Australians rack up 27 million Xbox LIVE hours in 2008

In 2008 the Australian hunger for Xbox LIVE online membership grew by 88 percent, and though it is only a small sector of the global economy (half a million of the global 28 million Xbox 360’s sold), Australia houses a hunger for getting communal online.

According to statistics gathered by Microsoft, more than 50 percent of the 500,000 Xbox 360’s in the country are hooked up to Xbox LIVE. And along with playing online multiplayer games, they are chatting, exchanging photos and downloading 4.2 million items from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Kimberley Francis, Xbox Marketing Director said, “We expect people to continue to stay at home more in tough times. People seem to be pulling back on some luxuries but spending more on goods that make the home a more enjoyable place. Australians really get the online component that sets the Xbox console apart and enables a richer, more connected experience.”