NPD: Xbox 360 is "industry's sole bright spot," says Microsoft
Xbox Live also grows boosted by EA's Battlefield: 1943
Representatives from Microsoft's Xbox division have released an official reaction to the NPD Group's videogame sales data for July of 2009, calling the Xbox 360's hardware growth the "industry's sole bright spot" in 2009.
According to the statement, the Xbox 360 is the only console to show growth in 2009, with a 17 per cent increase in sales over the same seven-month period in 2008.
"Amid a tough economic climate, Xbox 360 is the only home console showing growth in the US this year, offering wallet-watching consumers the best value with a USD 199 starting price, the broadest selection of games for everyone, and innovative social and entertainment experiences they can’t get anywhere else," said Microsoft.
Microsoft also reported continued growth in online play amongst its Xbox Live subscribers, and that EA's Battlefield: 1943 "shattered the record for first-day and first-week downloads" in its July debut.