Xbox 360 enters Australia via Commonwealth Games

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 14 March 2006 16:18

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While computer games enthusiasts get in line for 23 March release of Xbox 360 in Australia, dozens of the machines will already be available for the use of athletes staying in the Commonwealth Games village in Melbourne more than one week earlier.

In a overt display of the world's largest software company's unrivalled marketing hype, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Microsoft entertainment equipment has been shipped to Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games, including dozens of the yet-to-be-released Xbox 360 console, Windows Media Center PCs, and high-definition Samsung LCD screens, for the entertainment of athletes during their down time. While mere mortals will have to wait until 23 March, athletes will have the use of Xboxes from 15 March.

Situated in the athlete’s village, the Xbox 360 Entertainment Lounge allows athletes to play next-generation video games as well as have access to thousands of songs, video clips, and review Commonwealth Games coverage.

However, the news isn't all bad for budding Xbox 360 junkies. There will also be an event open to the public called  Xbox 360 Experience at Interact, Birrarung Marr close to Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. Organisers expect more than 30,000 people to visit the Xbox 360 Experience to see the new consoles and Windows Media Center in action during the Games. The Xbox 360 Experience is open to the general public from 9am to 10pm and will also feature visits from Australian sporting stars.