Xbox 360, the only next-gen console to be launched in India. Yet it is still one of the most mysterious gaming devices in terms of the total numbers sold. There were many reports on international gaming websites such as Kotaku, Joystiq and Gamasutra regarding the Indian chapter of the Xbox 360. So we decided to investigate the real story behind the Xbox 360 in India and opted to do a telephonic survey. We went to the Xbox website and found out the names and the numbers of the dealers who were selling the Xbox 360 in India. The stats were quite fascinating as we found that the premium version was doing much better than the core version.
We had to call the dealers as when we contacted Microsoft, they downright refused to reveal the Indian figures and said, “we only reveal global figures.” We faced a lot of problems as we had to call all the dealers. There were 509 dealers in India who sell the Xbox 360. We called up each and every one of them, literally. But, the thing was, some of the numbers given in the list were either wrong or switched off or were continuously ringing. Of course, there were some “smart” dealers too who refused to divulge details of their “products”. So in the end, we got the data from 123 dealers all over India.
(Note: If the chart is not clear, please click here for the Zonal Sales figures on Xbox 360 in India and the City wise Sales figures on Xbox 360 in India).
Sales figures on Xbox 360 in India :-
Don’t be surprised when you add 235 and 458 and you don’t get 839. That is because some of the dealers did not want to reveal the exact figures.
Now let’s break those figures. Out of the total Xbox 360 consoles sold, 29% were in the Western Zone, 22% were in the Northern Zone, just 8% in the Eastern Zone while the Southern Zone, which sold most of the Xbox 360 consoles, has a mammoth share of 41%.
Coming to cities, we divided India on to 9, i.e. eight major cities and one Rest of India. Here’s how the figures mapped out:
These were the numbers of the console sold. Let’s talk about Xbox 360 game CDs. A total of 1359 Xbox 360 CDs were sold, out of which, 44% were sold in the Southern Zone, then came the Western Zone with 41%, followed by the Northern Zone at 13%. Here too, like the Xbox 360 consoles, Eastern Zone was last with just 2%.
Apart from all this, we had a chance to talk to the dealers themselves and many of them gave their valuable time and spoke about the Xbox 360 and Microsoft. Some of the comments what we received were nice, many of them not. This is what we observed after talking to most of them:
- There are lots of enquires for the Xbox 360.
- In some areas, most people do not know what the Xbox 360 is exactly.
- Microsoft has not done enough to advertise the product.
- The graphics of the Xbox 360 are amazing.
- The price is too high. Indian consumers find the Xbox 360 costly.
- However, the Premium version on the Xbox 360, which costs Rs. 27, 750 (approx $630) is doing better than the Core version, which costs Rs, 19, 990 (approx. $450). These prices are above the average monthly wage of the common Indian.
- Most of the dealers refer to the Premium version as the ‘Pro’ version.
- Most of the customers rather buy the PS2 and if they have more money, are waiting for the PS3 to release in India.
- People also prefer the PS2 as pirated CDs of the console are readily available while there is no way to get a pirated Xbox 360 CD.
- Most of the sales were good in the affluent areas of the city.
- Dealers want that Microsoft should introduce more schemes like the ICICI one, and they want that scheme expanded.
- Most of the dealers were unhappy with the sales, but some of them were very happy with the way Xbox 360 was selling at their shop.
- 21 dealers scored ducks, i.e. they failed to sell a single Xbox 360 console or an Xbox 360 game.
- There were 2 dealers who were so frustrated that they gave up the dealership for the Xbox 360 console.
- There were many dealers who had just tied up with Microsoft and they were yet to receive stocks.
- Most of the dealers were happy with the Kiosks and said people enjoyed the Xbox 360, but as we mentioned above, left after hearing the price.
- There was a dealer who said, after seeing the Xbox graphics on the Samsung LCD, a customer instead opted for the LCD!
What we can make out is, that compared to the global figures, Xbox 360 is not doing that well in India. But the ones who will be happy to hear this are Sony, as Sony PS2 has become a rage over here. But on the flip side, if Indian customers find the Xbox 360 expensive, they will definitely find the PS3 steep too.
Disclaimer: The Xbox 360 sales figures mentioned on this page is on the basis of a survey conducted by us and it should not be construed as the “actual” Xbox 360 sales figures in India.