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19 Aug 05
Now that I've told Microsoft what I think they should do, I'd like to the look at the broader market implications before dropping this topic in the abyss. Some have suggested that this move opens the door for Sony to follow suit. I disagree. I think it opens the door for Sony to explore a broader launch price range, but I don't think Sony is going to launch multiple units.
Sony has been consistent in their console strategy from the beginning. They launch a base model with some available upgrades. They add a few more upgrades down the line. Then they launch a smaller, streamlined version. It's been a winning formula for them.
I also think Sony definitely doesn't want to confuse consumers. They're going to claim their console is the best. There's no confusion, just buy the best. I've mentioned before that Sony has too many eggs riding in the PS3 basket to risk dropping it. That's why I think they'll stick with the $299 price. It's safe and what people expect. I doubt you'll see a component cable pack in. I'm sure we'll see some new accessories. Otherwise, I just see Sony playing it safe.
In the opposite camp, Nintendo is doing nothing similar to playing it safe. They've told us nothing substantial about their next console. They have a super secret controller that's not done, but is the key to the Revolution. They are going wireless and releasing the back library of Nintendo games for sale. They're not supporting HDTV's. Yet, they'll give us a couple of must have masterpieces, and we'll forgive them. I'll guess they'll stand pat with their $199 launch price from the Gamecube. Oh, and they'll probably release more colors later.
That's just a long winded way of saying I don't think Microsoft's move will impact the rest of the market. There is time if this idea suddenly becomes wildly popular, but I don't expect it.
Jason
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18 Aug 05
I've been thinking about Microsoft's strategy. On the one hand, it solves several marketing problems for them. They get to meet the magic $299 price point. They don't have to eat the cost of hard drives. They get to sell more peripherals. And they add flexibility to their pricing to meet the PS3 launch. Great, but what about the gamers?
I think that's the real problem here. Since the beginning of May, Microsoft seems to have taken the hardcore gaming community for granted. Sort of, if you build it, they will come. Well, that's true to a certain segment of the gaming community that must have the latest and greatest of everything. The rest of us need to be convinced.
When gamers look at the features to value for the packages, really only the "premium" bundle makes sense. Or does it? True, if you game online and own a HDTV set, you really need the premium bundle. I believe, Xbox Live membership still hovers around the 10% of the installed user base. In the US, I believe the generous estimates put about 25-30% of US households with a HDTV set. I think it's lower in Europe and higher in Japan. With Microsoft's stated goal to reach one billion users, clearly most of their customers won't need the high end model.
So Microsoft will sell a lot of the "core" bundles then, right? Well, not so fast. Rumors say that Microsoft is looking to produce 85% premium bundles and 15% core. That indicates that their early customer base is expected to be hardcore gamers. I'd imagine most of them have a Xbox and a Live Gamertag.
Here's a hint for Microsoft then. Focus on the hardcore gamers from now until launch. The MTV fiasco was strike one. Who but hardcore gamers were jerked around with all this hype and pricing nonsense? No one else. Strike two. Don't get strike three. It's time to play up to the base. Flood us with Live information. Tell us how your platform was made with the gamer first mind set. Here's an idea. Make a DVD with gameplay footage from all the launch window games. Not just five second clips. Show off the games and the system. Send it out to every Xbox Live registered user. Expensive? Maybe, but you'll cover the cost in new preorders almost immediately.
Then 1 Sept 05 start the ad blitz. Gaming sites, TV, radio, whatever. I shouldn't be able to think about games without an Xbox 360 popping up somewhere close by. There should be a 360 theme each week. Ads should match. Interviews, screenshots, videos and fact sheets should be available to match the theme. Rotate sites, but there should be a Xbox 360 headline nearly every day until launch.
Show your commitment to gamers with that sweat equity, and we'll come in droves. Keep jerking us around, and it will get ugly.
Jason
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17 Aug 05
Well, well, well. I had some things I was going to talk about today, but Microsoft preempted me. They announced the pricing plan(s) for the Xbox 360. Wow. Just Wow. Let's start with a link. I'll use the Game Over column since it's something gamers should be reading anyway. It covers the basics of the announcement.
To start, it feels like a bait and switch. Microsoft can claim correctly that they've never made official announcements on pricing before this. They showed us a product that had a hard drive, wireless controllers and was HD ready out of the box. Then they let out that the console would be priced around $300. They just didn't mention that it wasn't the console they had just shown us.
So what do we have? The bare bones version will be priced at $299. It has the console, no hard drive, it comes with standard A/V (RCA) cables and a wired controller. Obviously, it abandons (at least temporarily) the HD era. It's also surprising since Microsoft never made mention of wired controllers at all. While some have dubbed this version the ghetto box, it could prove quite popular since to a non gamer (perhaps a parent or other gift giving relative) the added features of the more expensive version don't seem as valuable as a game or two.
The $399 version does add a lot. You get the HD component cables, a 20 gig hard drive, an upgrade to a wireless controller, an ethernet cable (Wow!), a Xbox Live Silver Membership (I thought everyone was supposed to get that free), a headset and, for a limited time, a media remote. With the exception of the headset (and the ethernet cable), that's what most of us were expecting for $299.
I could mention that they keep listing the face plate as a feature, but that's like listing the doors on your car as a feature (keeps the wind out!). Bill probably said it best over at Dubious Quality, "Stop talking about the FACEPLATE, you chowderheads. That is not a feature." I think it's 'chowderheads' that puts it over the top.
Surfing around the boards and the sites, it seems that a lot of gamers are feeling hurt and upset by this announcement. Actually, feelings are kind of similar to after the MTV fiasco. Too bad Microsoft can't put their marketing in reverse. They were doing a masterful job until we got close to E3.
Tomorrow, I'll go over some of the implications of all this. I have a bunch, but I don't want to go over them while I'm still upset. Besides, there are a few connections that I think are there, but I want to ponder for a while. Feel free to comment or send me your thoughts.
Jason
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16 Aug 05
Seventy-two games. That's the total upcoming listing from EB for the Gamecube. I mention that because today we found out that Nintendo has pushed back the most wanted of those games until next spring. Yes, The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess (TTP) won't be out for the holidays.
EB's not perfect, but they are consistent. Comparing the number of upcoming releases is pretty fair across the board. So we see that the PS2 still leads the pack with 194 games coming up. The Xbox is next with 147. Then there's the PC with 136. Then we have a clump with the GCN, GBA, PSP and DS all having around 70 a piece. I guess the Xbox 360 could have up to 40 games in their launch window.
That's a lot of competition for a console going into the holiday season. It's that much harder without your number one hit. I have no doubt TTP will be a huge seller whenever it's released. I'm also happy that Nintendo admitted to rushing The Wind Waker and promised not to make the mistake again. That makes me confident it will be a stellar game.
This underlines Nintendo's real problem. They just don't have enough quality titles for their systems. They have some great games, but spaced out by long dry period. They get some multiconsole titles, but the Cube is almost never the best version. Then a fair number of their titles are truly niche titles that just can't expand their user base. For instance, I'm interested in Odama that combines a RTS warfare engine with a pinball game, but I couldn't see anyone buying a cube for it.
So what does the Big N have to sell systems this holiday season? They're coming out with Mario Baseball, Mario DDR, Mario Strikers, Mario Party 7, Kirby, Odama, Fire Emblem, Pokemon XD, Chibi-Robo and Battalion Wars. Can you say preaching to the choir? Pokemon XD is probably the only one of those that will qualify as a hit.
Nintendo also announced that they are dropping the price of the Nintendo DS. I'm guessing a Gamecube price drop is in the offing as well. Despite my pessimism, I'll probably eventually end up playing Odama, Fire Emblem and Battalion Wars. Who knows? I might even end up playing one of the Mario games.
Jason
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15 Aug 05
Well, another week, another site hack. I really try to keep up with all the security updates, but it's amazing how quickly hackers will seek out any vulnerable site. I apologize to anyone who had problems accessing the site today. Thank you for your patience.
In an unrelated incident, one of my credit cards was compromised as well. That account is now closed. I often marvel at the convenience of the internet, but it also means that thieves and vandals don't have to leave their homes to rob you and deface your little corner. Still, I like to think it's worth it.
I've notice people coming here (not hackers) who are looking for some Battlefield 2 tactics. I know there are some good guides around the net, but I'm interested in putting together a sort of casual players guide. This is a guide that would be like you talking to a good friend you're trying to get interested in the game. You want to show him the ropes so he feels comfortable quickly. You also want to get him into a role where he feels useful right away and can succeed. That's important since he'll probably be playing on your team for a while if you get him interested.
I've put a topic in the forum for your input or you can email me. Thanks for your help.
I'm still clearing my want list for the game of the week. This week's game is Rise of Legends (official site) from Big Huge Games. Legends is the sequel to Rise of Nations. This time they're using a true 3D engine and taking us to a fantasy and steampunk world. It's still a real time nation building strategy game, but this time instead of minor differences the four factions will be wildly different. We've only been introduced to two thus far, the desert magic, Arabian mythology based Alim and the steampunk Renaissance Vinci. The other two (one magic and one technological) will be announced later. What you can expect is city building, huge armies, lots of tech to research and eye candy. Look for Rise of Legends in 2006.
Jason
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