The Xbox 360 Core Is The Biggest Mistake Microsoft Made

The Xbox 360 Core SKU was introduced at the launch of the Xbox 360. It was introduced at a relatively low price for a high definition next generation console at $299.99 USD. There was a catch, though: it didn't include a hard-drive and was void from essential features that enhance the Xbox experience.

So what's the mistake? Microsoft says the sweet spot in pricing is $199. This means that Microsoft isn't going to get rid of their Core SKU anytime soon. In fact, the Premium SKU has a better chance of being axed than the Core model. Why isn't Microsoft going to get rid of this SKU? Because they need to expand their demographic. The console is only appealing to hardcore gamers, and they need to expand like Nintendo is expanding with the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Developers will continue to keep the Core model in mind, and without a hard drive, games are going to get downgraded. Microsoft even wants developers to, and I quote, "degrade" the game. Microsoft is asking developers to "degrade" textures in games in order to cater to the Core users and increase loading times. The only exception to this policy are MMOs. Now, you might counter this by saying that the mass market does not own a Core SKU--well that brings me back to my second point: Microsoft WILL bring down the Core's price to $199--and that is mass market pricing.

Thanks to the Xbox 360 being the best selling HD console, most games will have to be built around the Xbox 360. GTAIV will NOT have a HDD required sticker on it. You know why? Because GTAIV is a mass market game, the Core is a mass market system: if the two aren't compatible with eachother, then Microsoft has an even bigger problem on its hands.

To add to this, if some of you think that the majority of the mass market cares for things like the HDD: then you're wrong. Only 30% of 360 owners are aware of high definition capabilities in their console. I seriously doubt users care about HDDs if they aren't even aware of the major selling point of the Xbox 360.

The PS3, however, has a HDD in every single unit sold. This is a major incentive to developers and gamers alike since developers can use the PS3 as the lead SKU. Many developers have already done this with EA (Burnout Paradise and Army of Two) and Sega (Sega Rally) starting the new trend.

Source

I think microsoft shoulve done it this way.

Have a core and premium, but instead of the core being a piece of crap because it doesnt have anything with it. They should put a smaller hdd in the core models. Maybe 10 gb instead of 20gb or something like that.

the premium far outsells the core so i dont get how its the mass market sku

the premium far outsells the core so i dont get how its the mass market sku

lazzordude

You didn't read, did you? :|

The Xbox 360 Core SKU was introduced at the launch of the Xbox 360. It was introduced at a relatively low price for a high definition next generation console at $299.99 USD. There was a catch, though: it didn't include a hard-drive and was void from essential features that enhance the Xbox experience.

So what's the mistake? Microsoft says the sweet spot in pricing is $199. This means that Microsoft isn't going to get rid of their Core SKU anytime soon. In fact, the Premium SKU has a better chance of being axed than the Core model. Why isn't Microsoft going to get rid of this SKU? Because they need to expand their demographic. The console is only appealing to hardcore gamers, and they need to expand like Nintendo is expanding with the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Developers will continue to keep the Core model in mind, and without a hard drive, games are going to get downgraded. Microsoft even wants developers to, and I quote, "degrade" the game. Microsoft is asking developers to "degrade" textures in games in order to cater to the Core users and increase loading times. The only exception to this policy are MMOs. Now, you might counter this by saying that the mass market does not own a Core SKU--well that brings me back to my second point: Microsoft WILL bring down the Core's price to $199--and that is mass market pricing.

Thanks to the Xbox 360 being the best selling HD console, most games will have to be built around the Xbox 360. GTAIV will NOT have a HDD required sticker on it. You know why? Because GTAIV is a mass market game, the Core is a mass market system: if the two aren't compatible with eachother, then Microsoft has an even bigger problem on its hands.

To add to this, if some of you think that the majority of the mass market cares for things like the HDD: then you're wrong. Only 30% of 360 owners are aware of high definition capabilities in their console. I seriously doubt users care about HDDs if they aren't even aware of the major selling point of the Xbox 360.

The PS3, however, has a HDD in every single unit sold. This is a major incentive to developers and gamers alike since developers can use the PS3 as the lead SKU. Many developers have already done this with EA (Burnout Paradise and Army of Two) and Sega (Sega Rally) starting the new trend.

Source

TrueReligion_

Wow... I am speechless.foxhound_fox

You have a good reason to. We will, collectively, enjoy low polygon models/textures and be entertained by long loading times.

Thank you, Microsoft.

I think microsoft shoulve done it this way.

Have a core and premium, but instead of the core being a piece of crap because it doesnt have anything with it. They should put a smaller hdd in the core models. Maybe 10 gb instead of 20gb or something like that.

Lemmywinks_360

true a cheap HDD wouldn't give anybody an excuse not to have one, but I think MS is paranoid about piracy so we'll not likely seen any cheap alternatives.

I really don't think any core users don't have a hard drive. I'm sure most of them are teens who's parents are buying their system. They make the kid settile for the lower priced one, and then the kid eventually nags his parents into getting a HDD the way snobby kids always do.

they should keep the core. just make games harddrive needed games if they need to use a harddrive. so hardrive ownwers get the best games they canMiles0T0Prower

that would be a terrible offense.

yes i read you post.and still most people do and will buy the premium because the average person doesnt drop a few hundred dollarswithout doing a bit of research.lazzordude

So, you're telling me Grandma and Aunt Betty are going to pass up on getting little Jonny an Xbox 360 for $199 and opt for the more expensive version? Your reasoning is devoid of any common sense, whatsoever.

they should keep the core. just make games harddrive needed games if they need to use a harddrive. so hardrive ownwers get the best games they canMiles0T0Prower

Not going to happen when the Core is mass market.

The core Lemmings are owned.

But everyone knew the tard pack was garbage, right?

[QUOTE="lazzordude"]yes i read you post.and still most people do and will buy the premium because the average person doesnt drop a few hundred dollarswithout doing a bit of research.TrueReligion_

So, you're telling me Grandma and Aunt Betty are going to pass up on getting little Jonny an Xbox 360 for $199 and opt for the more expensive version? Your reasoning is devoid of any common sense, whatsoever.

Nahhhh, really?

Everybody knows this, Lemmings included.

I think microsoft shoulve done it this way.

Have a core and premium, but instead of the core being a piece of crap because it doesnt have anything with it. They should put a smaller hdd in the core models. Maybe 10 gb instead of 20gb or something like that.

Lemmywinks_360

Either that, or just include a memory card for saves. I would say 5G hard drive would be sufficient for the core.

The biggest mistake Microsoft made?

Probably designing a console that can't go a couple of weeks without croaking.

The biggest mistake Microsoft made?

Probably designing a console that can't go a couple of weeks without croaking.

beckhambender

Makes you wonder what the idiot QA were doing.

"Yep. It turned on. Good enough for me."

The Xbox 360 Core SKU was introduced at the launch of the Xbox 360. It was introduced at a relatively low price for a high definition next generation console at $299.99 USD. There was a catch, though: it didn't include a hard-drive and was void from essential features that enhance the Xbox experience.

So what's the mistake? Microsoft says the sweet spot in pricing is $199. This means that Microsoft isn't going to get rid of their Core SKU anytime soon. In fact, the Premium SKU has a better chance of being axed than the Core model. Why isn't Microsoft going to get rid of this SKU? Because they need to expand their demographic. The console is only appealing to hardcore gamers, and they need to expand like Nintendo is expanding with the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Developers will continue to keep the Core model in mind, and without a hard drive, games are going to get downgraded. Microsoft even wants developers to, and I quote, "degrade" the game. Microsoft is asking developers to "degrade" textures in games in order to cater to the Core users and increase loading times. The only exception to this policy are MMOs. Now, you might counter this by saying that the mass market does not own a Core SKU--well that brings me back to my second point: Microsoft WILL bring down the Core's price to $199--and that is mass market pricing.

Thanks to the Xbox 360 being the best selling HD console, most games will have to be built around the Xbox 360. GTAIV will NOT have a HDD required sticker on it. You know why? Because GTAIV is a mass market game, the Core is a mass market system: if the two aren't compatible with eachother, then Microsoft has an even bigger problem on its hands.

To add to this, if some of you think that the majority of the mass market cares for things like the HDD: then you're wrong. Only 30% of 360 owners are aware of high definition capabilities in their console. I seriously doubt users care about HDDs if they aren't even aware of the major selling point of the Xbox 360.

The PS3, however, has a HDD in every single unit sold. This is a major incentive to developers and gamers alike since developers can use the PS3 as the lead SKU. Many developers have already done this with EA (Burnout Paradise and Army of Two) and Sega (Sega Rally) starting the new trend.

Source

TrueReligion_

the old tech in a next gen unit was big mistake, PS3 was in development since PS2 was released... the 360 was put together with what ever top things MS had at the time, nothign new at all

What the hell is a tard-pack?

Anyways yes, I think they can redeem themselves by making the HDD cheaper and packaging all Xboxs with HDD's.
Or pull a Sony and drop the lowest SKU all together.

"The Xbox 360 Core Is The Biggest Mistake ..."

your dead wrong. read my blog if you want my rant

[QUOTE="beckhambender"]

The biggest mistake Microsoft made?

Probably designing a console that can't go a couple of weeks without croaking.

KhanhAgE

Makes you wonder what the idiot QA were doing.

"Yep. It turned on. Good enough for me."

It's like they hired monkeys for that task!

Ship out a 10-20GB HDD to every Core owner and Existing Cores on shelves and Plants.

They won't do that though....

Better luck next time MS.

What the hell is a tard-pack?

Anyways yes, I think they can redeem themselves by making the HDD cheaper and packaging all Xboxs with HDD's.
Or pull a Sony and drop the lowest SKU all together.

Pro_wrestler

That's still not totally redeeming themselves. That means core owners are forced to buy something to enjoy some games. Making it cheaper is a step, but the mistake is still big.

*sigh*

Some of you aren't understanding what I'm trying to convey.

The Core is going to be $199. It's going to happen. Microsoft is going to advertise their $199 console which is cheaper than the Wii. People are going to buy: it's going to be a mass market product.

Now that millions of people own a Core console, developers will have to "degrade" their games to cater for the Core crowd. They have no option: they have to make games HDD-less.

*sigh*

Some of you aren't understanding what I'm trying to convey.

The Core is going to be $199. It's going to happen. Microsoft is going to advertise their $199 console which is cheaper than the Wii. People are going to buy: it's going to be a mass market product.

Now that millions of people own a Core console, developers will have to "degrade" their games to cater for the Core crowd. They have no option: they have to make games HDD-less.

TrueReligion_

Dev are aware they have to make games with no standard HDD in mind.

Its not a big deal.

Games like Saints Row , Gears, Halo 3, Oblivion , Mass Effect have already proven this.

HDD will only be needed for MMO games.

If you are someone who cares less about the extra benefits of HDD then you dont need to buy a pro or an elite version you can choose to get the cheaper version and fully enjoy the game you bought.

And last gen with Xbox only about 10 % devs used the standard HDD for games, so blame them for MS making the decision not to have a standard HDD.

I think microsoft shoulve done it this way.

Have a core and premium, but instead of the core being a piece of crap because it doesnt have anything with it. They should put a smaller hdd in the core models. Maybe 10 gb instead of 20gb or something like that.

Lemmywinks_360

That would be a total of 3GB, LOL! Seeing that the 20 GB model only has 13 after it's formatted and everything...

agreed! they real stupid thing is that all original xbox' shad a 20gig HDD

so why the hell did MS downgrade the 360? so stupid!

I think the worst decision Microsoft ever made was getting into gaming period.

It has:

Cost them Billions with no return profit.

Made them look very unproffesional landing them in numerous magazines and TV shows for broken consoles.

Weakened their defenses against Apple by distracting their main focus right now which should be Zune.

Tangled up a great deal of their annual assets in technology that the company has very little expeience in.

Has them supporting a rapidly dying format (HD DVD)

Investing millions upon millions in a short but sweet 07 lineup with a visibly absent 08 lineup.

I like the Xbox and Xbox 360 but honestly it has been nothing but a burden to them as a company. Whether or not they will keep up the game is unknown to me....but all signs point to them quitting if they dont start making back money fast while resolving hardware issues just as quickly.

In any case good luck to them.

Maybe it was a mistake to have the core, even MS fans don't like it very much. But people like me get a system with HD, good games, online, plenty of storage and any other bells and whistles we want to pay for and Joe Blow gets to play Halo 3, Madden and GTA 4with a memory card for around $300 bucks not counting the price of the games.

Live and learn, maybe the next Xbox will be better designed, after all look at how well the PS3 hardware turnedout on the third try.

[QUOTE="beckhambender"]

The biggest mistake Microsoft made?

Probably designing a console that can't go a couple of weeks without croaking.

KhanhAgE

Makes you wonder what the idiot QA were doing.

"Yep. It turned on. Good enough for me."

QFT