Hardware Shortages Weaken Holiday Sales 26
GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that GTA: San Andreas was the tops in December sales, but overall 2004 sales were somewhat down because of PS2 and Xbox hardware shortages. From the article: "That leaves the industry on negative growth of one per cent for the calendar year, and even considering software alone, December still saw negative growth of five per cent and brought the calendar year growth figure down to seven per cent."
Why don't you (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Why don't you (Score:2)
Re:Why don't you (Score:1)
That's exactly what I'm going to do now.
Unfortunately, my girlfriend hates this game...
Re:Why don't you (Score:2)
Click here [ebgames.com] and then enter the coupon code SAVER to get free shipping.
Hardware Shortages? (Score:1)
No no no (Score:2)
Re:No no no (Score:2)
What about the PC? (Score:2, Interesting)
I tried... (Score:3, Informative)
Reminds me of a rather funny story... (Score:4, Funny)
It got to the point where people calling for PS2's became a joke itself. He even started calling(and getting his friends to call too) the store asking questions not unlike what the real customers asked:
"Gamestop. Dude Speaking"
"Do you have any PS2's?"
"No we do not."
"Well, could you just make me one before I come in?"
"No, we do not make the PS2's, only sell them."
"You're sure you don't have any PS2's in the back?"
"Gamestop. Dude Speaking"
(big southern drawl) "You have any of 'em Zeeee-boxes?"
"Um, you mean X-Box, sir?"
"NO, NO, *Zeeee*-Box. Like Zebra"
"Gamestop. Dude Speaking"
(irate father voice)"Are you guys taking preorders for the PSP2?"
"You mean PSP, sir?"
"No it's a PS....shut up! I'm trying to asking the man about it!"
Re:Reminds me of a rather funny story... (Score:2, Interesting)
Retail work SHITTY? (Score:2)
Holy shit, retail sales jobs suck, even if you're selling videogames? In fact, due to low margins and high competition, it actually sucks even more than usual retail jobs because you have to meet sales goals? No way!
Sorting boxes is shippin
There's still a shortage (Score:3, Interesting)
I tried, last Friday (2 1/2 weeks after the holidays) to try an buy an XBox. Everywhere I checked, not only did they not have any in, they hadn't had any for almost a month, and had no clue when they were going to get more.
I ended up looking around online, and finally found a place that had XBox + DVD player bundles for sale. That was all I could find. Though to be honest, I didn't go to the level of checking eBay or looking at random little web shops.
Re:There's still a shortage (Score:3, Informative)
I was able to find a slim PS2 two weeks ago. Great, but I also needed a memory card (for both PS1 and PS2) if I were to save my games...
It took me 9 days of shopping every day at EBgames, BestBuy, Toys'R'us, RadioShack, WalMart, Zellers and any other store that could remotely be associated with the idea of selling video game stuff before I could actually find a third party memory card somewhere.
Even the third party providers are having trouble meeting demand even week
dont forget the DS (Score:1)
the onyl ones ive come across are bundled with useless accessories and 5 games.
how can they supply the upcoming Aus/NZ launch if they still cant supply N.A.?
i can attest to this personally (Score:2)
More info (Score:2, Interesting)
Also, a New York Times article [nytimes.com] (mirror [iht.com]) says PC games are not included in the current numbers. They will be available "in the next few days."
Is there *really* a PS2 shortage? (Score:2)
I've seen reports [the-nextlevel.com] that the PStwo shortages were either almost only at EB Games, or were otherwise just shortages at individual brick-and-mortar stores, not widespread shortages. A lot of folks seem to think it's just a phony shortage to create hype around the PSt
Re:Is there *really* a PS2 shortage? (Score:1)
The official statement from Sony was that the holiday demand "exceded their expectations" and was "tough to calculate".
Why do sales aways have to go up? (Score:1)
Yes its nice if it is, but sometime you just peak out and cant do any better, or maybe its a baner year.
When these copanys complain about sales, saying they are down for X amount of time they are going off of last year or projections. Then when some overhyped game does not do as well they blame it on priates or shortages and dont look at the real causes.