Microsoft Addresses HD DVD Concerns

Seeking to quiet rumors that its Xbox 360 console sales would be affected by Toshiba Corp's expected discontinuation of HD DVD drive production, Microsoft's Games Global Marketing team released a statement responding to the prospect. “We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As we’ve long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry," the statement read. Since Wal-Mart's Friday announcement that it would no longer stock HD DVDs, carrying Sony's competing Blu-Ray discs as its only high-definition format, press reports have predicted Toshiba will announce its ceased support of HD DVD technology as soon as this week. "We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player," Microsoft added before reminding consumers about its alternative high-definition content-delivery methods. "HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.”