Microsoft: Sony Has More European Staying Power

But Microsoft will sell more consoles next year.

Posted by Staff
Microsoft's Jeff Bell.
Microsoft's Jeff Bell.
Jeff Bell, head of global marketing for Microsoft's games business has let rip with the plan for next year; Europe is going to be the battle and Sony the main contender.

"Europe for us is still the swing," Bell said. "The biggest challenge is that Sony as a brand has had greater staying power than in other areas. Not just PlayStation 3, but Sony as a brand", said Jeff before coming over all feisty like. Actually before that... what the hell does "...is still the swing" actually mean? Can any of our North American SPOnGregation enlighten us? Does it mean that Asia is the 'roundabout'? Or does it simply mean that Jeff thinks that Europe is the last place to conquer? In which case, a quick look at Japan might be in order.

Geography lessons aside, Jeff's in fighting mood, claiming that, ""We will sell more consoles next year than this year." Excellent news, Jeff. Let's hope that your supply chain organisation can book 360s where your mouth is.

Speaking of Nintendo (joke!) Bell was also keen to business-speak regarding the competition from Minami-ku. When asked if Microsoft had benefited from Ninty's failure to supply, he smarmed as follows, "Sometimes you're good, sometimes you're lucky, and it's wonderful when you're both."

He then proceeded to have a dig at the idea that the only good Wii game is a Nintendo-developed one; that, in fact, third-parties don't want to play, saying, "Clearly, we have a competitor where they win and no one else wins. That is not sustainable, it's never been sustainable."

Sorry, a Microsoft executive is saying that? Surely a piece of Xmas merriment? Your thoughts in the Forum please.

Source: Reuters
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Comments

ajmetz 20 Dec 2007 15:31
1/6
By swing, he means, 360 has conquered north America, has failed in Japan, but in Europe it could still "swing" either way.

Oh, and you might want to correct the 306 typo.
=)


TimSpong 20 Dec 2007 15:44
2/6
ajmetz wrote:
By swing, he means, 360 has conquered north America, has failed in Japan, but in Europe it could still "swing" either way.


Thanks for that - it is clear now.

ajmetz wrote:

Oh, and you might want to correct the 306 typo.
=)


What typo is that then? Eh? Ahem...

Cheers
Tim
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Tony Montana 20 Dec 2007 16:18
3/6
The 360 has no chance outside of the US. In the last few months only 10% of their hardware and software sales have come from outside the US. The PS3 is selling about twice as quickly as the 360 has in Europe and thats with no big exclusives and at a high price. When the price is lower and the big games come it will obviously sell far quicker. What can Microsoft do to compete with that? Nothing. Halo3, Lost Planet, Gears of War & Mass Effect havent worked and they are already having to sell the console far cheaper than the PS3 to compete yet the PS3 is still beating them there.

Average monthly EU sales since launch:
PS3 - 380K
360 - 199K
DoctorDee 20 Dec 2007 17:17
4/6
ajmetz wrote:
h, and you might want to correct the 306 typo.
=)

Typo? I thought we were starting to cover Peugeot hot hatches. I drive a Renault, of course... but cars are cars (and they shine so bright).


Hypnotoad 21 Dec 2007 00:03
5/6
While we're on the topic of typos, can we also bring up grammar?

SPOnG wrote:

Geography lessons aside, Jeff's in fighting mood, claiming that...


In fighting mode maybe? Or perhaps in a fighting mood?

That is all.
ajmetz 21 Dec 2007 13:08
6/6
Guys, guys...you know I love Spong.
Let us forgiveth all typos.
[ and btw - my comment was originally: "By swing, he mains", before I used the 'edit' button to change it to: "By swing, he means"... ]
And Tim - thankyou for finally writing to me. I haven't heard a peep out of you, since queuing for Peter Molyneux at Develop 07.
I'm currently unemployed, and whoring my talents to anyone who'll take 'em.
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