http://zdnet.com.com/2110-1106-884590.html Apr 17, 2002 5:00 AM PT Game maker presses for Xbox price cuts In the latest sign that sales of Microsoft Xbox video game console could be flagging, the chief executive of game publisher THQ on Tuesday urged price cuts for the console, in Europe if not elsewhere, to spur sales of the machine. It was the first such public call for discounting from a key partner and came on the heels of warnings from financial analysts who have pointed to slowing production of the 5-month-old console as a sign that sales could be losing momentum. On a conference call to discuss THQ's quarterly results, THQ Chief Executive Brian Farrell said the Xbox was struggling in Japan and continental Europe, because of content and pricing issues, and urged Microsoft to implement a price cut in Europe "sooner rather than later." --Reuters
Does X-box have anything besides Halo that is worth buying?!?! I am glad I actually didnt pay for one. I just jacked one from my friend.
Dude you need to "jack" me some season tickets! Besides HALO, the #1 game of the year. Madden 2002, NHL2002, NBA2K2, and 007 Agent Under Fire are pretty good games.
That's the reason I didn't buy one. HALO was the only thing worth it. Those others....Madden, NHL, Bond...well, EA loves to go multi-platform. You can get them all somewhere else. I was thinking that the X-BOX would do okay, once some more good games came out. I figured I'd buy one somewhere down the line...but maybe not?
Microsoft has put some serious cash into this system. Don't expect them to pull out. They knew it would be tough in Asia where Sony and Nintendo owned the market. With the cash reserves that Microsoft has (over 35 billion) they will be able to fight their way into the market. They may do this by slashing the console prices even further. I really enjoy the XBOX and the online gaming due out this Summer is gonna be cool. When they start pumping out the games it will rival PS2 and Gamecube. It hasn't even been out 6 months, give them a little time.
I have an Xbox too, and I want them to succeed, but MS has royally screwed up on this one. First, they market it for adult gamers, and build the controllers too large for 12 year old boys....this is just stupid...cutting out 20-40% of your market at the start is bad business. Second, they priced it way too high...they should have watched what happened to 3DO. Third, they released with too little content, and still don't have a decent soccer game out, and soccer games are the most popular games on the planet. Now, all this being said, MS never gets it right at first, when I worked for them we had a saying. "Microsoft, where quality is job 1.1" In other words, they will get it right eventually, but they have to cut the price now in order to get Euope on board, Asia will be a wash for them until they get some Asia style content for their console. X-Box is not a disaster, but it could be if they don't move fast enough. DaDakota
Well that's what I figured from the beginning. I just don't understand why one of their own partners (and a relatively veteran publisher like THQ) is getting worried so soon. MS has put a lot of money into the system...but they arent' afraid to dump something that isn't profitable, or rehash it in some weird way. Gamers are a fickle - and sometimes fiercely loyal group. They will have a hard time overseas, so they have to get something pretty spectacular going. And online gaming by itself won't be it....heck, most gamers who take the time to really get into systems can probably find a way to play games online already.
I have posted two or three different times that you can play several XBOX games (HALO) online already. It's pretty cool but slow. The first link may be down right now, but the second describes it. http://www.gamespyarcade.com/support/tunnel_xbox.shtml http://www.techextreme.com/perl/story/15147.html XBOX Rules! XBOX Rules! XBOX Rules! (I am driving off the cliff as we speek)
I know you can play some xbox games online. I was referring to the thing you said about 'online stuff coming this summer'. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that. In any case, I don't see any reason the xbox is incapable of making it in the video game market. But just speaking from a personal perspective, one game as your big draw so far isn't going to get it done.
