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Businesses XBox (Games)

UK Retailers See Conspiracy In Xbox Supplies 51

Posted by Zonk from the their-dogs-are-looking-at-them dept.
Gamasutra.com has the news that UK retailers are beginning to be suspicious of the continued shortages of Xbox console supplies. From the article: "So prolonged, and apparently unexplained, have the problems become that conspiracy theories have begun to circulate regarding ulterior motives for the shortages. Many retailers are now openly speculating whether Microsoft has in fact ceased production of the console, in favour of the next generation machine, or is at least limiting its support to larger retail chains." Maybe you should have hung on to the GameCube, huh guys?
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UK Retailers See Conspiracy In Xbox Supplies More

UK Retailers See Conspiracy In Xbox Supplies

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  • I like the GameCube too, but... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by jgclark123 ( 812195 ) <jgclark123&gmail,com> on Friday March 04, 2005 @05:02PM (#11848462) Journal
    I like the GameCube too, but maybe the fact that GameCubes aren't as popular would explain the lack of a shortage. But the conspiracy theorists make a good point. Microsoft clearly wants to rule the world by not selling merchandise. It's so brilliant, I wish that I had thought of it first.
    • Microsoft clearly wants to rule the world by not selling merchandise. It's so brilliant, I wish that I had thought of it first.

      Correct me if I misunderstand you, but is the contention here that Microsoft is deliberately decreasing production in order to stimulate demand? Is it that people, by their very nature, always want what they can't have? Are they attempting to instill a mentality of "if I can't purchase one, on account of the previous allotment having sold out, that they therefore must be superior
      • My guess is he thinks that people will go out and buy one if they're running short so they can get one before they are gone forever. I know shortages on other things have convinced me to buy them. *cough* Sega Dreamcast *cough* I know if there is something I'm considering buying, and I hear that supplies are getting low, I'll rush out to buy it before it is gone.
      • Yes, and soon, they will start shooting some of their customers, in an effort to make their console actually a tiny bit cool!

        There's still a vacancy for the function of hitman. Interested? ;-)
  • buy the dongle for headsets seperately (I've never seen it offered). What is it made of, MS Patentium or something?
  • Can anyone say Ebay?

  • Using old parts (Score:2, Informative)

    by assassinator42 ( 844848 )
    This [xbox-scene.com] thread states that Microsoft is using older motherboards in their new xboxes. People theorize that it's either because the old boards are cheaper or because they're using leftover parts or something like that.

  • The real problem (Score:1, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    IIRC the Xbox Console USM ships with the Thompson DVD drive standard, pictured here in middle [llamma.com]. The Thompson drive costs much less [llamma.com] than the Hitachi, Samsung, or Phillips drives that can also be used. But some of the Thompson drives have problems [llamma.com]. These problems don't show up [llamma.com] with games written on single layer (orig Halo, JSRF/Sega, D&D Heroes, etc.), only with games written in 2-layer DVD (LOTR Third Age, KOTOR II, GTA:SA, etc.). The problems require a multimeter and Torx drivers to fix and you can'

  • US too (Score:3, Informative)

    by prockcore ( 543967 ) on Friday March 04, 2005 @08:21PM (#11849907)
    XBox accessories are in short supply in the US as well.

    I looked everywhere for an xbox live headset. Every Circuit City and Best Buy (and Gamestop and EBGames) was sold out in the city of tucson.

    Gamestop was selling those crappy 3rd party "Halo2" branded headsets, but everyone else was out of everything.

    I ended up having to buy the thing on circuit city's website (bestbuy's website says they're backordered).
  • Maybe you should have hung on to the GameCube, huh guys?

    That assumes that people would go ahead and buy a GameCube in lieu of an XBox, something that doesn't seem very likely.

    Rob
    • Why not? The games are a lot more fun to play on the cube - and if you NEED gore you can always play Resident Evil 4.

      Seriously, I don't understand what makes people play the same old stuff over and over again (inset any racing game or sports game here) instead of playing stuff that's FUN. Paper Mario 2, as an example.

      Oh well, I guess I'm just too kiddie (>30yo) for the Xbox ...
      • Why not? The games are a lot more fun to play on the cube

        In your opinion. Which was my point; most people who would buy an XBox before a GameCube would not buy a GameCube in its stead. The two styles are just too different.

        Seriously, I don't understand what makes people play the same old stuff over and over again (inset any racing game or sports game here) instead of playing stuff that's FUN. Paper Mario 2, as an example.

        Ironic that you would use a sequel as an example of something that's not "the s
      • Seriously, I don't understand what makes people play the same old stuff over and over again

        Um, wrong platform to bring up that argument on. Can you say:

        Super Smash Bros.

        Mario Party 4, 5 and 6

        Mario Tennis

        Mario Karts

        Mario Golf

        not to mention that Paper Mario is a rehash

        Don't get me wrong, I own a GameCube and an Xbox. But "FUN" is a subjective term. I have a friend who's only gaming interest is the latest iteration of Madden. That's FUN to him. Bores me to tears though.

        • Paper Mario 2 is a lot more different to Paper Mario than Madden XXXX is to Madden XXXY - right? That's my argument. Same goes to Super Mario Sunshine being very different to Mario 64, Mario Kart DD playing extremely different to Mario Kart 64 etc.

          Don't let the names confuse you - play the games.
          • Um. No. All of those games are derivative of their predecessors. Sure Mario Sunshine is different from Mario 64 in that the environments are different and they added some new gameplay mechanics. BUT it is still a 3rd person platform game with the same basic conventions. Hell, they may call them "shines" but they are still stars that you are collecting.
            To say that Mario Kart DD is extremely different from Mario Kart 64 is just not true. It is an updated version, with some new gameplay mechanics (two people o

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