching in 28 new markets this month. Key new markets include countries such as Japan, China, Sweden, and The Netherlands.

Alongside the announcement, Microsoft provided a list of the Xbox One console launch dates by country, as reproduced below:

  • 2nd September: Chile and Colombia
  • 4th September: Japan
  • 5th September: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
  • 15th September: Israel
  • 23rd September: Hong Kong, India, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, China
  • 26th September: Russia

Microsoft has a special message for gamers in Argentina, saying it will have "more to share on our launch plans shortly". We would guess that means Argentina will be added to the release schedule 'shortly'.

The most significant launch date above might be 5th September, when fans from 16 new countries will be able to finally get their hands on the Xbox One. However, the launch in China is seen as a significant as, with the Chinese government only lifting a 14-year ban on foreign consoles sales in the country recently, it will be the first time that a console made outside of China has launched in the country.

By the end of the month, the Xbox One will be available in a total of 41 territories. Even with its geographically limited availability, Microsoft has sold an estimated five million Xbox One units worldwide. In comparison, the Sony PlayStation 4 is available in 58 markets, with 48 of them having received access to that next-gen console since last year. Will Microsoft's distribution move help it catch up with Sony's PS4 sales, or is it too little too late? Please share your opinion in the comments below.



HEXUS Forums :: 6 Comments

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Hopefully the voice recognition will be decent, especially after the wait…..although I wonder how many potential buyers already picked up a PS4 instead?
shaithis
Hopefully the voice recognition will be decent, especially after the wait…..although I wonder how many potential buyers already picked up a PS4 instead?

Has there been any announcement on how many languages the voice recognition supports?

Also, it's only been 10 months since the xbone was released world wide, sure people aren't that impatient! Oh wait…
Personally, I'm more interested (though still not yet convinced) about the oft-rumoured XBO Lite, Kinect-less.
Looks like MS neglected selling to half of europe up until now. No wonder the XBO sales numbers in europe were pretty awful.
Tired of most of Africa being snubbed. They can keep it.