Topic: Is X-Box a total failure? How does this help N?

[Thx1138]

With all of the anti-Nintendo slander going on right now, I thought I'd mention something I've been researching for one of my business classes.

It's been a bad year for X-Box fans. Now, before you call me a Nintendo "fanboy" I just want to say that I love my X-Box and I prefer it strongly to my crappy, unused ps2.  (My Ps2 was recently sold.)

Here's the truth, backed up by many facts, that the corrupt, anti-Nintendo press is too affraid to tell.

Recent articles on the web and elsewhere have caused me to believe that the X-box is a failure and the future of the system looks bleak.  Reguardless of what "spin" the press is putting on the situation.

First there was mention of the huge, billion dollar loses that the X-Box has suffered since it's launch. These enourmous financial loses were first revealed in the book "Opening the Xbox : Inside Microsoft's Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution."

That book can be found here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...384636?v=glance

This book, written by Dean Takahashi, blows the lid off of MS's giant financial sinkhole, otherwise known as the X-Box.  Mr. Takahashi is actually quite pro-MS.  Suprising, because this book is anything but flattering.


More recently, articles have appeared on Gamespot, Gamespy and IGN indicating that the X-Box will NEVER be profitable. Meaning the company will never make back a dime they invested in the system, even with the game royalties they collect from 3rd parties.

Read more here:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/a...1/29/2003096674

http://tech-critic.com/comments.php?id=8685&catid=4

Then there is the departure of Ed Fries, the man who is essentially responsible for the X-Box. Although many have tried to downplay this key players departure, it truly is big news, and yet another blow to an already struggling company.

In my opinion, Ed's departure was almost as bad as when the GameBoy Genius, Gunpei Yokoi left Nintendo for "personal reasons." (They always say that.)

Read more here:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/156...sftgames14.html

Next there is the fact that X-Box is now in last place, or at least, in last place in America and Europe. (It may be in last place globally as well, but that has yet to be proven.)

Read more here:

http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/g...ews/31694.shtml

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2004/1/15-38

I won't even get into the trouble X-Box is having in Japan...

Finally, there are the X-Box 2 RUMORS. Apparently, MS is now considering dumping the hard drive and losing backwards compatibility. Although this is just a RUMOR for now. Personally, I could care less if they dump the hard-drive, especially if it makes the system smaller. However, X2 not being backwards compatible would be a BIG disappointment to me, and to other fans alike.

Read more here:

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/488/488949p1.html

Personally, I really wan't the X-Box to succeed. I truly hate $ony and I would love for someone to knock them from their undeserved position at No#1. Yet, all of this depressing evidence concerning the current state of the X-box really has me down. Couple this with the RUMORS about the X2, and it seems that Microsoft may be throwing it all away.

What do you think? Am I depressed for nothing? Or did I waste $300 on a last place loser? (Yes, I bought my Box on day one.  )

So it seems that X-Box is a failure financially, a failure in Japan, and it's now in last place.

What's left?  Is it a total failure?  And how does this help Nintendo?

(I know some of you just cant wait to jump down my throat.  So in the immortal words of the "Human Torch,"  FLAME ON!!!)

[Chongman]

xbox is last, but image wise its clearly second.

nintendo could jump into the lead selling a bajillion units and the media would still stamp "failure!" over all their editorials and praise xbox for its technological "revolution."

Its all bs if u ask me.

Xbox has a very good image. They're not making money, they're not selling consoles, they're in last place, but people still think its super cool and that nintendo is still "kiddy"

so, in that case, xbox is not a failure, but a success in MS's plan to profit on the X2. if that ever happens remains to be seen.

[Ocarina Blue]

The X-Box has proved that a system can muster mainstream support, particuarly in North America. This is something Nintendo just hasn't been able to do. I guess they've 'taken' some of Nintendo's former market share, which couldn't have helped.
I can't help but see the X-Box as a symbol of the games industry falling into artistic oblivion and commercial obsequiousness. I don't think of that as a positive thing.

Microsoft never really specified what exactly it wanted to gain from the X-Box, so it can't, IMHO, be classified as a failure. A financial one, though? Definately.

When it comes down to it, Microsoft effectivley monopolised the computer OS scence with clever tactics, and managed to keep it there wil lots of dosh. In the gaming market, they've started off will lots of dosh. I see no reason at all why I should trust them or buy their product. They've failed in the market place, and yet it looks like they're going to remain, and I can't see at all how this would lead to them effecting the industy in a positive way.

[Thx1138]

I forgot to mention that X-Box was SERIOUSLY beaten this Holiday season.  And as we all know they are in last place globally.

There are also the constant delays that Halo 2 is facing.  Reminds me of the Perfect Dark debacle.

And speaking of RARE, it seems that the purchase of this lazy, arrogant 3rd party developer was a BIG mistake.  Mediocre titles, delay after delay, and now Perfect Dark Zero has been put on hold "indefinitely."  

[Deguello]

The Xbox was all a big play for mindshare, and the hard truth is that mindshare is worthless.  Period.

Example.  Nintendo had ALL the mindshare and then some with the launch of the N64.  IT didn't matter though, they lost it rather quickly, as, despite the earth-changing games at launch, they just didn't deliver more until way after.  Mindshare didn't help them there.

Marketshare is king.  And Nintendo has more of that than anybody.  And before you fling those outstanding PS2 sales numbers at me, please be advised that I am including the GB market.  I do not view it as separate and unimportant as Magazines and newspapers and websites would have me view it.  But I'm sure as soon the PSP is release, the Handheld market will become REALLY important, if you catch my dirft.