The US-based software giant Microsoft announced on August 17 that it has decided to put the next-generation Xbox 360 into market on the occasion of Christmas shopping season at the end of the year, with a price of 399.99 US dollars.

Being price at 399.99 US dollars, the Xbox 360 thus became the most expensive digital video game in the North America market in the past ten years.

Meanwhile, Microsoft also announced that the Xbox 360 with the lowest configuration, that is, the Xbox of "simple version" which includes a 20-G hard disk which can store games, music as well as other downloads, remote control, earphone, wireless controller and members card, is priced at 299.99 US dollars.

"The price of Xbox 360 in the European market is a little higher than that in the North American market," added Microsoft, "For instance, the Xbox 360 is retailed at 209 pounds or 378 US dollars in the US. However, its retail price in other European countries is from 299 euros or 368 US dollars.

By People's Daily Online