
3 Million in Xbox 2 Sales At Christmas? 151
Forbes has a look at the upcoming release of the Xbox 2 console, from Goldman-Sachs. Speculation is put forth on the unit's cost as well as how it might do in sales. From the article: "The research firm, which rates Microsoft at 'outperform,' expects Xbox 2 to be available for retail sale in October or November at a retail price of about $249 to $299."
3 million? (Score:3, Insightful)
Okay, seriously. if they have them in STOCK this year and Sony's PS/3 doesn't come out at the same time, then maybe. But it took almost 6 months to reach the million mark for PS/2's.
Re:3 million? (Score:1)
My bad... (Score:2)
Unless the reason for the XBox shortage they had over Christmas was because they had stopped XBox development and were building X2's I don't think they'll have 3 million built by Christmas either. (They couldn't meet demand last Christmas... I talked my uncle into getting one and we went to 5 stores in a major city and they were all empty.)
Re:My bad... (Score:2)
Re:3 million? (Score:2)
It depends (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:It depends (Score:3, Interesting)
Of the 6 million or so people who bought Halo 2 in the opening months...a super-deluxe version in HD with new maps, and an ending would entice at least a million people to buy right away.
Including me.
MX vs. ATV is an HD game...but it looks like ass. Yes, very clear ass, but still ass. I would like to see what the Xbox 2 hardware can do with HD.
Re:It depends (Score:2)
Why all this unnecessary hype. Is like celebrating the release of tetris on Nokia because it is such a dry platform. Xbox library is riding literally on about 10 top games.
Re:It depends (Score:2)
And just think about the difference in installed base of Xbox vs. PC.
Now there must be SOME reason that 6 million people are willing to buy the game. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean that everyone else shares
Re:It depends (Score:2)
You just mentioned "Ghost Recon, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, TOCA Race Driver 2". All of these are available on other platforms.
Also you should compare xbox install base with PC-gamers install base. If you count PC install base in general, that will count corporate users with no intention of gaming. And like it or not, 6 million peopl
Re:It depends (Score:2)
Including me.
I'm not so sure, would one-sixth the people who bought Halo 2 buy the same thing, again, and an entirely new system to play it on, in order to play it with better graphics? I think for most people to take the plunge again, it'll take more than just this, especially since Halo 2 was the big console game *thi
First to Market (Score:4, Insightful)
My main concern is that developers will not be ready to properly take advantage of the technology at launch. Thus, there will be a laundry list of ho-hum crap on XBox2 and the early launch will begin the decline of XBox. This is all speculation and conjecture but my gut tells me that XBox 2 will be about as big a hit as the PSP. That is, some hardcore gamers will rush out and pick it up, but most will have a wait-and-see-PS3 mentality.
Re:First to Market (Score:4, Insightful)
I am not sure what you mean by "played-out" but the current gen is not adequate for HD. Microsoft is trying to beat everyone to the market with a system that can truly take advantage of HDTVs, I believe this may be a good strategy for them. The jump from standard def to high def is going to be more noticeable then the jump between the that last gen of consoles to the current one.
Re:First to Market (Score:2, Insightful)
So they're targeting those with too much money or too little sense? I don't know if the XBox2 is going to do well or not, but if _that's_ their marketing plan i'm going to downgrade their odds a few notches.
The PS2
Re:First to Market (Score:4, Informative)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
So in addition to the mark-up for improved picture quality, to get much use out of it beyond progressive scan DVDs and upcoming consoles, you have to either buy a tuner and be lucky enough t
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Informative)
As the parent mentioned, the 32" 16:9 is smaller vertically than the 4:3 32". I really wish companies would quit using the diagonal dimensions to make consumers just go "Wow! a 32" screen" even though it's the same size as a regular 25" vertically (just guessing). They need to just tell us the width by height ins
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
A 32" 16:9 screen has dimensions 27.9x15.7 while a 4:3 would have 25.6x19.2.
A 32" 4:3 (25.6x19.2) would need a 39.1" 16:9 screen (34.1x19.2) to get the same height.
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Interesting)
Just this weekend I finally ran 1080i for the first time. I was very happily surprised when my TV showed the image in a letterbox format...I was a little worried that it would just chop off the edges.
So my gamble paid off- I've been enjoying a nice big 4:3 TV for a year and a half...and I am ready
Re:First to Market (Score:1)
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Yes, if there were lots of HDTV's in living rooms already, it might be true that the "current generation of consoles is played out." But as it stands, there are precious few. Well, I guess we'll see what Xbox2 looks like and what games there will be. It took a while since the launch of the first Xbox to convince people that the games are worth buying. I suspect the same this time around. I
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Interesting)
The PS3 is scheduled for a 2006 release.
Despite the fate that hit the consoles trying to launch before Sony (Saturn, Dreamcast) I believe MS is going to take first place with the Xenon. Sony had their two generations on the top now, their policies are starting to piss devs off and the Cell might prove to be a bigger problem for devs than thought to be. MS has the momentum, they are seen
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Interesting)
How do you figure?
Remember that the SNES and the Genesis were in the same console generation. You'd be hard pressed to say that either company "won" that round, and Sega was hardly a newcomer at this point. You can't call Microsoft a newcomer anymore either.
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Back to your point, considering the fact that the Genesis only won for a short while, in Europe and the US, and then was swept by the SNES everywhere, yeah, I could say that the SNES won that round.
(this from a proud genesis owner).
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:First to Market (Score:1)
Because of more competition, owning all the consoles will probably cost more than $1000. Even if one waits for the consoles to drop in place, it'll still probably be $600-$700.... Not many people can afford that. Most people will probably only buy a single console and a single portable system. I'm one of those people, to be honest. I picked the console that has the most of the games I like, but there are still games for the co
Re:First to Market (Score:1)
Re:First to Market (Score:1)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:4, Funny)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
I don't really see any benefit. Homogenizing the hardware for compatability would mean that developers wouild be less likely to program for anything but the lowest common denominator. Hardware differences and software library are the two things the console companies use to try to sell their systems. And they want you to buy an Xbox game, or a Gamecube game or whatever - because they make their money off
Re:First to Market (Score:2, Interesting)
Where have you been for the last four years?
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
How would the PSP hurt them? One reason I believe Nintendo is still in the console game is because of the gameboy. I'd think the PSP would have a similar effect on PS3 sales that the iPod has on Mac sales.
Sorry, not trying to flame you, I just don't see the PSP as anything but postive for Sony.
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
I don't think your iPod->Mac comparison makes a lot of sense in this area. The iPod dominates its niche, while the Mac is a niche product. The PSP->Playstation situation is the complete opposite. Playstation is the videogame console brand now (though you could reasonably argue Xbox has is on top nowadays when it comes to "cool").
But even more importantly I don't think one platform transfers
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Insightful)
That's how system launches go nowadays. Here're the best games (in my opinion) to launch with systems in recent years:
Dreamcast: Sonic Adventure
PS2: SSX
GBA: Super Mario Advance (Mario 2)
GameCube: Luigi's Mansion
Xbox: Halo (well, I hated it, but I'm the only one)
DS: Mario 64
PSP: Lumines (I haven't played it, but this is what they say is the best)
The DS and PSP still need more time to prove themselves, but the rest of those games, save for
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:First to Market (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, The best launch title for the Dreamcast was by far Soul Calibur. It was actually better than the arcade version, not only in extras but also graphically. You are correct though, for the most part launch titles suck.
Re:First to Market (Score:2)
BTW, I didn't hate Halo, but I thought it was mediocre. Halo (1
Re:First to Market (Score:4, Insightful)
There's a difference between "played out" and "I wanna see something new". Assuming the XBOX 2 is visually better than the XBOX (given the serious upgrade in texture RAM, I'd say this is likely) there'll be demand for it. Since the XBOX does have a decent following right now, they've already got their early adopter base.
"My main concern is that developers will not be ready to properly take advantage of the technology at launch."
The extra RAM alone will be more than enough. Textures will come in at higher res and in multiple passes. It's not like they'll have to turn the dev kit upside down to make this happen.
"This is all speculation and conjecture but my gut tells me that XBox 2 will be about as big a hit as the PSP. That is, some hardcore gamers will rush out and pick it up, but most will have a wait-and-see-PS3 mentality."
Eh. I don't think it's that clear. Part of the PSP's problem is that it's too expensive. Another part of the PSP's problem is that it's a portable PS2... so what? The XBOX 2, however, is (or at least should be) considerably more powerful. It shouldn't be any more than $299, which is a fairly standard price. And it's likely MS will show some compelling demos to say "Yep, this thing is cooll!" I've seen a few screengrabs of next-gen samples, and yeah, the difference will be noticable.
I can't say you're wrong, but you definitely will not be right until the event has happened.
Well, Zonk's sold. (Score:3, Insightful)
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing my Xbox, but the early bird pre-unveiling expectant hype before the hype is a bit much, no?
More market spin (Score:2, Interesting)
That's what was said in the article. This means that the quarter can range from NOV to JAN and beyond. So this is not saying that DEC it will sell 3 million units alone but over a 3 month period.
I SERIOUSLY think this is an insane notion but at least they are keeping the price right at $249-299. That's about the breaking point for most consumers nowadays.
Me? I won't buy one until the modders got it an
Re:More market spin (Score:1)
Re:More market spin (Score:2)
Outperform? (Score:1)
It hasn't moved in years [netscape.com], so they think that the XBox2/NeXT/WTF is its saviour?
Scope of Launch (Score:1, Insightful)
The question is, can PS3 have the same influence as the PS2 did over the Dreamcast? PS2 wasn't even out and at the time and people had already made up their minds on what console to purchase.
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:1)
I'd have to disagree about the developer support. Sony's development kits have been notoriously bad and poorly documented. Microsoft probably has the most experience in development tools, considering they're an industry standard in PC development (game s or otherwise).
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:1)
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Oh, you mean like how the PS2 can render Toy Story in realtime?
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Rumor is .. (Score:1)
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:1)
Whoop-de-fuck.
" fee-based online play"
So they're only going to release fee-based on-line games? Sony isn't going to charge fees for on-line play?
" no hard disk"
"no chipping (for a while)"
Yeah, because millions of people have been chipping the original XBOX. Nobody gives a flying fuck, PS3 won't be any different.
" probably no decent games for the first year,"
If you think Sony isn't immune to this, then
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Said the guy who only replied to one of my many rebuttals.
Heh.
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:5, Insightful)
Are you sure? Microsoft bought VirtualPC for a reason. The new PowerPC chip might have the power to emulate the chip in the current XBox. The change to the new Video chip set maybe a none issue if the game uses directX.
"lukewarm developer support," I do not know about this. Microsoft is pretty good at making developers happy.
"2. Wait a few months and buy a more powerful, cheaper, vastly better-supported Playstation 3."
I actually hope so. I really do hope the Cell is everything they it is. But cheaper? Any proof?
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Yeah, it suspiciously looks like the original Xbox.
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Why emulate it. Do many games for the XBox write down to the hardware? I really doubt it. Most if not all XBox games use DirectX to talk to the hardware. DirectX is DirectX. If it does then odds are very good that vitural PC will run them Not only that Microsoft has copies of all the games. They can tweak VirtualPC to run the limited number of Games that are out for the XBox. Yes limited compared to the number of programs
Re:Scope of Launch (Score:2)
Microsoft is going to do everything it can to help the developers.
Developers. Developers. Developers.
DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS!
if GoldMan Sachs thinks it's remotely possible (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:if GoldMan Sachs thinks it's remotely possible (Score:2)
On the price (Score:1)
Re:On the price (Score:4, Interesting)
Can't wait to stop spending money! (Score:3, Funny)
I need a new console generation if only to stop spending money, so I can get a breather and watch the devs stumble around with the technology for 3 or 4 years. It's just now that they're figuring out that it's not Havoc physics or glowy effects that make a game.
Going to depend on how many they can deliver (Score:4, Insightful)
I Don't Consider Forbes Reliable (Score:3, Informative)
Now, just because I don't think they know anything about video games other than historic sales figures and stocks, that doesn't mean they aren't reliable for business news. They're just a little sloppy in the games department.
Mysterious Controller Speculation (Score:1)
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/06/news_61 2 18 11.html
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/11/n ews_61220 58.html
Based on the supposition that the second batch of pics are real (let's say the blurriness was due to a cell phone cam), I think that there will be a trackball in the middle of the Xbox 2 controllers. Hence the name Xbox 360. You heard i
Re:Mysterious Controller Speculation (Score:1)
Re:Mysterious Controller Speculation (Score:2)
If it has a trackball, they'd better make sure you can remove it and clean it easily. I'd wager console controllers would get gunked up more quickly than at a PC.
Re:Mysterious Controller Speculation (Score:2)
Not a trackball, and the new Dreamcast? (Score:3, Funny)
Trackballs rock! (Score:2)
Years ago, after hurting my wrist/hand playing Magic Carpet II (had been playing it solid for a couple of days) I switched to a trackball.
Since then I've played every computer game, FPS or not with a trackball, and I'd have to say it works great. However, I've got a Logitech Mouseman Marble with the large mouse ball you can actually grab with thumb and opposing fingers, so fine movements are easy.
Why so early? (Score:4, Interesting)
If they do go early, they are trading off just one christmas as the only next-gen console in the shops against 4 years of being the least modern console when the other 2 arrive.
There are only 2 ways this strategy is going to be cost effective:
If they can get a contolling market share over that first holiday season or;
If they have the processor power/locked in developers needed to compete on the quality of games for the next 4 years, or however long this generation lasts, despit the others having more hardweare development time.
Given that Nintendo already tried the second option and pretty much failed to set the world on fire with the Gamecube, and Sega tried the first option with the Dreamcast and got burnt to a crisp, I really don't know what Microsoft are thinking.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Xbox2 strategy was a quick cash-grab before folding the home gaming divison, especially if Sony's cell chips deliver the computing power they are promising in a usable form.
Re:Why so early? (Score:1)
Re:Why so early? (Score:4, Funny)
It would be an interesting experiment at least.
The Alpha and the Omega (Score:1)
Wireless controller? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Wireless controller? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Wireless controller? (Score:2)
I'd like to see a wireless controller that has a "dock" and a rechargeable battery. When you're not playing, just set it in the dock and let it recha
Two words - Blu Ray (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Two words - Blu Ray (Score:1)
Look at Soul Caliber or Shenmue or even Shenmue 2. The DC had some nice looking racing games also.
I do think that having a CD was a huge minus for the DC, but the games on it were spectacular compared to the competition (early on especialy).
Re:Two words - Blu Ray (Score:1)
The only super valid point you have there is over the standalone movie playing, but people with high-end TVs generally don't use the current generation consoles to play movies anyways.
Re:Two words - Blu Ray (Score:2)
The way I see it.... (Score:1)
Shotting Themselves on the Foot (Score:1)
NES:1984-1993
SNES:1991-1998
Genesis:1988-1997
PS1: 1994-2000 (Still has new games made for it)
PS2: 2000-2006* Expected
This is a grave mistake, but I am happy because this will bring the console war only to Sony's and Nintendo's door. Microsoft does not see that with the DS and PSP out, c
Backwards? Who cares.. (Score:4, Insightful)
Developer's kits will win this battle (Score:2, Informative)
Of
Prediction... (Score:2)
You just wait...
Re:Yes, but.. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Yes, but.. (Score:3)
Here is the story. [gamespy.com]
Re:Yes, but.. (Score:1)
Re:The XBox Advantage (Score:1)
Re:The XBox Advantage (Score:2)
Re:The XBox Advantage (Score:1)
Re:The XBox Advantage (Score:2)
You certainly have people exploiting existing glitches in some Xbox Live games (which hopefully are patched, like Bungie is doing with Halo 2 this Monday), but you simply can't get the aimbots, speed hacks, map hacks, etc. you find in even the most popular PC online games. There's no way to implem
Re:I hope... (Score:2)