Topic: Microsoft plans shortage

[KDR_11k]

Article

In order to make sure that they can tell us "the X360 is sold out everywhere!" and not fall on their faces like Sony did when they announced that for the PSP, MS decided to ship a very small initial shipment. IMO that gives the word of mouth that the launch games suck (Oblivion, the one game most people were waiting for, got delayed) a lot more time to spread.  

[Kairon]

This isn't new, because Microsoft heads have already admitted that their near simultaneous world launch has been giving them extreme supply headaches. Now, since the link is weird for me, exactly how small are their shipment numbers, and can they still make their target of 2-3 million X360's sold this year?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[BlackNMild2k1]

that link isn't working and I'm too lazy to type it in manualy (or copy paste ), but since I read about this yesterday somewhere else, I'll tell you what I remember.

MS told european retailers that they will allow thier store 20 consoles on launch day (6 core & 14 premium) on two conditions.

1. They must sell every single console on launch day.
&
2. They must sell atleast 2 games with each console sold.

if both of those conditions were met then they were eligible to recieve more consoles ASAP.

edit: from the link above

Quote
Gizmodo reports that in Norway, the launch marketing campaign aims to build hype around the console by trumpeting its "SOLD OUT!" status to would-be buyers. In addition to limiting the per-store stock of consoles and having the retailers prepare to prominently note the unit's "sold out" status, Microsoft has allegedly asked Norwegian retailers to sign an agreement that they'll sell out of the consoles on the launch date.

Here in the states, Kotaku leaks the details of Target's launch preparations. From Kotaku's Target mole:

The average store can expect to have between 25 and 50 consoles the first day, but it mentions elsewhere that this number can be as low as 10. This is all determined by average store volume. I checked the computer and the consoles, games and peripherals are already in the system, so if you have a generous Target employee they can check to see exactly the amount of consoles they have in when they get the shipment.

On Nov. 22:

Every store will print up tickets representing the number of 360's and core systems they have in stock. They are also supposed to print a large sign informing customers that the store has sold out and keep it on hand.

I saw a slightly different quote yesterday, if I find it I'll edit this post and put it here

[Sir_Stabbalot]

A lot of people think Oblivion was delayed because the 360 couldn't run it at a smooth 60 FPS, so Microsoft had them delay both the 360 and the PC version. That's one of the few reasons people could come up with, what with the PC version in the polishing stages and the 360 version never being shown in action.  

[stevey]

link

lol ms is destoring their launch for them to get hype they must be desprit and stupid.

[Arbok]

[From Stevey's link]
"The Xbox 360 system software runs on cores 1 and 2, with a minimum of 5% of the processing time of each of these cores being reserved for system-related tasks like networking, I/O, etc. For console developers, core 0 will be the primary core for running game code, because they'll have that core all to themselves."

So, if I'm reading this right, then 90% of the console's power can be used for game's themsevles? Assuming that Core 1 and 2 runs at the minimums? What happens if a develop pushes a game to use near that limit, and then someone's set up goes beyond the 10% minimum for core 1 and 2?

Maybe Nintendo was right to hide the specs if stuff like this is being done in the other consoles, as even if the Xbox 360 is more powerful than the Revolution, could all that power actually be put behind running a game?

[PaLaDiN]

That actually means there's three cores: 0, 1 and 2. 0 is the main one for games. 1 and 2 have 5% each dedicated to system-related tasks.

[Sir_Stabbalot]

5% may not be much, but I get the feeling it may take a good amount of the front side bus from the rest of the system. So slowdown may be a problem on demanding games.

[Arbok]

Quote
Originally posted by: PaLaDiN
That actually means there's three cores: 0, 1 and 2. 0 is the main one for games. 1 and 2 have 5% each dedicated to system-related tasks.

Ok, so I was doing the math wrong... I guess that would mean that 3.3% of the system's total power would be dedicated to system-related tasks then.

[KDR_11k]

The question remains: What "system related tasks" does a console have to run while the game does?

[vudu]

Hacking into Wal-Mart's inventory system, checking your PC for bootleg Windows programs, etc.

[ThePerm]

shortage  is good marketing..it'll be all over the  news...xbox 360  will be heard by everyone  for free.

[stevey]

"shortage is good marketing..it'll be all over the news...xbox 360 will be heard by everyone for free. "

It is now, on cnn they saying that the 360 sold out online at the wal-mart and say that it's the only one this year and that it might be in sort suppy and to get one now ... note to self ms is paying off cnn.

[couchmonkey]

Nah, you don't need to pay off CNN, the whole media loves to report this kind of inane crap, because people want to know it.  "OH NOES, I'd better get Jimmy his Xbox 306 soon, or he'll be teh sad for XMAS!"

[Epitaph]

If this is like any previous consol launches in canada I could make a killing off of microsoft. I could buy 2 maybe 3 consols and sell them on ebay for tripple the cost.

[KDR_11k]

Well, if you manage to get them, that is.