Likely Xbox 360 Shortages Confirmed by Microsoft

[fitbabits]

Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) has the scoop (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1459&Itemid=2) on what has long been rumored - there will be a shortage of Xbox 360s at launch.

"Chris Liddell, Microsoft’s Chief Financial Officer, told a meeting of games industry analysts yesterday that Microsoft planned to move 4.5 to 5.5 million Xbox 360 consoles around the world by the middle of next year. But the steady roll-out of stock means that Microsoft expects to be unable to meet early demand for the Xbox 360 when it launch on November 22 in North America, December 2 in Europe, and December 10 in Japan.

Liddell explained that Microsoft has decided not to flood stores with consoles at launch, but rather depend on a strategy of steadily resupplying shops at regular intervals.

That should mean there’s no delayed stock shortage in the early months of 2006, but may prevent many gamers wanting to pick up the next-gen machine before Christmas from getting their hands on one.

"Whereas others have shipped significant volumes [of consoles] for launch and then resupplied many weeks or months later,” said Liddell, as reported in the Seattle Post Intelligencer, “our process is to continually supply the channel on a regular basis.”
A risky strategy, I think. I'm just happy that I've already pre-paid mine.

[Heretic Machine]

Er, I'd just like to point out that this article seems to suggest that there will be enough for the Christmas season, just not right at launch. It says that there will be a shortage at launch because they will be giving multiple shipments.

[BigJonno]

This is where the true evil of the whole two system thing kicks in. Most of the retailers round here still don't know how many 360's they're getting, but will be quite happy to guarantee you a core system. :mad:

[Mrbunchypants]

Sounds like the PS2 launch all over again........ Still going to be nice for those over seas to get an xbox on launch day.

[CrysDark]

Eh, there are 6 Wal-Marts in my city one of them is bound to have one in stock. I still can't decide if I am going to wait the 3-6 months for the PS3 to come out so they drop the price, most launch games are crap anyways.

[fitbabits]

Er, I'd just like to point out that this article seems to suggest that there will be enough for the Christmas season, just not right at launch. It says that there will be a shortage at launch because they will be giving multiple shipments.
Nice catch, Perigon. I removed the sentence from Next Generation as it seemd to contradict the official quote.

[Morratut]

NOOOOoooooooo!!!!!!!!! /camera zooms out

Glad i preordered mine summer :)

[fitbabits]

Eh, there are 6 Wal-Marts in my city one of them is bound to have one in stock. I still can't decide if I am going to wait the 3-6 months for the PS3 to come out so they drop the price, most launch games are crap anyways.
Perhaps, but I'm willing to bet it will be the Core version, and not the 'premium' one.

[Heretic Machine]

I still can't decide if I am going to wait the 3-6 months for the PS3 to come out so they drop the price, most launch games are crap anyways.

Eh... you won't be getting the PS3 in 3-6 months unless you plan on importing the Japanese version. And then only maybe. look for it around this time next year.

[crashedout]

Doesn't this smell like a marketing ploy to get you to run out and buy one the second you find it? Wouldn't that a) increase word-of-mouth and b) ensure a sell-out so that MS can say they had a great launch?

I am still on the fence on whether to buy at launch or not, I think I will wait and see if there are any in the area for the final choice.

[fitbabits]

Doesn't this smell like a marketing ploy to get you to run out and buy one the second you find it? Wouldn't that a) increase word-of-mouth and b) ensure sell-outsso that MS can say they had a great launch?

I am still on the fence on whether to buy at launch or not, I think I will wait and see if there are any in the area for the final choice.
If by 'marketing ploy, you mean launch strategy then yes.
Liddell explained that Microsoft has decided not to flood stores with consoles at launch, but rather depend on a strategy of steadily resupplying shops at regular intervals.
Not quite as sneaky or underhanded as Sony's PS2 launch.

[Conner Dain]

I just love the people who think pre-ordering a 360 is a dead-solid lock. I have a feeling you are in for a nasty surprise.

[zorper]

Eh... you won't be getting the PS3 in 3-6 months unless you plan on importing the Japanese version. And then only maybe. look for it around this time next year.

So when are we going to get to see a PS3 anyway, anywhere? I told myself that I would wait on a 360 until I at least saw the competition.

[kokyunage]

Don't really care. Won't be picking it up anytime this year anyway.

[Heretic Machine]

So when are we going to get to see a PS3 anyway, anywhere? I told myself that I would wait on a 360 until I at least saw the competition.

My guess is that it will launch in Japan somewhere around July-August, and we'll see it in the US in November. That's just an educated guess, mind you.

[fitbabits]

Don't really care. Won't be picking it up anytime this year anyway.
Thanks for letting us know you don't really care...

[Wonka]

Shortages? Of course there will be shortages. There are always shortages with the launch of a new console. And this time they are launching (read: spreading their already sparse product) across 3 continents at once. By my estimate that means there will be about 67% less product than the usual shortage...

What is interesting to me is how can anyone be surprised by this? Hell I preorded mine in May. That's when I realized that I would probably a) get one right away, or b) get one 6 months later. I am WAY too impatient for "b".

[Goronmon]

I'll be waiting for impressions on the launch games before I go nuts and spend $500 of my own money. If that means waiting until January/February so be it, I'll have plenty of good games to play until then.

I guess I am just sick of pre-ordering crap, it just doesn't make sense when you think about it.

[pdeupree]

What I'll be interested in is seeing how the shortages balance out, if they happen. With the core system versus the full system, which will really be the more popular one? It seems like the hard core gamers figure the full system will be the one to sell out first. However, factoring in the market that doesn't know the difference, and factoring in the fact that it appears the core system can be upgraded (I assume this since, looking at the web page for it, the hard drive is listed as optional, and that's the only real built in hardware difference between the two) what will happen? I'm almost expecting the core system to be the one that is harder to find since it's cheaper, and most of the extras in there are things the average consumer doesn't care as much about (e.g. HD cables, and the !Live stuff). They probably won't know what to make of the hard drive difference.

So, next month will be interesting. Personally, I have not pre-ordered one since I really hate how the two places that do pre-orders require you to buy a package that includes junk I don't want. So, if I find one on launch day, cool. If not, it's not like I don't have stacks of other games to finish on my current systems.

[Heretic Machine]

I'll be waiting for impressions on the launch games before I go nuts and spend $500 of my own money. If that means waiting until January/February so be it, I'll have plenty of good games to play until then.


If I weren't getting one for free from Mountain Dew then I certainly wouldn't buy one, at least not this close to launch. Especially if you think that release list is legit, even if it's not there are only like three games I can think of off-hand that I'm interested in for the 360.

Kameo
Saint's Row
Gears of War

I'd recommend waiting on the 360 unless there is something at launch that you really want (I guess if you were a huge Perfect Dark fan).

[fitbabits]

I'd recommend waiting on the 360 unless there is something at launch that you really want (I guess if you were a huge Perfect Dark fan).
Never underestimate the power of Madden to shift a new console. I won't be buying it, but I'll bet it's one of (if not the) best sellers at launch.

[Heretic Machine]

Never underestimate the power of Madden to shift a new console. I won't be buying it, but I'll bet it's one of (if not the) best sellers at launch.

Never said it wouldn't sell. I'm just recommending that people stay away from it until it's got some better games on it, and has a better price tag.

[Dracula-X]

I had planned to wait things out till perhaps the PS3 arrived, for a possible price drop on the 360. I'm considering picking one up sooner if the titles get more interesting before then, as it stands now they aren't terribly appealing.

[agentgray]

Never said it wouldn't sell. I'm just recommending that people stay away from it until it's got some better games on it, and has a better price tag.
Heck no. I want people to buy as much as they can, two or three even. That way it will get cheaper quicker for us late adopters.

BTW, I'm sick of Pepsi. :)

[CrysDark]

BTW, I'm sick of Pepsi. :)


????

When is Mistwalkers first game due to release? I think I might pick one up then.

[EternalGamer]

Thanks for letting us know you don't really care...


Maybe he is one of those people who take the time calls in for polls just to say that they are undecided about the question.

Dan

[fitbabits]

Maybe he is one of those people who take the time calls in for polls just to say that they are undecided about the question.

Dan
I think you may be on to something there. :)

[51|RandoM]

I don't intend to get one at release---no release titles interest me, at this point---but if I did, I wouldn't have trouble finding one here. There will be a stack of them at one of the compusa's, best buy, or virgin mega, always is. Is kind of funny to look at all the sad people in line at gamestop and then just walk over to circuit city and get what they want before they do, without any hassle or preorder bs.

[TrackZero]

Don't really care. Won't be picking it up anytime this year anyway.

Ditto. I'm hype about the system, but after being burned dozens of times for playing the early adopter, I'm waiting until the spring before I consider picking one up.

[Major Scud]

my gamestop says they may not get any on launch day despite their number of pre-orders. They expect them within the "launch week". Looks like I'll be cancelling my pre-order and camping outside a bestbuy or something...

[EternalGamer]

[QUOTE=51| Is kind of funny to look at all the sad people in line at gamestop and then just walk over to circuit city and get what they want before they do, without any hassle or preorder bs.[/QUOTE]

As one of the sad people waiting in line at Gamestop, let me say that if one of those other stores allowed me to trade in used games (including cheap $2 Circuit City clearance games for $8-$10), I would probably be buying there. But since I got $300 of my 360 paid for with Trade in credit, Gamestop gets my business.

Dan

[51|RandoM]

I hate you guys whenever I go to gamestop. All I want to do is buy a damn game, yet I gotta wait in line for a half hour while you trade in 5 crappy games for $10 off your Sims expansion.

They should have an express line for people who know wtf they want, and are going to pay for it cash or charge.

Wish my building had a doorman, I'd order everything online.

[EternalGamer]

It sounds like your gamestop needs to hire more employees. I don't tend to dawdle when I go into gamestores, mainly becaise the salesguys are creepy fake.

For the record, I have never bought any version of the Sims in my life and when I trade in the crappy games, I usually just toss a couple of them in along with one of the bigger titles to make the minimum trade-in limit when they do one of those extra $10 a game/40% for three or more deals. Tossing a $2 copy of I-Ninja and La Pucelle Tactics in with God of War, means I actually get a decent price for all three rather than getting the usual three bucks and an old gym sock.

Dan