Kinect for Xbox 360 Hits Million Mark

Microsoft Corp. announced Monday that it has sold 1 million Kinect for Xbox 360 units worldwide in 10 days and is on pace to hit 5 million by the end of the year.

The announcement comes a week before the biggest selling day of the year, Black Friday, and in the wake of increasing momentum for Xbox 360, which, according to Microsoft, led U.S. video game console sales for the past four months.

“We are appreciative of the response we have seen from consumers that has culminated in sales of more than 1 million units in the first 10 days on the market for Kinect for Xbox 360,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

As Microsoft’s forays continue in the gaming-based entertainment market, the company decided to sell PC games through a Web store. It said the Games for Windows Marketplace will offer PC gamers an array of games. (Read: Windows Opening Gates for Games on Demand)

With its digital entertainment offerings, the company is not only attracting individual consumers, but it has also roped in big corporate brands.

For example, Microsoft Advertising says that companies are bringing their brands to Kinect for Xbox 360, its new controller-free gaming and entertainment experience that responds to body movement.

Chevrolet, Sprint and T-Mobile USA Inc. will each launch respective ad campaigns throughout the Kinect console experience, “Kinect Sports,” “Kinect Adventures” and “Kinect Joy Ride” game titles. (Read: How Top Brands Will Use Kinect for Xbox 360)

Before the Kinect launch, Microsoft raised its worldwide sales forecast from 3 million to 5 million sensors sold by year-end.

Kinect launched in North America on Nov. 4, followed by Europe on Nov. 10, and will land next in Asia (Nov. 18) and Japan (Nov. 20).

By this holiday, controller-free games and entertainment will reach more than 60,000 retailers in 38 countries with up to 17 Kinect games available, says the company.

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For Xbox 360 consumers worldwide, Kinect provides an exciting way to access and interact with entertainment. With just the wave of a hand or the sound of a voice, consumers can play games, stream music, watch HD movies and live ESPN sporting events, and engage in video chat.

Microsoft also recently announced that the more than 25 million Xbox LIVE members have spent more than 1 billion hours on the service a month, an average of over 40 hours per member.

The company released franchise games such as “Halo: Reach” and “Fable III” for consumers this fall. It announced that Xbox 360 will be the first console to launch add-on content for all “Call of Duty” titles through 2012, helping drive industry software sales.

With Xbox 360, Kinect and Xbox LIVE, Microsoft aims to become a leading gaming and social entertainment service in the living room and the industry this holiday.

Photo courtesy: Microsoft