From Sep. 1, only Amazon.in will sell Xbox hardware and game titles in India.
Microsoft India surprised almost everybody today by announcing that starting September 1, its entire Xbox lineup and Xbox games will be available exclusively through Amazon.in, including the Xbox One which will start selling from September 23. Microsoft’s new console will be live for pre-order from August 6 and will be launched for Rs. 39,990 without the Kinect and Rs. 45,990 with it.
To coincide with Microsoft’s announcement, Amazon has revealed some pre-order bonuses for Indian consumers. Consumers who pre-order the Xbox One will receive a free copy of FIFA 15 while buying the Xbox One with the Kinect will nab a free copy of Dance Central Spotlight. Also, quoting from the Microsoft press release, “the first 1000 buyers will also get special offers worth Rs. 10,000 which include Rs. 3000 off on purchase of a second Xbox One controller, Amazon.in Gift Cards worth Rs. 1500, 2 free Blu-ray movies worth Rs. 2500 (The Amazing Spiderman 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Rs. 2000 off on a selected range of speakers and Rs. 1000 off on a selected range of backpacks.”
Anshu Mor, Director, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft India revealed that Microsoft would continue to support traditional retailers selling Xbox hardware up to 30 August, following which the entire portfolio would be exclusively sold through Amazon.in. Microsoft’s Xbox portfolio in India consists of Xbox One, Xbox 360, Kinect, Xbox Live, Xbox Accessories and all Microsoft-published Xbox game titles.
The original press release follows:
New Delhi, 6th August, 2014: Microsoft today announced that the entire range of its Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) portfolio would be available in India exclusively on Amazon.in beginning September 1, 2014. This will include Xbox One, Xbox 360, Kinect, Xbox Live, Xbox Accessories and all Microsoft-published Xbox game titles. Amazon.in also announced exclusive pre-orders for Xbox One beginning today.
Commenting on the same, Chakrapani Gollapali, Country General Manager – Consumer Channels Group, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. said, “As a core pillar of our consumer strategy in India, we see tremendous opportunity in delivering our products and services to the ever-expanding natively digital audience. We believe this collaboration with Amazon gives us the platform to build scale at an unprecedented level for the gaming and entertainment category in India. We also see opportunities to nurture and build unique experiences in partnership with local content companies that have come together to give fans in India the best gaming and entertainment experience ever. This is the first time that we will be focusing on retailing our products through an ‘online only’ channel and we look forward to bringing the world’s most-loved gaming portfolio to Indian consumers through India’s largest and fastest growing online store Amazon.in”
“We are very excited to be the partner of choice for Microsoft’s entire Interactive Entertainment Business portfolio in India. We are the fastest growing eCommerce platform in the country today and this partnership is a validation of the faith customers and sellers place on our brand. This partnership gives us the opportunity to forge deeper engagement with gaming enthusiasts across the country and aligns with our vision of offering customers in India the widest selection at low prices, fast and reliable delivery and a trustworthy shopping experience,” said Mr. Samir Kumar, Director – Category Management, Amazon India.
With this announcement, Amazon.in has also launched the pre-orders for Xbox One from today (August 6th) that includes an exciting bundle. Consumers pre-ordering the Xbox One will get the blockbuster game FIFA 15 for free. The Kinect bundle will include an additional free game of Dance Central Spotlight. In addition, the first 1000 customers will also get special offers worth Rs. 10,000 which include Rs. 3000 off on purchase of a second Xbox One controller, Amazon.in Gift Cards worth Rs. 1500, 2 free Blu-ray movies worth Rs. 2500 (The Amazing Spiderman 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Rs. 2000 off on a selected range of speakers and Rs. 1000 off on a selected range of backpacks.
As announced previously the Xbox One will be available in India beginning September 23rd, 2014 priced at INR 39,990 and Xbox One with Kinect will be available at INR 45,990. The Kinect version will offer a number of games and entertainment experiences exclusive to Xbox including gesture controls, biometric sign-in, Skype video calls and more.
According to Anshu Mor, Director – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft India, “This is a historic moment for Xbox in India. This unique partnership and the launch of Xbox One will bring a colossal line-up of exclusive blockbusters, the best multi-player experience and amazing entertainment experiences like Game DVR, Twitch, Live TV Pass Thru, Snap on TV, Skype, Voice commands through Kinect and Internet Explorer. We are also committed to bring local movies, music and on-demand TV as part of our entertainment portfolio for the Xbox Live service.
He further added “We will continue to support sales of Xbox 360 portfolio till 30th of August across our existing retail channels, post which the portfolio will become exclusive to Amazon.in. We also believe that Amazon India would offer consumers a great purchase experience and full assurance of getting a genuine console with warranty support in India.”
All customers on www.amazon.in benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, no-risk hassle-free returns policy, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee. The entire range of its Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) is being made available through sellers on the Amazon.in marketplace. Microsoft in India will honour warranty support only for Xbox One consoles bought on www.amazon.in
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