Xbox bellies up to the bar

C|Net | at | by Mike

Microsoft on Monday announced a marketing partnership with Budweiser to promote its Xbox video game console, part of its push to find new ways to grab sales during the critical holiday season. Under the deal, Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch will help the software giant rotate 300 Xbox demo units through thousands of bars in the United States between now and the end of the year. Patrons will be invited to play Xbox games and to register to win promotional items from both companies.

While some analysts have said Microsoft needs to focus on younger consumers to reach a mass-market audience, the new promotion is another indication the company intends to continue courting older, hardcore gamers.