"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer upped the ante against the Sony PS3 this week during a lengthy interview with Investor's Business Daily.

The loud sound you hear is once again heard from another Microsoft executive, who is committed on winning the Xbox 360 console war against the Sony PS3. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is confident about Microsoft's Xbox 360 strategies against its competitors for the coming year against the Sony PlayStation 3.

Some video gamers at GameSHOUT tell us that it's not surprising that executives of a video game console maker is claiming the bragging rights of their product, afterall, it is about selling product. But other video gamers feel that Microsoft is speaking loud because of worries and concerns of their future Xbox 360 product.

The Xbox 360 is up against two new rivals this year which include the Nintendo Revolution and the Sony PlayStation 3. So far, Microsoft has not been able to win the battle in territories already owned by Nintendo and Sony, which is Japan.

"We knew Japan was going to be tough," said Ballmer, but "I'd still call the launch phenomenal. I think in this generation we can win. I'm not sure we're going to beat Sony in Japan this generation. Maybe. But we're going to beat Sony. We're off to a very good start. We're on track to sell between 4.5 to 5.5 million units by the end of our fiscal year, which is great."

However, the 4.5 to 5.5 million estimate has recently become Microsoft's benchmark of success, after much-reported but unspecified manufacturing difficulties caused the company to abandon its original 90-day target of 2.75 to 3 million consoles shipped." [more]