Kinect to extend Xbox 360 lifecycle by five years

Microsoft has said that new motion controller Kinect, coupled with the release of the slimmer, quieter Xbox 360, will help extend the format's lifecycle for another five years.

However, speaking to GamesIndustry.biz last month, European executive Chris Lewis would not be drawn on details about pricing for Kinect hardware or software, nor would he offer any solid details on sales expectations for the new Xbox 360 and the motion controller.

"I think 2010 will be a very big year for us, it is in many ways for us mid-lifecycle," said Lewis. "What you've seen is with this new sleek design and Kinect for Xbox 360 we've got at least another five years of this generation where we continue to offer great experiences for people."

"We continue to attach more games than competitive platforms and we have the healthiest ecosystem with 25 million people connected through Xbox Live. So we are uniquely placed to continue to do really, really well in this business and enjoy ongoing momentum."

Although not offering numbers, Lewis said that sales expectations for the next financial year were aggressive, with pressure from the US on the revitalised system to perform well in Europe, a key territory for the business.

"I can't be explicit about the numbers but I can say our market share has grown. Our business ambition for this financial year, which begins on July 1, is certainly bigger than last year and we constantly set ourselves ambitious targets.

"Don Mattrick is not shy about aggressive targets for Europe because he now knows we've got the right assets, now more than ever, to really appeal to our audience."

The full interview, where Lewis also discusses commitment to the hardcore market and why the time isn't right for 3D, can be read here.