Microsoft preps for holiday Xbox game launches

It's never to early to prepare for the holiday shopping season, even if summer just recently officially started. Microsoft is wasting no time preparing the launch of a plethora of new games for its Xbox 360 gaming console as it wants to push Sony's PlayStation 3 further down the tubes while trying to get its claws on the market share for the popular Nintendo Wii.

The Nintendo Wii has become popular due to its physical engagement with the consumer as well as a number of family-friendly game titles. In general, games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have been meant for gamers, not your average everyday citizen. Nintendo realized that graphics prowess and technological superiority are not more important than emotionally engaging consumers, and sales of its Wii game console have proved that. Now, Microsoft wants a piece of that action, not surprisingly.

One of Microsoft's strengths on the Xbox 360 is the ability to use the console for more than games, something I noted a few days ago. Ol' 'Softie has partnered with Walt Disney Studios to provide movie downloads over the Xbox Live network in the U.S. and I'm quite sure that Microsoft is moving fast and furious into making the Xbox 360 a multi-function entertainment hub alongside its ability to play hard-core games and family-friendly and everyman-engaging titles as well. Maybe the 2007 holiday shopping season will see the Xbox 360 have its best selling season ever.