The Xbox 360 system will come fully equipped with a 20 GB detachable Xbox 360 hard drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 wireless controller, an Xbox 360 media remote control and a component HD-AV cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an ethernet cable and batteries.

Having sold 5.5 million units already globally, Microsoft is expected to make a killing in this city, with a sales target of 55,000 units, to be expanded country-wide to an estimated figure of 1.6 million active gamers. By 2007 the Xbox 360 will be available in 40 countries, including Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, South Africa. The existing market for the console includes North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

The company has reportedly bagged orders for 10,000 units already. 'The PC penetration in Pune is the highest in the country and this shows that people here have a good appetite for technology. Also there are a huge number of higher educational institutions where not only 'geeks' but even engineering and medical students are hooked on to gaming,' said Mohit Anand, country manager, entertainment and devises division, Microsoft India, at an event to introduce the Xbox 360 recently.

The company plans to utilise shopping malls, TV stores, entertainment stores and computer shops as outlets for the console, to place an Xbox within 2 km of every Pune-ite.

Microsoft has appointed Redington as its sales partner which has a sales force of 1,200 people and 61 offices in India. A 100-strong team is working on the project currently, and plans are afoot to launch 1,100 demo 'touch points' in seven cities.

The Xbox 360 launch will be the first ever full-scale launch of any gaming console in the country, and the company plans to provide some Indianised content, consisting of 25 titles initially, to which 10 new would be added every month. By year end Microsoft hopes to sell 10 million Xboxes all over the globe.