Microsoft announced today that its Xbox One was the best-selling home console in the U.S. in November and December, two of the most important months of the year for gaming system sales. Microsoft also said that it would keep the console at its holiday price of $350.
The company said that weekly average sales for the Xbox One were 50 percent better in November and December, compared to comparable Xbox 360 sales during the first part of its lifecycle in the previous generation.
Microsoft Xbox chief Phil Spencer said that Microsoft had a great holiday quarter. He said 2015 is shaping up to be an “amazing year” for Microsoft.
“Building off a record-setting holiday, we are excited to announce a new promotion in which fans in the U.S. can buy an Xbox One at a special price of $349, starting tomorrow, Jan. 16, from their preferred retailer,” said Mike Nichols, the corporate vice president of marketing for Xbox, in a statement. “We are thankful for all the excitement for Xbox One this holiday and proud to offer more fans the amazing games lineup, Xbox Live gaming community, and continual innovation that Xbox One fans have come to enjoy.”
Microsoft said that Xbox One sold more games throughout November and December in the U.S. than any other current-generation platform. Microsoft said that fans have played 18 million games of the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta since the end of December.
Others coming include Forza Motorsport 6, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Evolve, Screamride, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ori and the Blind Forest, Battlefield Hardline, and more.
Microsoft also hinted it will be sharing more about Windows games at a Jan. 21 event, where the company will talk about the Windows 10 operating system. Microsoft said that users logged 8 billion hours in apps across Xbox 360 and Xbox One, up 50 percent from time spent in 2013.