Reality check on Xbox 360

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No, it's much worse than Apple: ---Microsoft doesn't want anything as much as to ramp up manufacturing and get them out the door.---

Really? Funny, it seems they're doing just the opposite:
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/xbox-360-tests-its-brakes-134098.php
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for those of you pumped up for the Xbox 360, but it looks like Microsoft is going to slow production of the newfangled console. In a bid to keep expectations low (and really, what?s better than low expectations?), Microsoft says it will not spike production during the holidays to meet demand as many had expected (or hoped for).

Microsoft?s Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said there wouldn?t be a big initial spike and promised that the software giant would be able to ship between 4.5 and 5.5 million Xbox 360 consoles by the end of the business year to June 2006.

For the actual launch on November 22, expect between 1.5 million and 2 million consoles on the market. Those will get snapped up by pre-orders, so you may as well set your eBay search bot right now. Or you could just wait: It looks like Xbox 360 games aren?t due in large capacities until at least the second quarter of 2006 anyhow.

And then there's the deals with retailers:
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/xbox-360-retail-bully-134320.php

Gizmodo?s new Norwegian correspondent SilverSnake sends shocking?shocking!?news about Microsoft?s Xbox 360 retail marketing demands. Retailers in the land of King Herald V are each being alloted a supply of 20 consoles, 6 core editions and 14 premium versions. But there is a catch: In order to get all of them, each shop or chain has to sign an agreement saying that they will sell out of all 20 consoles on the release date (which is December 2 over there). On top of that, the retailers must agree to sell a minimum of 2 games per console.

?Microsoft Norway even said them selves that they?re gonna use the ?Sold Out? as a marketing strategy to hype the console.?

At least Apple's failure to meet demand is due to fear of overproduction and poor planning. MS' seems to be part of a cynical marketing strategy aimed at hyping their product.; Posted by: tic swayback Posted on: 11/29/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use