Microsoft gives Xbox 360 gamers more treats

The Xbox is neck-and-neck with the Wii in terms of overall sales. Both are beating the PS3 by some margin

Microsoft today has launched the UK version of its Video Marketplace. Using the service, Xbox Live subscribers will be able to download movies in SD and also HD onto their console's hard drive.

The service was announced a few weeks ago, but it only went live today. And to celebrate, Microsoft has confirmed the release of a new batch of Warner Bros movies on the service for Christmas.

Yet more movies

Microsoft has built a cosy relationship with Warner Bros and Europacorp in Europe to add films like 300, Zodiac, Harry Potter and The Good German. Xbox 360 owners can also expect to 'download to rent' additional Warner Bros films such as Batman Forever, Batman Returns, A nalyze That, before the end of the year.

Cost per download for a catalogue film is from as little as 250 Microsoft Points (around £2) for standard-definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (around £3.20) for high-definition ones.

"We are firmly committed to providing the best high definition entertainment experiences for our consumers. We feel great about the enthusiasm created last week around HD movies in the Xbox LIVE community," said Robin Truchy, director of Xbox Live in Europe.

"The good news is that the movie industry seems excited as well about this launch: we look forward to additional partners and content coming in 2008, alongside Warner Bros and Europacorp."

Cheap HD for limited time

Microsoft and Warner Bros are also offering eligible Xbox gamers a special Christmas treat. From 00.01a.m. on Friday 28 December until 11.59 pm the same day (24 hours only), you will be able to download "a mystery title" in HD for 99p in the UK. Stay tuned for more information on this soon.

Xbox 360 gamers in the UK can now access Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store with both an Xbox Live Silver or Gold membership and a broadband connection.

While movie downloads are currently a niche business venture for most studios and media companies, many analysts think it'll be big business in the future.

"As Hollywood turns its attention towards selling digital copies of its blockbuster movies, the delivery of movie content over the open internet has become a key battleground for a broad range of service providers," says Arash Amel, a senior analyst at Screen Digest.

VOD key for future

Screen Digest predicts that the total European movie download market will be worth £249m by 2012, up from £12m in 2007. "The Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store, as the first multi-territory hardware-based online movie delivery service in Europe, is expected to be a European market leader for movie downloads," he said.

"Consumers in both the US and Europe have already made it abundantly clear that they are reluctant to watch two-hour long films on their PC, instead preferring to view them on personal devices or most preferably devices that can provide a link to their large-screen living room TVs and home entertainment systems."

Movies that'll be available on December 11:
The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix reloaded
Ocean's Eleven
The Perfect Storm
Swordfish
Three Kings
Training Day
The Fugitive
Risky Business
Space Cowboys
Eyes Wide Shut
Analyze This
Demolition Man
Eraser
Executive Decision
Lethal Weapon 3 & 4
Mars Attacks!
Clash of the Titans
Superman 3
Dead Calm

James Rivington

James was part of the TechRadar editorial team for eight years up until 2015 and now works in a senior position for TR's parent company Future. An experienced Content Director with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. Skilled in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), E-commerce Optimization, Journalism, Digital Marketing, and Social Media. James can do it all.