Microsoft Corp is taking a huge gamble on its new sci-fi combat game "Titanfall" that it will be a big enough hit to help boost sales of its Xbox One videogame device as it competes for sales with Sony's PlayStation 4 console.
Microsoft hosted over 6,000 midnight launch events around the world for "Titanfall," one of the most anticipated new products for the Xbox One.
"Titanfall" is on sale now for $60.
The videogame allows players to go one-on-one as soldiers, or take over giant robots in war-torn settings, according to Microsoft.
"We're making a big bet that 'Titanfall' is going to be a blockbuster launch for Xbox," said Yusuf Mehdi, head of marketing and strategy for Microsoft's Xbox group, according to Reuters.
Microsoft will also promote the game at South by Southwest, an annual gathering of filmmakers, musicians, and tech industry experts that is now under way in Texas.
The game was developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It will be available for older Xbox 360 consoles starting March 25.
Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launched in November last year.
Microsoft has not provided updated sales figures since January, when it confirmed Xbox One sales reached three million units as of the end of 2013.
The PlayStation 4 is sold for $399, whereas the Xbox One is sold for $499.
Microsoft announced last month an Xbox One and "Titanfall" bundle would be available for $499, meaning the game is essentially for free.
Most experts in the gaming industry are watching to see if "Titanfall" can become the next "Halo," which was released exclusively for Xbox back in 2001. The sci-fi shooter game became a sensation around the world, and helped fuel sales of Xbox consoles for a number of years.
"We don't have a sales forecast for the game to share, but we expect it to be big for us," Mehdi said.
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