Tomorrow Night is Microsoft's Last Stand

Tomorrow Night (Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ) is Microsoft's last stand for the Xbox 360. They will send their LIVE VP, John Schappert, up to the stage to discuss some huge things.

There have been a lot of rumors - LIVE dedicated servers, LIVE overhaul, 3D virtual-world LIVE interface, free LIVE, new 360 SKUs, and a price cut, all floating around. However, what is becoming clear is that something must happen.

-

Sony isn't going to win the war because of Blu-Ray winning the format war, they're not going to win simply because of MGS4, they're not simply going to win because of more reliable hardware. They're going to win because, despite all odds, despite running on hot air and potential for the past year, they've managed to sell units at a remarkable rate. Despite what common sense and the "gamer inside us" would suggest, Sony sells units with nothing going for them. With things actually on their side? They'll tie Microsoft.

It doesn't hurt that Sony sells well in three major markets, whereas Microsoft only sells well in two.

-

What does all this mean?

The GTA IV launch is coming - it's significant - it's one of, if not the, biggest game to drop in a long time. It's a system selling game, a household name, and the turning point (possibly) for the System War. Microsoft has a golden opportunity - a chance to finish off Sony before they get a chance to fully spread their wings. Microsoft can, tomorrow night, make a real announcement - and do *everything* we've heard rumored, and more. They can make the 360 win over the PS3 tomorrow.

The war could literally be over in a one hour keynote.

-

And if it's not? If Microsoft fails to act? We'll spend the next two years watching Sony slowly gain on them until Sony and Microsoft are neck-and-neck, and then watch the PS3 pass the 360 due to superior hardware, features, and international appeal.

Microsoft has one chance tomorrow folks - like it or not, Microsoft is making the call that seals their fate in a little over twenty-four hours. I wish them the best of luck...

last stand? this early in the game?

no way, next year definately but they are in no danger of simply falling off the face of the earth and failing. they are in danger of losing 2nd place.

if they don't have a good 08, then 09 is thier last stand.

last stand? this early in the game?

no way, next year definately but they are in no danger of simply falling off the face of the earth and failing. they are in danger of losing 2nd place.

if they don't have a good 08, then 09 is thier last stand.

rocktimusprime

MS is in a really bad position right now from a business stand point. They gotta drop something big this year or sony will win.

Oh, the anticipation!

To be honest, I think that if MS wants to trump Sony this year, they might have to do everything that you listed. Sony has a lot going for them this year to be taken lightly...

i completely agree with you there. this is microsoft's chance to try and slow the momentum of sony. i reckon they have some big things to announce and they will obviously try and advertise gta4 for the 360 very strongly as this game is the big daddy.

[QUOTE="rocktimusprime"]

last stand? this early in the game?

no way, next year definately but they are in no danger of simply falling off the face of the earth and failing. they are in danger of losing 2nd place.

if they don't have a good 08, then 09 is thier last stand.

jangojay

MS is in a really bad position right now from a business stand point. They gotta drop something big this year or sony will win.

because of one bad month?

please.

lets make those judgements when its the end of 08. right now MS just needs to show some games and keep selling systems. They are minorly hurt by the HD-DVD news but who knows what will happen.

as far as i am concerned Sony and MS need to do drastic things to win. because everyone seems to casually forget that Nintendo is leading this gen.

[QUOTE="jangojay"][QUOTE="rocktimusprime"]

last stand? this early in the game?

no way, next year definately but they are in no danger of simply falling off the face of the earth and failing. they are in danger of losing 2nd place.

if they don't have a good 08, then 09 is thier last stand.

rocktimusprime

MS is in a really bad position right now from a business stand point. They gotta drop something big this year or sony will win.

because of one bad month?

please.

lets make those judgements when its the end of 08. right now MS just needs to show some games and keep selling systems. They are minorly hurt by the HD-DVD news but who knows what will happen.

as far as i am concerned Sony and MS need to do drastic things to win. because everyone seems to casually forget that Nintendo is leading this gen.

One bad month? Sony is catching up steadily.. it had a bad month in america but world wide the PS3 sold more units that the 360 for 2007 according to info I see here. This isn't just one bad month.... PS3 is surpassing the x360 now because of quite a few things and MS really needs to step up thier game or they can just admit defeat to sony and give up.

sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will losemingo123

the hardware is below expectations though, regardless of games. still mine has never broken, the fact that i've had it for almost a whole 2 months detracts nothing from that

It's time to finish the fight.8)SSCyborg

I was about to post that! ;)

Something for you guys to chew on.

Rumor: 'Totally New' Xbox Live coming?

"We're building the games, the console interface and logic, and the server support for a totally new LIVE experience. Both the games and the dashboard experience will be deeply paired with dynamic server support to create a compelling, fresh scenario each time."

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]It's time to finish the fight.8)II-FBIsniper-II

I was about to post that! ;)

haha pwned

i was hoping nobody posted it before me

sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will losemingo123

X360 superior?? Best?? at what?? It's not graphics, it's not reliability, it's not features, it's not even the best value. And it only has the best game library if you include games from 2005 when PS3 and Wii wasn't around. Games that nobody plays anymore.

Subrosian I agree with you on what M$ has to do, and I think will do, but you make it sound like Sony can't do anything at all.

[QUOTE="mingo123"]sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will loseEmperorSupreme

X360 superior?? Best?? at what?? It's not graphics, it's not reliability, it's not features, it's not even the best value. And it only has the best game library if you include games from 2005 when PS3 and Wii wasn't around. Games that nobody plays anymore.

Great games are the only reason why PS2 won last gen.
It had the worst graphics, reliability, features.
Tell me why we should crown PS2 as the winner of last gen?

What killer game is coming out for the PS3 between now and E3?

Something for you guys to chew on.

Rumor: 'Totally New' Xbox Live coming?

"We're building the games, the console interface and logic, and the server support for a totally new LIVE experience. Both the games and the dashboard experience will be deeply paired with dynamic server support to create a compelling, fresh scenario each time."

MoldOnHold

Translation: Lets take the thing we really have going for us and f**k with it just as the competitor is about to up their game in that area.

Its an interesting idea, but REALLY not the right time to do it.

I doubt they will announce a price cut tomorrow unless its going to be in effect immediately..Why would they risk short-term sales by announcing a price cut tomorrow that will take place months down the line, everyone will just hold off until it happens if not now.

I agree that they need to make GTA4 seem like theirs, they've already stole exclusivity from once-parent console so they need to take advantage of it. Have it marketed as a X360 game rather than a multiplat and taunt us with the GTA4 exclusive episodic content.

As far as XBL goes, I have no clue whats in store, I really hope its not a variant of PSHome, maybe dedicated servers. I know the 360 fanbase deserves that more than any other platform fanbase simply because 360 owners buy and play the most games.

Hmmm, it's February and last time I checked MS is still millions ahead and the Wii is still kicking everyones ass. This is far from a last stand situation. What's with all of the overreacting?heretrix

....No. Wii passed Xbox 360 late last year in overall sales.

And PS3 has been outselling Xbox 360 month by month worldwide since late last year. They just started outselling Xbox 360 in NA, it's best region BY FAR, last month.

[QUOTE="EmperorSupreme"]

[QUOTE="mingo123"]sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will loseJLF1

X360 superior?? Best?? at what?? It's not graphics, it's not reliability, it's not features, it's not even the best value. And it only has the best game library if you include games from 2005 when PS3 and Wii wasn't around. Games that nobody plays anymore.

Great games are the only reason why PS2 won last gen.
It had the worst graphics, reliability, features.
Tell me why we should crown PS2 as the winner of last gen?

Please re-read my statement. I didn't comment on sales or PS2, I'm saying that the X360 is Not "superior" or the "best"

i don't understand how any console can be on its last leg because a competitor slightly outsold it FOR ONE MONTH. get a grip people; no console is going anywhere for awhile.clone01

It's like people have lost all sense of reality. Everything is still so close, yet there are still armchair quarterbacks declaring doom and gloom for all three systems. Once a system starts to juggernaut like the PS2 did last gen in terms of console ratios, then start declaring a winner, but a difference of under 10 million consoles between the three is nothing.

What killer game is coming out for the PS3 between now and E3?

Netherscourge

MGS4 and GTAIV are...

[QUOTE="JLF1"][QUOTE="EmperorSupreme"]

[QUOTE="mingo123"]sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will loseEmperorSupreme

X360 superior?? Best?? at what?? It's not graphics, it's not reliability, it's not features, it's not even the best value. And it only has the best game library if you include games from 2005 when PS3 and Wii wasn't around. Games that nobody plays anymore.

Great games are the only reason why PS2 won last gen.
It had the worst graphics, reliability, features.
Tell me why we should crown PS2 as the winner of last gen?

Please re-read my statement. I didn't comment on sales or PS2, I'm saying that the X360 is Not "superior" or the "best"

Xbox 360 currently is superior in games on consoles the same reason why PS2 was the superior console last gen.

Translation: Lets take the thing we really have going for us and f**k with it just as the competitor is about to up their game in that area.

Its an interesting idea, but REALLY not the right time to do it.

nicenator

they've managed to sell units at a remarkable rate. subrosian

dude thats wii. PS3 is the black one.

Thats just it though. Its not like it was months and months ago, when Home was still early in development, its getting extremely close now. XBL is by far the most solid online service, but Home and in-game xmb combined will most likely equal that if it goes without a hitch. Besides which, the only reason people are so excited for home is because a big deal has been made about it for a while. IMO, it would be far better to let XBL as it is now, make its stand against home. Then, after building up the hype for it, that would be a good time to release this new "online experience".

Microsoft are extremely good with the hype machine, especially when its for thins that matter (Gears, Halo, etc) so releasing something out of the blue like that makes no sense to me.

Last stand?:lol: Talk about jumping the gun prematurely.fakecliche

I remember seeing it around. :P

[QUOTE="Netherscourge"]

What killer game is coming out for the PS3 between now and E3?

Heydanbud92

MGS4 and GTAIV are...

last time i checked 360 had the superior version of GTA4 (i mean the extra episodes). and MGS's release date can be after E3.

Tomorrow Night (Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ) is Microsoft's last stand for the Xbox 360. They will send their LIVE VP, John Schappert, up to the stage to discuss some huge things.

There have been a lot of rumors - LIVE dedicated servers, LIVE overhaul, 3D virtual-world LIVE interface, free LIVE, new 360 SKUs, and a price cut, all floating around. However, what is becoming clear is that something must happen.

-

Sony isn't going to win the war because of Blu-Ray winning the format war, they're not going to win simply because of MGS4, they're not simply going to win because of more reliable hardware. They're going to win because, despite all odds, despite running on hot air and potential for the past year, they've managed to sell units at a remarkable rate. Despite what common sense and the "gamer inside us" would suggest, Sony sells units with nothing going for them. With things actually on their side? They'll tie Microsoft.

It doesn't hurt that Sony sells well in three major markets, whereas Microsoft only sells well in two.

-

What does all this mean?

The GTA IV launch is coming - it's significant - it's one of, if not the, biggest game to drop in a long time. It's a system selling game, a household name, and the turning point (possibly) for the System War. Microsoft has a golden opportunity - a chance to finish off Sony before they get a chance to fully spread their wings. Microsoft can, tomorrow night, make a real announcement - and do *everything* we've heard rumored, and more. They can make the 360 win over the PS3 tomorrow.

The war could literally be over in a one hour keynote.

-

And if it's not? If Microsoft fails to act? We'll spend the next two years watching Sony slowly gain on them until Sony and Microsoft are neck-and-neck, and then watch the PS3 pass the 360 due to superior hardware, features, and international appeal.

Microsoft has one chance tomorrow folks - like it or not, Microsoft is making the call that seals their fate in a little over twenty-four hours. I wish them the best of luck...

subrosian

Here is were I disagree. This war was over before it started. I have been saying this all along that Sony would win in the end and now it's finally coming true. M$ can't win without Japan. Sony pretty much has Europe on lock and Nintendo took it's own path. I know the Wii has the most sales but it still lacks in the games as far as I am concerned.

[QUOTE="mingo123"]sony was gonna win no matter what....but 360 was, is and will be superior and its sad the best will loseEmperorSupreme

X360 superior?? Best?? at what?? It's not graphics, it's not reliability, it's not features, it's not even the best value. And it only has the best game library if you include games from 2005 when PS3 and Wii wasn't around. Games that nobody plays anymore.