Mark Androvich 16:29 (BST)
04/12/2007

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Don Mattrick, senior vp of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment, thinks the Xbox 360 is the best value for the money this holiday season.

"On a price per value basis, I think we win...relative to Sony and Nintendo," he told an MSNBC reporter.

"Of course, I'm biased given the role that I'm in but if I really think about it using my consumer instincts and the experience that I've had, this is the best blend of performance, price, online and games - by far."

Mattrick, who came to his current position at Microsoft in July just as the company admitted Xbox 360 hardware failures and launched a billion dollar warranty program, thinks that the company has definitely recovered.

"I think we're getting to the point of critical mass in terms of the number of hits. I think we have the highest rated content ever to exist on a gaming system," he said.

Although he noted that the system would have a collection of exclusive and third-party hits next year, he mentioned only Grand Theft Auto IV, which he felt had the potential to be the "Halo equivalent" in the calendar year 2008.

Mattrick also said that he thinks the Xbox 360 has the potential to have the same shelf life as the PlayStation 3, which Sony is predicting will last a decade. Considering the challenge of getting the original Xbox to market and making the transition to the Xbox 360, he was pleased with the company's progress.

"I think we've got great fundamentals, and we're going to continue to drive against those fundamentals to over-deliver value and satisfaction to consumers," Mattrick concluded.

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