New Delhi: Microsoft Corp. would launch its Xbox 360 gaming console in India, the world’s largest software maker announced on Tuesday.

Microsoft plans to introduced the gaming Xbox 360 console in India by Diwali or the festival of lights, when the country is generally in a shopping spree to commemorate the festival of lights.

Annual bonuses are paid to many Indian employees during the Diwali season. This year, Diwali falls on October 21.

Microsfot estimates that India’s boomin economy has spurred spending as a result of increased wages.

Microsoft’s main rival in the business, Sony Corp. ie expected to launch its PlayStation 3 console in US in November. And Microsoft’s move to launch XbOx 360 in India by October may also be prompted by that, analysts said.

The US-based software giant has priced the Xbox 360 , its controller and a game for $439, which will come to around 19,990 Indian rupees.
It remains to be seen how much India’s estimated 1.6 million gamers warm up to that price.

In US, Microsoft sells Xbox 360 and a controller between $299-$399, while a game is charged $50-$60.

As per Microsoft’s own estimate India’s 1.6 million gamers spend at least 2 hours on gaming consoles every day.

Microsoft’s retail outlets for the Xbox 360 would be located in main Indian cities and technology hubs of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad, spread over an estimated 1,200 outlets.

Microsoft expects to sell around 5.5 million units of Xbox 360 by June. The company is not projecting any sales figure for India and has no plans to develop a gaming development centre in India.