More reports, this time from US retailers, have been cropping up that talk of chronic shortages of Xbox 360 hardware during its launch period, slated for late November through early December 2005. GameStop and EB Games have reportedly warned that they may not be able to meet demand for the console sets on the run up to the machine's first holiday season on sale. Reportedly.
With production of the original Xbox believed to have ceased completely, Microsoft has stated that pre-production (component assembly and such) is ramping up for 360, though is yet to offer specifics on production run yields and estimated day one supplies. However, reports from Taiwan confirm that manufacturers are readying for full production next month. Although key US retail chains will undoutedly have received ballpark allocation figures, SPOnG believes it unlikely that either of the mentioned retailers will be openly discussing its expected, stock-driven perfomance on any product line, let alone a new hardware platform and its bountiful software and peripheral attach rates.
So where are these stories coming from? The latest seemingly stems from an ailing UK magazine cum gossip mongering website, which offers no source for its report. It does carry Microsoft's stock response when asked about the reports, which reads, "Excitement for Xbox 360 is running high and we're working with our manufacturing partners to ensure we meet worldwide demand for Xbox 360 this Christmas."
SPOnG also suspects that these latest reports may well be fallout from comments made by Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, who told industry paper MCV, "I don't think we're going to meet demand as people are going to come into this platform in a big way..."
And of course, perhaps Microsoft is planning to 'Do a Sony', spinning diminished hardware supplies and disapointed consumers into a lifestyle product launch frenzy of queuing and mainstream headlines.
However the launch unfolds, it should be very interesting to watch.
With production of the original Xbox believed to have ceased completely, Microsoft has stated that pre-production (component assembly and such) is ramping up for 360, though is yet to offer specifics on production run yields and estimated day one supplies. However, reports from Taiwan confirm that manufacturers are readying for full production next month. Although key US retail chains will undoutedly have received ballpark allocation figures, SPOnG believes it unlikely that either of the mentioned retailers will be openly discussing its expected, stock-driven perfomance on any product line, let alone a new hardware platform and its bountiful software and peripheral attach rates.
So where are these stories coming from? The latest seemingly stems from an ailing UK magazine cum gossip mongering website, which offers no source for its report. It does carry Microsoft's stock response when asked about the reports, which reads, "Excitement for Xbox 360 is running high and we're working with our manufacturing partners to ensure we meet worldwide demand for Xbox 360 this Christmas."
SPOnG also suspects that these latest reports may well be fallout from comments made by Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, who told industry paper MCV, "I don't think we're going to meet demand as people are going to come into this platform in a big way..."
And of course, perhaps Microsoft is planning to 'Do a Sony', spinning diminished hardware supplies and disapointed consumers into a lifestyle product launch frenzy of queuing and mainstream headlines.
However the launch unfolds, it should be very interesting to watch.
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Comments
jessestylex 11 Jul 2005 15:17
1/5
I know about 13 people who has pre ordered it.
mostly cause they wanna play the new next gen Madden as soon as possible.
mostly cause they wanna play the new next gen Madden as soon as possible.
giddieon 11 Jul 2005 20:39
2/5
Sounds like an easy way to get people excited about the 360 to me... Microsoft must be loving it... forums a blazed with the 360 being so hot that they don't have enough....
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fluffstardx 12 Jul 2005 09:44
3/5
Most people I know who actually know anything about computer games raised their chances of owning one when they heard the "PS3 £400 and next year" announcement. Most of them own the original box, so it seems only sensible to get one and wait to see if PS3 is worth spending any money on at all. Sony have really screwed this one up, and it's up to MS and Ninty to capitalise. Heck, that may be why Revolution is suddenly supposed to be in March...
fluffstardx 12 Jul 2005 09:44
4/5
Most people I know who actually know anything about computer games raised their chances of owning one when they heard the "PS3 £400 and next year" announcement. Most of them own the original box, so it seems only sensible to get one and wait to see if PS3 is worth spending any money on at all. Sony have really screwed this one up, and it's up to MS and Ninty to capitalise. Heck, that may be why Revolution is suddenly supposed to be in March...
Joji 12 Jul 2005 16:20
5/5
More like somebody call the Spin Doctors to sing Princes for MS, Sony and Nintendo.
Obviously the mainstream yanks will go crazy for their sport games to demo NFL graphic standard, a good move by EA.
PS3 has nice flashy movies too. I'm more interested in what Nintendo have instore for us because we saw no real footage of Rev games, another good reason to look forward to Xmas is to see what they have planned for us and the Rev.
Obviously the mainstream yanks will go crazy for their sport games to demo NFL graphic standard, a good move by EA.
PS3 has nice flashy movies too. I'm more interested in what Nintendo have instore for us because we saw no real footage of Rev games, another good reason to look forward to Xmas is to see what they have planned for us and the Rev.