It seems that Microsoft and its Xbox 360 will enter the Eastern Europe, Middle East and South Africa markets. Xbox will be sold through both specialist and mainstream retailers by the end of 2006.

Launching in new territories was a key part of company strategy with regard to securing a strong foothold in the console market before the PlayStation 3 arrives in November said European Xbox boss Chris Lewis.

In Eastern Europe, the countries that will benefit from Xbox 360 are: Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Russia. Each country will have access to a localized version of Xbox Live, enabling them to communicate with other gamers using their own language, and that local helplines will also be established.

Europe is undoubtedly a key region for Microsoft with regard to the battle of the next-gen consoles. With the Xbox 360 performing well in the US but poorly in Japan, European sales could be the deciding factor in determining which of the big three leads the market following the release of the PS3 and Nintendo Revolution.

Waiting to see what this will bring and what Microsoft will do more before Playstation 3 will be launched.