Analysts: October strong, despite higher expectations

Industry watchers unfazed by less-than-expected revenues for the month leading into holiday sales rush.

Earlier this week, industry analysts preemptively awarded the October software sales crown to Activision, thanks in no small part to its rhythm-rocking franchise Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. That insight proved to be lucent, as evidenced by industry-tracking group NPD's October sales figures, which it released yesterday. However, while Activision's revenues were up 414 percent compared to the same time last year, the industry on the whole performed well below their expectations.

Today, several analysts weighed in on the discrepancy. Analysts agreed across the board that one of the primary contributing factors to October not living up to their expectations was the significant drop in software sales for the PlayStation 2, which were down 29 percent year over year. However, Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson sees a logical explanation behind this drop. "This month, NPD did not receive data from Toys R Us for the first time," he noted. "It appears that mass-market titles on the Wii, DS, and PS2 are underrepresented in the data."

Wilson reiterated that despite growth being less than expected, software sales still shot up 39 percent. He also called attention to last year's lackluster October sales in comparison to how the rest of the year played out. "October 2006 NPD data showed 1 percent growth after 14 percent to 28 percent growth in the previous four months," he said. "Publishers later had solid holiday seasons."

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter believes another contributing factor to lower-than-expected software sales was a preponderance of bundled games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable. "In the aggregate, these bundles represented over 600,000 units of games that were purchased by consumers and which were not counted in the NPD software numbers for the month because the software was included 'inside the box' as part of the bundle," he said.

However, prediction market the simExchange also noted that sales were lower simply because some titles did not perform to expectations. In particular, Insomniac Games' high-profile PS3-exclusive title Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, which released October 23, hasn't thus far lived up to sales expectations.

"Ratchet & Clank Future sold only 74,500 units in October, well below an already low market expectation of 129,000 units," said simExchange analyst Jesse Divnich. In comparison, Insomniac's PS3 launch title Resistance: Fall of Man sold nearly 71,000 last November, with lifetime-to-date sales at nearly 700,000, according to NPD.

Divnich believes that continued lackluster performances from PS3-exclusive titles are having a negative impact on hardware sales for the Japanese giant. As such, Divnich believes a lot is riding on Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. "Sony does have one last chance to prove itself in 2007 with its first-party titles with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which the prediction market expects 286,000 units sold in December." Uncharted officially ships out November 19, though some retailers appear to already be stocking the anticipated action adventure.

Pachter, on the other hand, believes that PS3 sales, while "still tracking below our expectations," are in for a strong holiday season riding the recent price drop of the 80GB SKU to $499 and the introduction of the $399 40GB model.

However, Pachter did raise an eyebrow at Sony CEO Howard Stringer's recent ballyhoo over the PS3's uptick in sales. "We are somewhat perplexed by Sony's recent announcement that sales accelerated to 75,000 to 100,000 per week after the price cuts (announced October 18) as it appears that sales increased by a smaller amount," said Pachter. Speaking to financial news service Bloomberg, a Sony representative clarified Stringer's statement, saying the 100,000 figure included PS2 and PS3 sales.

Addressing the Wii's reemergence atop the console leaderboard, Pachter sees October's hardware figures as affirmation that Nintendo has ramped up production of its hot-commodity console. "From January through June, Wii supply averaged 78,000 units per week, and from July through September, the supply increased to 102,000 units per week," he said. "It appears that Nintendo has managed both its production capacity and the allocation of units to the U.S. market so as to allow for a regular increase, and we expect further increases over the next two months."

86 Comments

  • XanderZane

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 6:14 pm PT

    How come R&C hasn't sold over 1 million copies yet. I thought that was Sony's hit title of the year. The game is great, yet it bombed in sales. What's up with that? Assassin's Creed, CoD4 and Super Mario Galaxy all selling like crazy. This is awesome.

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 2:36 pm PT

    @mooseman721
    The problem is, those games are coming out near the PS3's SECOND year anniversary. The proper comparison to the state of the 360s library at the release of GeOW relative to the PS3 is TODAY at PS3's ONE YEAR anniversary. What has been released for PS3 that compares favorably to GeOW at this point?

  • mooseman721

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 11:33 am PT

    It took over a year for Gears of war to come out I believe. That is the 360's stand out game. I think you have to see what comes out this coming year to truly start to make comparisons between system capabilities. Killzone2, God of War3 and Metal Gear4 will show what it can do (and Home). Until then it's all irrelevant!

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 8:59 am PT

    "ps Ratchet and clank is a schweet game GS is far to harsh"

    From most reports, its actually a pretty good game. PS3 owners are the ones giving it harsh treatment...fewer than 150k copies sold for a console that has a 5million install base. PS3 owners are not even buying good games for the PS3, let alone, the lower echelon ones. Beyond all issues of Sony mis-steps and arguments about hardware capabilities and software dev difficulties, the overshadowing issue is that PS3 games are not selling nearly what they should in an install base that is nearly equal to that of the 360 in its first year. The 360 version of Dirt sold over 500k copies in one week, while Resistance has barely broken 700k copies in one year. If fans of the PS3 and Sony really want to show their support and make a statement to third party devs...They need to buy games!

  • slim2202

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 7:45 am PT

    okassar raises a gd point that the wii will blow over soon enough but the fact is a believe xbox will fall behind aswell with the fact that its tech with not keep up to par. I assume uve heard of supreme commander comin out for xbox360 and u can clearly see that it will a dulld dwn version as it cnt handle the requirements for the game
    ps Ratchet and clank is a schweet game GS is far to harsh

  • xe-cute

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:08 pm PT

    SEGA DREAMCAST 4TW :p

  • stfolife

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 5:11 pm PT

    oh and one more thing you guys can argue which one is better all you want but does that really matter? what matters is which one is selling more

  • stfolife

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 5:05 pm PT

    the problem is they're giving us the same old dried out franchises then the games that everybody wants take to long to be released by the time mgs4 is out I wont even want it and i'm sure abput 10% of the other people wanting mgs4 wont either

  • Haku_Ryushi

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 3:37 pm PT

    @Homerj

    Please give me the source to how sony forced IGN to revise the review. But for now, i disagree.

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:57 pm PT

    @okassar
    Based on reviews, R&C was supposed to be a fairly good platformer. PS3 owners apparently highly disagree, as it has sold fewer than 150k copies. For some reason, PS3 titles are heavily hyped but few copies are ever sold.

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:54 pm PT

    @ElZilcho

    That is the key issue. The PS3 was billed by Sony as being a vastly superior hardware solution in this gen. To date, there has been only one multiplat release that has has EQUAL quality between the PS3 and 360 version, COD4. There has been one multiplat release that has had better visual quality, Oblivion (improved textures from the 360 version, which was a slightly delayed launch title and not at all resource demanding). All other multilplat releases (barring any minor releases that nobody's heard of) have been slightly to significantly lesser on the PS3. Where are the games that look vastly better than anything on 360? SFB's always scream about "lazy devs", but fail to consider the fact that Sony sold them a bill of goods that wasnt exactly truthful about the PS3's true capabilities.

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:44 pm PT

    IGN's review was drastically lower than any other review site for one simple reason. Sony forced IGN to revise the review (and later was forced to re-post the original review since they got caught) because the reviewer was particularly angry at frame-rate slowdowns and stutters on the PS3 version. The official forums for AC are alight with howls of frustration from PS3 owners over frame-rate stutters and frequent lock-ups. My assessments of the relative quality of AC on PS3 are based on these factors. If you disagree with these assessments, then you should lodge complaints to IGN and the PS3 posters on the official AC forums, as they are the source.

  • okassar

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    Lol,Ratchet and Clank is another one of the jokes that Sony fanboys used to show off and then just left when it was ridiculed.PS3 though, is the opposite of done and the Wii has the opposite of a "better future",while,I think, the Xbox 360 should rise to the top of both.The PS3 has amazing potential with its Blu-Ray(...better resolution,much more disk space).But the reason it is so bad right now is because it is hard for developers to make games for it because Sony sucks as to make hard developer's kits.Sony is too lazy to fix that, but, it slowly is.The first step already happened:it made its kits cheaper...yep,it's going to take them a long time to fix that and their sub-par internet service so that valuable games can be made for it and be appreciate.Problem?:if it really does take a long time for Sony to get good games and online,by then, the 360 would have way surpassed it.The Wii on the other hand...is a fad and will not last that long.

  • ElZilcho

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 2:15 pm PT

    all this talk about wich one's better, how tiresome, but answer me this, if the ps3 is so awesome then how come there are no games that look significantly better than anything that there's on the 360? nothing out there looks like it cant or hasnt been done on the 360, and sure you're gonna point out that i should wait for the big titles to come out so that we can clearly see the difference, you know what ? no! many developers have had time to pour enough time and resources into making state of the art graphics in the their ps3 games to make 360 games look like ass and it hasnt happened so as far as i'm concerned they're even and its gonna stay that way until someone actually does something about it if there's something that can be done and even still 360 games have the potential to look even better than what we've seen yet and it'll be that much more difficult to decide wich one's better, so much arguing about wich one's better, at this point you all should have realized graphics arent gonna get that much better than whats out there anyway, regardless of how much more powerful your system is compared to the other one, grow up everyone its time we put this one to rest once and for all, it'll never be resolved lets face it we should all just agree to disagree and leave it like that and move on sheesh!

  • Haku_Ryushi

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 1:31 pm PT

    @Homerj- Let me make a correction to your comment. The PS3 version actually had a smoother framerate than the 360 version but less contrast. there was also absolutely no fact that the textures were inferior to the 360. The PS3 actually handled this game pretty well according to the review. Go reread the review of assassin's creed then come back and fix your mistakes. Also since Blu-ray hasnt been out for a long time there is still no telling whether or not your "analysis" is true. believe it or not the PS3 games are slowly starting to surpass the 360 games with more disk space and graphical qualities. Go do some more research buddy, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

    My Advice: stop giving false info

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 12:14 pm PT

    As an example, Blu ray did nothing for the PS3 version of Assassins Creed. The PS3 version has well publicised frame-rate slow downs and stutters, and a lowered contrast that makes the textures and lighting look inferior to the 360 version. AC was originally developed for the PS3, the 360 version was only added about a year ago (at the final third of the dev cycle). AC, in terms of level size, AI complexity, animation density (ie number of individual characters on screen at one time) and visual fidelity is to date the most advanced piece of software yet released. If the PS3 cannot adequately handle this game, I really doubt that blu ray is going to propel it to the dominant gaming console. Adding textures, pre-rendered cut sceens, and world size to games does nothing when they cant run even at 30fps and they have last gen graphical quality.

  • bcolter

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:57 am PT

    @lemonand... This might be true... but there are a few hitches with the Bluray dominance theory...

    1. Dev Costs - Pretty costly to fill a BD disk, so studios need to invest much more if they plan on using the BD to it's limit. I imagine there will be some "Resistance" from publishers, as the sales numbers are still low.

    2. Compression: If you watch the developer diary from Lionhead (Fable), you will hear a lead programmer mention up to "99% compression of textures"... A small comment thrown out as an aside, but pretty significant from a storage stand point.

    3. Consumer Cost: how much would you like to pay for a game, and how long would you like them to be? There is a limit to the duration of a game for the majority of gamers, as of late many gamers have been praising the shorter titles.

    So... Is Bluray really the future of gaming? Or is space on a disk filled with garbage most of us really don't really give a damn about. Also, don't forget digital distribution.

    Cheers

  • lemonand

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:30 am PT

    lets face it most games comeout on both platforms so when developers push past the limits of dvd Blu-ray will lead the ps3 into the lead.
    Its a simple equation microsoft will eaither have to make a new console of get left behind seems to me that 360 cheapskates will have to "buy cheap buy twice" within the near future. Just somthin a bit stupid to say now. imagine one console created by microsoft and sony. all the big titles could be played by everyone. That would be good.

  • lemonand

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 11:22 am PT

    Hi everyone, thanks for comments about my post!!
    However i would like to know what "problems" the ps3 has. dont talk about sales or anything like that. i mean problems with the console or games. compared to the many problems the 360 has faced id like to see you point any major ones out.

  • Homerj

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 8:41 am PT

    "I dont understand why all you people have xbox 360's"

    Ummm...because of the GAMES:
    Exclusives: GeOW, Bioshock, Forza2, PGR4, ME (releasing in mere days), AC6, Eternal Sonata, Viva Pinata
    Timed Exclusives: Oblivion, Dirt, Orange Box
    Multiplat (with superior 360 versions): AC, Madden 08, Stranglehold
    Multiplat (with EQUAL quality 360 and PS3 versions): COD4

    Meanwhile, PS3 has as its only worthwhile titles:
    Resistance, selling less than 700k copies
    R&C, selling less than 150k copies
    Heavenly Sword, selling less than 300k copies
    Warhawk (aka Shadowrun with planes), selling less than 400k copies
    and the yet to be released Drakes Fortune (aka tomb raider, testosterone edition)
    For context, the 360 version of Dirt (which was a great game, but hardly a AAA title) sold more in its first week of release than Resistance has sold in the one year since release.

  • ElZilcho

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 7:58 am PT

    Anthony71B "Gimme a break...right over your head. I'm not arguing with an obvious Xbot, when I know I'm right."

    Is there a template for posts by PS fanboys?
    1) Overhype Sony 1st party games (extra points if you bash HALO)
    2) Use the term RROD and pump up 360 failure rate
    3) Refer to anyone who disagrees as an Xbot
    4) Refute NPD numbers with hypothetical figures from VGcharts
    5) Complain about the cost of XBL gold memeberships (-5$/mo)
    6) Insult 3rd party developers for not having skills to program the games YOU want for the PS3
    7 ) Call the Wii a Fad
    8 ) Claim that Sony will soon over take the 360 with this months price drop regardless of the sales figures
    9) Insist the ever growing library of upcoming games for the 360 doesn't exist and its all over now that H3 is out even though that game sucks.
    10) Claim blu ray is needed for good games and talk about how its winning the format war no one cares about.

    LOL oh my, i just showed this to my brother and we're just cracking up over it, everything you said was on the money guy, you couldnt be any righter, i like number one through six especially, ps3 fanboys in their eyes the 360 is old and busted and riddled with problems yet they fail to see how their precious ps3s are also a little bit of a mess dont worry i wont go into detail on ps3s problems though i probably should but they're widely known anyway so its ok, but dont tell them that because they dont wanna hear anything "xbots" have to say all they wanna hear is that things are on the up and up, what hypocrites, i'm an xbox fan and i admit there are problems with the 360 i'd be a fool not to, should i call you a deluded idiot ps3 fanboy for saying something like that? no, thats childish, i just take things with a grain of salt and move on with my life, perhaps you should learn from me, i used to bash on sony like it owed me money then i found out i actually liked playing games on it even if i didnt like the sony brand, it was sad and i'm ashamed i was like that but i learned i could enjoy both systems purely for the games, i havent been a happier guy since, my two cents, i hope the message gets through thanks.

  • l337fool

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 3:28 pm PT

    lemonand "I dont understand why all you people have xbox 360's. I admit that halo was a good game. What other special games is there for xbox 360."

    I don't even like Halo that much its sad that some of you think thats the only game on the system. Ok here's a hint. Go out buy a 360 get a gold memebership pick up a copy of chromehounds and maybe grab texas holdem or puzzle quest from the arcade. Once you get online with any of these games you will understand why people love the 360.

  • AngelsongCA

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 2:36 pm PT

    @ajrman1

    Public perception focuses on the games and sales first, and everything else second.

    Considering that regardless of there being a problem in the past with manufacturing the console(Which was publicized also), the systems continued to sell at the same rate or higher, and the fact that the XBOX 360 units are presently selling at an incredible rate, speaks VOLUMES for the XBOX 360's great appeal and strength in the market among consumers.

    It's pointless worrying about your system breaking down(Which has a relatively low chance of happening, even less so with the newer systems) when you know you can always get it repaired or replaced free. As long as the games are there which gamers love to play, then it's always going to out weigh those problems. The same as the PS2's problems were out weighed by great games(And, the console wasn't even replaced for free, nor did people who had their's fixed get cash refunds). Legal action had to be taken against Sony to get anything back

    And, sorry. This is the internet, practically everything people say without some kind of proof is taken with a grain of salt. So no I can't believe you.

  • ajarman1

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 12:52 pm PT

    AngelsongCA - I guess one reason I've never (and this will hopefully be my last) posted on these things, is I don't understand the die-hard camps that seem to exist. I'm a video game "fan-boy" - not specific to Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, etc. Whatever have the games that I'd enjoy, that's where I put my money.

    My comments about the console breaking down is more to do with public perception when others plunk money down, and unless it truly is solved, may weigh in Sony/Nintendo's favour at some point. I do beleive that since Microsoft made their $1.2 billion promise, they truly have solved the issue of the RROD - and the customer service was fantastic, no doubt. In fact, because it was my fourth unit, I had a specific analyst who I could call directly for support...I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

    But, despite the games being great, the fact that I am on my fourth unit - regardless as to who's paying for it - has left me wondering when it'll go again. All I'm saying, is I can't be the only one. The four friends I mentioned did have theirs only breakdown the once.

    As for proof - well, of course I have the four service numbers and serial numbers from the units, but for obvious reasons, I wouldn't post that here....believe it if you want.

  • lmkj

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 12:22 pm PT

    any1 kno the actual release date for the wii?

  • Justforfun44

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 12:13 pm PT

    Lemonland poor fellow. "A fool and his money are soon parted". The Xbox 360 is the dominate HD gaming console on the planet. It outsells the PS3 by a large margin. Blu-Ray won't change that. Surely you realize your superior PS3 will be dead last this generation. Xbox 360 won't go HD DVD because it is focused on gaming. Microsoft is too smart to try and get all Xbox 360 users to upgrade to HD DVD now. A high price point and poor game development will doom PS3. Xbox 360 has all the best titles this year. If you want to play a great game and it isn't a Nintendo game then that game will probably be on Xbox 360. I don't think anyone who pays $399 for a game console could be called a cheapskate.

  • omrikk87

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 11:14 am PT

    well november sales will be much bigger , this was supposed to be the "biggest november in gaming history" but delays, mediocore games only , ME ,COD4 ,AC is more then enough to bring the X360 (ME) and Ps3 and X360 (AC,Cod4) superb sales this month...

  • erik_wolff

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 10:53 am PT

    Wow, I don't think I've ever heard a more asinine statement lemonand. Hell, simply put, there is not one single game on the ps3 that makes me want to have a PS3, I don't care how much power it has. Call me a fanboy or cheap all you want, but I'll take my 360 every day of the week. I know one person who has a PS3 and it collects dust, but I know maybe a dozen or so people with a 360 and it gets played constantly.

  • lemonand posted Nov 18, 2007 10:16 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    lemonand

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 10:16 am PT (hide)

    I dont understand why all you people have xbox 360's. I admit that halo was a good game. What other special games is there for xbox 360. the simple fact is ps3 is better than xbox 360. have you ever wondered how much xbox 360 is holding back ps3. if ps3 was the only console games would be of a much higher quality simply because of blu-ray disc capabilities. As an owner of both 360 and ps3 i know ps3 is simply better. The sales dont reflect how good the console is. Surly you realise this? I am another xbox owner who has had to get a replacement console however i dont use it anymore now im bored of halo. I feel theres no excuse to buy a 360 anymore and if you have, simply put your a cheap-scate.
    As for the release of holiday season first party games i think drakes fortune will be the most successful of them so-far.

    loads of people that have only got a 360 probably wont like my views but its the truth. 360 IS OLD TECHNOLOGY this will be true until it uses HD-DVD discs.

  • FlauM

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 4:52 am PT

    I wish PS3 would get their holiday season games out... I haven't seen any that take my fancy, yet

  • Froman2000

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 1:44 pm PT

    nice detail

  • ctg867

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 11:18 am PT

    Not having NPD numbers for Toys R Us is a bit of a problem, and does mess with numbers a bit. Though the whole thing about software being down because of included games with the 360/PSP is bull. I'd be willing to bet that has very, very little bearing in sales.

    The PS3 sales are very disappointing yes, I'll admit that. But you have to take into consideration a couple of things. The rumored price drop kept people waiting to pick up the PS3, rather then buying one in Oct. And a lot of people are waiting out for the holidays to buy a PS3 (like myself) along with a bunch of games. So let's wait until after the holidays to say anything about the PS3.

    Will it come in last place? Most likely. But does that mean it sold poorly or it's a failure? Absolutely not. The PSP is second by a long shot to the DS, but it's selling 200-250k or more every month. How can you call that a failure just because it isn't doing as well as the guy in first when those numbers by themselves are ****ing amazing?

  • davahsa

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 9:12 am PT

    Good luck PS3. We need a strong showing this holiday for the good of the industry. With the Wii being a different monster all together the PS3 needs to be competitive with M$ so us consumers get better products from a competative market place as opposed to getting tons of trash churned out on the one console that everyone owns.

  • Justforfun44

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 8:56 am PT

    The numbers show continued strength for Xbox 360 and Wii. But somehow the RROD creeps back from the past. This problem is fixed by Microsoft with their voluntary free repair warranty for 3 years. This article has nothing to do with RROD.

  • ScottEFresh

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 8:23 am PT

    Can't wait for Uncharted and HAZE!!!!!!!!!

  • mashom

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 6:09 am PT

    OH My GOD, why you guys are arguing? Both are BEST Microsoft and Sony, they are doing their best, we are to play not to argue...

  • metc123

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 6:05 am PT

    PS3 are taking over what? lol please do be serious

  • dorohala posted Nov 17, 2007 5:36 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    dorohala

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 5:36 am PT (hide)

    Why is it so many poeple write alot of crap! PS3 is taking over now!!!

  • l337fool

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 4:16 am PT

    Anthony71B "Gimme a break...right over your head. I'm not arguing with an obvious Xbot, when I know I'm right."

    Is there a template for posts by PS fanboys?
    1) Overhype Sony 1st party games (extra points if you bash HALO)
    2) Use the term RROD and pump up 360 failure rate
    3) Refer to anyone who disagrees as an Xbot
    4) Refute NPD numbers with hypothetical figures from VGcharts
    5) Complain about the cost of XBL gold memeberships (-5$/mo)
    6) Insult 3rd party developers for not having skills to program the games YOU want for the PS3
    7 ) Call the Wii a Fad
    8 ) Claim that Sony will soon over take the 360 with this months price drop regardless of the sales figures
    9) Insist the ever growing library of upcoming games for the 360 doesn't exist and its all over now that H3 is out even though that game sucks.
    10) Claim blu ray is needed for good games and talk about how its winning the format war no one cares about.

  • l337fool

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 4:00 am PT

    Darkride66 said
    "How dare employees from EA say that half their 360's have failed. They are the ones who're lying. Wake up. "

    I know a guy who works at EA... He plays the hell out of his 360 never said a word to me about it. Please you keep trying to blow this up. Seriously your alleged issues exceed the norm even if there was a 33% failure rate. I don't think 360's like you and to be honest from your posts here its little wonder as to why.

  • Anthony71B

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 3:58 am PT

    Gimme a break...right over your head. I'm not arguing with an obvious Xbot, when I know I'm right.

  • AngelsongCA

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 1:43 am PT

    @Anthony71B

    To summarize your post.

    Microsoft had a manufacturing blunder in the past(Which they are correcting at great cost) and I'm going to whine, complain, and hiss at them for it forever, rather than getting over it and moving on. I couldn't get my shipping box on time, so I'm going to whine and complain forever. XBOX should have stayed on the market longer. I've had some bad customer service experiences, that means they are all like that for everyone(Reality called, it says you haven't been stopping by lately, and to come back soon.).

    You just don't get it. It's not about Microsoft, or XBOX 360. You can hate both of them if you want, it's about the games. XBOX had plenty of great games on the system to make it worth the purchase, that's all that matters. You buy a game system to play a game, or many games that you see as desirable on it, and for games that you know will be on it. After that it's purpose has been served, otherwise you wouldn't buy one at all. PS2's failed like it was the fun thing to do when it was first released(No free replacements, or refunds), did people get so "rear-end" hurt over it that they didn't buy another one? No. Why? It's about the games more than anything.

    If being burned a few times causes you to get so "rear-end" hurt that you'll give up playing some of the most awesome games ever, that's your choice. I hardly see how that's worth it. If people stuck with Sony after their system failures, then why wouldn't they do so with Microsoft's? Because they aren't company or system fanboy's, they are gamers.

  • Anthony71B

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 12:18 am PT

    Actually, I understand Darkride66's frustration. While the delivery of his words may make it compelling for others, like AngelsongCA, to take a bite out of his posterior- I believe the same person-and other's who would refute and downplay the shamefully defective nature of the 360 are either naive or in denial. One person (you know who you are) said, "the likelihood of having more than one console fail is very low, but it can happen. " Reality check, I've been through three As a result, I should probably throw away my degree in Network Admin, and get certified fixing 360's-since I know practically every part of its horribly flawed architecture The customer service at MS? Heh, heh, heh...leave's a lot to be desired. Three failed attempts to send me a ship out box with a UPS mailing label, in my eyes, is called striking out (or incompetance). 2-3 weeks waiting between each request is called "losing a customer." How about the all too heard of practice of them returing refurbished premiums for defective elite's? Or even denying that there was anything wrong at all until the whole situation was about to critical mass into a class action law suit? The 33% fail rate is not a Sony or Nintendo Fanboy ammo, it is a retail fact-do your homework. I think the prospect of 33% of 12 million consoles a high enough figure(3,960,000) for the likelihood of one's second 360 to fail, as well. Let's face it, MS was more concerned with getting the one year jump on Sony that they rushed the system out the door prematurley. What's so hard to admit about that? Xbox easily had at least a couple more years of life left to it. To try to make more money, they sacrificed (burned) those who give them money (the consumer). What do they care, when after all, they wipe their posteriors with $100.00 bills. This is not a flame, I have lost any anger I had for them long ago when I realized that I would no longer support any MS Game Division product again. Those of you who wish to refute what I have to say, go ahead-but do not sugar coat MS's scandalous business practice's but making them sound justifiably okay because "their fixing the problem, now." Those who would stick with them through that kind of irresponsibility and disrespect (and there are indeed millions) are clearly the MS loyalists', while there are those who are disgusted and dismayed at them or simply don't like the 360 experience at all (again, millions). Just thought I would give my two cents (which is more than what this subject is worth).

  • NeoNavarro

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 11:00 pm PT

    I just spent over 300+ dollars on six new games for the 360. I don't have any money left for the Playstation 3. Tis holiday season as someone put it is heaven! So many games and not enough hours in a day to fit work college, and games.

  • AngelsongCA

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 10:47 pm PT

    @darkride66 "Not refunding my money from my second last console also isn't a shining example of customer service. The net is full of thousands upon thousands of stories, just like mine."

    And, there's millions of positive praise to go up against that. This should tell you something. Crying about a problem that is being fixed, and complaining about poor customer service, like everyone experiences it like you have is just childish.

    It's time to be a man and accept that sometimes things just don't go your way. That doesn't mean they always wont.

  • AngelsongCA

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 10:38 pm PT

    @darkride66
    "If you're not prepared to hear other peoples ideas, opinions and experiences, stop posting on these forums. Read your last post. Does it add anything to this debate? Does the fact Microsoft fixed the consoles somehow negate that there's probably 4 million 360 console owners out there that will go through the same frustrations I have?"

    Actually you are the one that's not prepared, you should be prepared for your statements being criticized by others on a public forum. You have a problem with what people say? Then talk it out, don't cry about it please.

    The likelyhood of having more than one console fail is very low, but it can happen. You can count yourself as being one of the unlucky.

    I've added plenty of new ideas, and different points of view for one to consider. That's adding to the debate I would say.

    And, it's pointless to throw out a number without a wide enough base of factual data. You're just speculating.

    Out of the 12+ million XBOX 360's out there how many have been covered?

    There's too many variables to consider in order to come to a conclusion. Were there bad batches of consoles released with good batches, did they all come from the same manufacturing plant? You don't even know what caused the problems, which could stem from multiple causes, for multiple reasons, or how easy or hard it is to correct.

  • juggleJUGGLER

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 9:57 pm PT

    the next 2 months look to be gaming heaven for ps3 but especially x-box 360 owners. i had to send my 360 in but, im not crying about it like darkride66. the only thing you seem to be good at is talking about all the bad 360s and MS having to replace them with old ones. get a new 360 and play your games. besides i knocked my 360 over one day thats the only reason it stopped working.

  • darkride66

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 9:33 pm PT

    l337fool stated "they are the only manafacturer I have ever seen actually publicly admit to a problem and do everything in their power to take care of the customer"
    Really? Last I checked, MS's official stance was still there's 3-7% faulty. Shipping me an older console than the one I sent to them doesn't sound like they're taking care of me too well. Not refunding my money from my second last console also isn't a shining example of customer service. The net is full of thousands upon thousands of stories, just like mine. Go ahead. Plug your ears and say nothing's wrong and we're all just fanboys, all the posters, the retailers, the analysts. All of us. How dare employees from EA say that half their 360's have failed. They are the ones who're lying. Wake up.

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