The video game console war will officially open its eastern front on Sept. 26 with the much anticipated arrival of Microsoft's Xbox One on the Russian market, according to local authorized retailers cited by online newspaper Gazeta.ru.
Microsoft and Sony are waging a global battle for supremacy in the highly contested and ruthlessly competitive market for next-generation gaming consoles. Microsoft's Xbox One has so far underperformed versus Sony's PlayStation 4 — two relatively comparable systems that have had global sales of about 5 million and 7 million units, respectively, since launching late last year, Forbes reported in June.
The sales figures are misleading, however, because Microsoft refrained from dumping the Xbox One into every possible market right off the bat. Xbox One is currently available in only 13 countries, while PlayStation 4 is selling in 50, including Russia.
Retailers told Gazeta.ru on Monday that the Xbox One will be sold in Russia for 21,000 rubles ($580). This will include a 500 GB hard drive, wireless controller, headset, HDMI cable and a 14-day subscription to the Microsoft online service Xbox Live Gold.
Sony also sells the PlayStation 4 with a 500 GB hard drive in Russia for 21,000 rubles. Both consoles sell for $399 in the U.S.
A second Xbox One package, priced at 27,500 rubles ($760), will include Xbox One's Kinect sensor, which allows users to interact with the machine without touching a controller by making gestures in front of the device's camera.
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