The Future of Home Entertainment is here as Kinect for Xbox 360 Launches across UAE

Kinect for Xbox 360 now available across 40 retailers in UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Nov. 11, 2010: Removing the last barrier between you and the entertainment experiences you love, Microsoft yesterday launched Kinect for Xbox 360 across the UAE . Bringing games, movies and music to life in living rooms across the country,  the time has come for you to control the way in which you watch, play and experience entertainment in a way you've never done before.

With strong pre-orders from consumers, eager fans and gaming enthusiasts lined up to be the first in UAE to take home Kinect for Xbox 360. Thousands of customers who have been waiting expectantly can now get their hands on the future of home entertainment, now available at more than 40 retailers nationwide.

Unlike any other consumer technology available today, Kinect for Xbox 360 lets you use your body and voice to play your favorite games and entertainment, literally turning you into the controller. Simply step in front of the revolutionary sensor, and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and learns how you play. No buttons. No barriers. Just you.

"What we're seeing with Kinect is an entertainment revolution in the living room - using cutting edge technology that's simple to use to deliver an immersive and visceral experience that everyone can be part of," said Armagan Demir, Head of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, Gulf. " We expected a great response from customers given the initial buzz and excitemement leading upto the launch, however the day 1 response and sales have been stunning and our biggest ever. We will build on this momentum so that more people get the opportunity to experience the magic of Kinect and Xbox 360 as it transforms games and entertainment in the living room."

According to Sumeet Aggarwal, an eager UAE Kinect fan and radio presenter, " I am really excited at this opportunity to finally get my hands on Kinect. I have been waiting for this for a long time. This is really the next evolution of gaming and I totally subscribe to the philosophy  behind this awesome device-the only experience you need is life experience."

With 17 Kinect games available-- including dance, fitness, sports, racing and family experiences -- Kinect gets everyone in the family off the couch, on their feet and in the game.

"We'e seen an unprecedented level of response for Kinect" said said Kishan Palija, Managing Director of  Geekay Games. "This was one of the most eagerly anticipated launches in the gaming industry and the consumer buzz around Kinect has been incredible. Our challenge on hand now will be to work closely with Microsoft to ensure we can meet the swelling demand as just the massive pre-orders have outstripped our day 1 supply. Given the response from our customers on launch day, we expect strong sales for Kinect going forward and we are all geared up to support our customers across our entire retail base in the UAE."

Kinect for Xbox 360 is a great value for the whole family. the Kinect sensor and "Kinect Adventures" game will be bundled together and priced at AED 699/- Estimated Retail Price (ERP) in the UAE. Kinect games, such as "Kinectimals," "Kinect Sports" and "Kinect Joy Ride," will retail at a price of AED 199 (ERP). In addition, the new Xbox 360 250GB and 4GB consoles will be available at AED 1,150 and AED 899 respectively. As part of a bundled offer, the all-new Xbox 360 4GB console, the revolutionary Kinect sensor and "Kinect Adventures" will be packaged together and priced at AED 1399 (ERP).  A similar bundle with the Xbox 360 250 GB console will be available  for AED 1650 (ERP).

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About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a portfolio of more than 300 games in nearly 40 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

For more information, please contact
Vikas Prabhakar
Asda'a Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +971 4 3344550
Fax: +971 4 3344556
v.prabhakar@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2010