Tech Shout!

Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division has zeroed upon Redington as its solitary distribution partner in India for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

Microsoft will power Redington’s 9000 strong network for reaching out to resellers and other consumer touch points across top seven cities in the country namely Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkatta and Pune.

Under the distribution agreement, Redington will invest in setting-up a network of 15 chief Xbox 360 stores in these Indian seven cities. Redington will also assign a team of 35 trained personnel who will drive the after sales service delivery and back-end service support for Xbox 360.

It will have a few special Xbox 360 gaming lounges too, housing only Microsoft products.

Microsoft already has Xbox 360 lounge at an IMOX theatre complex in Mumbai for its Xbox 360 games in India.

After sales service Redington will provide support and warranty on Xbox 360 console through its seven service centers across the seven cities. Redington will also serve orders under Microsoft’s pre-order campaign on Xbox 360 console in India, which is currently underway.

Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, India, said, “We share a long-standing partnership with Redington in India and they are our partners of choice for distributing Xbox 360 too. We are confident that together we will be able to reach out to the ever expanding space of gaming enthusiasts in India and bring to them Xbox 360 game console, which is undoubtedly the best digital entertainment platform available today.”

“Xbox 360 is an ultimate technology product with unmatched features. With high percentage of young population and increasing income levels, Indians are looking for newer ways of entertainment. Given that India is almost a virgin market for gaming devices, we see a big opportunity for Xbox 360. We are quite excited about the product and our partnership with Microsoft for distribution and post sales services for this product,” said J.S Kulkarni, CEO, Redington India Ltd.

The consoles will be of two kinds, one XBOX 360 model costing Rs.19,991 and another, with a wireless control, which will cost about Rs.23,999.

The Xbox 360 unit will have a CPU with a hard drive, a memory unit, high definition graphics, wireless control, plug and play facility, and also facilities for plugging in add-ons like DVDs, iPods, cameras and other electronic equipment, which can all be seen and heard on the same console.

Xbox 360 games in India will have to be bought individually.

This is the first time that Microsoft will be bringing gaming products into India, and says it is acquiring a leadership position in this segment by being in India ahead of all others in the business.