Xbox 360 Glory Days Are OVER! (Article)

This week's price cuts are too little too late to save the Xbox 360, says Nathan Taylor. The 360 glory days may be over, with only Fable 2 up its sleeve and Blu-Ray scoring wins for the PS3.

Microsoft has a lot to worry about these days. It's frustrated by it's inability to crack Google, or buy anybody else who might; people are hating Vista, and the life of Windows XP keeps getting extended; it's actually having to compete with Linux on the desktop, and now on the mobile as well; and it's console, once the market leader, seems to be slowly fading away.

Its latest announcement is clearly designed to stave off the latter. It may be too little too late, but Microsoft just announced a new round of price cuts for the Xbox 360, making the cheapest version of the console, the hard disk-less Arcade, $50 cheaper than the Wii.

It's now just $349, half the price of the PlayStation 3, and some retailers are selling it for considerably less than that. The 20GB version of the Xbox 360 has also been cut, from $579 to $499 and the 120GB Elite has dropped from $729 to $649. I don't think it will be enough to save the Xbox 360.

It's funny how this generation of game consoles panned out. Most analysts had figured that the PlayStation 3 would sell the most, followed by the Xbox 360, with the Nintendo Wii trailing up the rear. Turns out the opposite of that happened.

The Wii continues to dominate sales, the Xbox 360 has killed the PS3 in terms of market share (so far) and the PS3 proved too expensive for most buyers, especially before Blu-ray had officially won the format war. Of course, now that Blu-ray has won, and the PS3 remains the best and most affordable Blu-ray player on the market, sales of the PS3 are really starting to take off.

Now the Xbox 360 has a strong established user base and a very high attach rate compared to the other consoles (the attach rate is the number of games sold per console), but it's struggling to maintain momentum, especially after it expended its big gun: Halo 3. It has Fable 2 coming out later this year, which should give it a boost, but apart from that the console has very little steam left.

I imagine that the Microsoft brain's trust is already thinking about upping the announcement date of the next version of the Xbox 360.

They're also probably thinking that their relentless focus on one-upping Sony with meaningless processor performance numbers was a mistake. Nintendo got in under that radar because it made gaming fun, and you can bet dollars to donuts that the next Xbox version will have a motion sensing controller and a host of family-friendly games, not just first person shooters.

Microsoft might also think about making more of Xbox Live, which has tremendous potential, but has been sadly left to lie fallow, especially in Australia and other non-US territories. In short, it's going to have to kick ass to make an impact on the next generation, and saying that the console has more power than a supercomputer just isn't going to cut it.

http://www.pcauthority.com.au/BlogEntry/115753,the-xbox-360-glory-days-are-over.aspx

"This week's price cuts are too little too late to save the Xbox 360, says Nathan Taylor. The 360 glory days may be over, with only Fable 2 up its sleeve and Blu-Ray scoring wins for the PS3"

im sorry,but what on earth is this guy talking about here? fable 2 is the only thing the 360 has to offer?

Great lol of China!

Just because an article is on the interwebs doesn't mean it's a) credible or b) good.

PS3 outsold the 360 WW in 2007,........bobaban

[QUOTE="bobaban"]PS3 outsold the 360 WW in 2007,........ReturnOfShinobi

yup..infact..the 360 died the instant the ps3 started outselling it.

nevermind the Wii..sales don't matter when it's involved :roll:

[QUOTE="ReturnOfShinobi"][QUOTE="bobaban"]PS3 outsold the 360 WW in 2007,........lawlessx

yup..infact..the 360 died the instant the ps3 started outselling it.

nevermind the Wii..sales don't matter when it's involved :roll:

PS3 outsold the 360 WW in 2007,........bobaban

ps3 shipped more worldwide in 07.

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

PS3 has been continuously outselling the 360 with a without games. Thats the funny part. MS was foolish to even think they had a leg up on Sony. The only thing they had was a year's head start. And thats turning more into a blunder than it already is. True-Legend86

PS3 has been continuously outselling the 360 with a without games. Thats the funny part. MS was foolish to even think they had a leg up on Sony. The only thing they had was a year's head start. And thats turning more into a blunder than it already is. True-Legend86

..that one just really cracks me up :lol:

one of the reasons why the 360 is getting TOV and SO4(exclusive or timed exclusive) is because the developers got the 360 dev kits very early. so what issues (besides RROD) can you think of that the 360's headstart is to blame?

New xbox probably comes out 2010, along with nintendo read that sony doenst plan to release a new system till around 2012. (gameinformer)

The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.XenogearsMaster

yup..the instant the 360 gets in 3rd microsoft will drop support for it and wont even bother with they're next xbox.

seriously..are you for real?

The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.XenogearsMaster

then MS will announce the next XBox and lems can cheer it on as it gets a head start on PS4. We will relive the glory days in another gen!

lol that writer never stop does he? he always bashes the 360 everyone month.LibertySaint

really? got any links to his past work?

The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.XenogearsMaster

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.JakeTD21

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

the ps3 is going to overtake the 360 in 2007...oh wait..i mean 2008 :roll:

New xbox probably comes out 2010, along with nintendo read that sony doenst plan to release a new system till around 2012. (gameinformer)

bam706

I hope not...feels like the ps3 and Wii only came out only recently

[QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.lawlessx

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

the ps3 is going to overtake the 360 in 2007...oh wait..i mean 2008 :roll:

No, 2009 FACT. See i have a crystal ball.

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.JakeTD21

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes, the 360 is 6 million ahead but it's also 1 year older LOL

[QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.pspdseagle

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes, the 360 is 6 million ahead but it's also 1 year older LOL

And it will always be one year older. The 360 isn't going to take a break for a year and let the PS3 catch up with its age. How long the 360 has been out is irrelevant.

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

pspdseagle

Logic of a 6-year boy =/= reality.

First: No console (better said, no product on the market) follows such a lineal sell projection.

Second: The PS3 sold over 10 M in its first year, no 14.

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.-GhostMLD-

then MS will announce the next XBox and lems can cheer it on as it gets a head start on PS4. We will relive the glory days in another gen!

Maybe this time they won't rush it out with hardware defects

:roll:

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.JakeTD21

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

"The 20GB version of the Xbox 360 has also been cut, from $579 to $499."

What? Last time I checked they are $349.

[QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.bam706

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

[QUOTE="pspdseagle"]

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

IronBass

Logic of a 6-year boy =/= reality.

First: No console (better said, no product on the market) follows such a lineal sell projection.

Second: The PS3 sold over 10 M in its first year, no 14.

Yes, it won't be linear as gaming always grows and the PS3 will get more people with cheaper prices, updates, exclusives,HOME, and the PS2 people moving on.

Oh ya so PS3 got 10 million in a year and the 360 got 15 million ia 2 years. BIG DIFFERENCE:roll:

[QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.JakeTD21

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

[QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.JakeTD21

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

And that also doesn't change the fact that the 360 is FAR for being dead: Gears 2, Banjo, Halo Wars, The Last Remnant (timed exclusive), Infinite Undescover, Star Ocean, Fable 2, Too Human, Forza 3 (later), and Mass Effect 2/3, Splinter Cell Conviction, Next Bungie project and more. and tons of great multiplats like RE5, Fallout 3, etc. Enough to have every 360 owner happy and to call new public. Add to that all the excellent games that already came out (you know, Halo 3, Gears, ME etc).

[QUOTE="IronBass"][QUOTE="pspdseagle"]

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

pspdseagle

Logic of a 6-year boy =/= reality.

First: No console (better said, no product on the market) follows such a lineal sell projection.

Second: The PS3 sold over 10 M in its first year, no 14.

Yes, it won't be linear as gaming always grows and the PS3 will get more people with cheaper prices, updates, exclusives,HOME, and the PS2 people moving on.

Oh ya so PS3 got 10 million in a year and the 360 got 15 million ia 2 years. BIG DIFFERENCE:roll:

Home, lol. Also its more like 14 million and 20 million (rounded)

[QUOTE="JakeTD21"][QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]bam706

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

and once again...this is assuming 360 will stop selling all together

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

pspdseagle

Your facts are way off. I'm only going with vgchartz for total sales, but they claim that the 360 has sold 19.54 million so far and that the PS3 has sold 13.84 million. Also, we're a 1 2/3 years into the PS3's life so your 14 million/year number is wrong.

So sad that you have to pad your facts like this to make your system seem like its dominating. Take pleasure in the fact that it is selling better than the 360 right now. Don't resort to making up stuff like this.

[QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"][QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]lawlessx

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

and once again...this is assuming 360 will stop selling all together

[QUOTE="IronBass"][QUOTE="pspdseagle"]

Crap Article!

This is the order:

1.Wii

2.PS3

3.Xbox 360

# of Xbox 360's sold in 2 years=19 million

# of PS3's sold in 1 year=14 million * 2 = 28 million

Clearly PS3 is second

pspdseagle

Logic of a 6-year boy =/= reality.

First: No console (better said, no product on the market) follows such a lineal sell projection.

Second: The PS3 sold over 10 M in its first year, no 14.

Yes, it won't be linear as gaming always grows and the PS3 will get more people with cheaper prices, updates, exclusives,HOME, and the PS2 people moving on.

That's speculation. If it doesn't cut the price soon? If more updates doesn't come soon? HOME is still being delayed.. if the PS2 people already moved to the 360/Wii? How are you sure they will move to the PS3? Show me a prove.

Oh ya so PS3 got 10 million in a year and the 360 got 15 million ia 2 years. BIG DIFFERENCE:roll:

That means that the PS3 has sells a little (yes, a little, average 20-30 k pero month) faster than the 360. That for the suposted "most powerful company in gaming" is quite humillating.

At that rate the PS3 will need around 3 years to catch (just to catch) the 360, so by any means "second". Damage control failed.

[QUOTE="JakeTD21"][QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]The 360 is eventually going to be 3rd place. No doubt about it so it will be over for it soon.IronBass

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

And that also doesn't change the fact that the 360 is FAR for being dead: Gears 2, Banjo, Halo Wars, The Last Remnant (timed exclusive), Infinite Undescover, Star Ocean, Fable 2, Too Human, Forza 3 (later), and Mass Effect 2/3, Splinter Cell Conviction, Next Bungie project and more. and tons of great multiplats like RE5, Fallout 3, etc. Enough to have every 360 owner happy and to call new public. Add to that all the excellent games that already came out (you know, Halo 3, Gears, ME etc).

[QUOTE="lawlessx"][QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"][QUOTE="bam706"][QUOTE="JakeTD21"]

[QUOTE="XenogearsMaster"]bam706

How is there no doubt about it? The 360 is 6 million ahead of the PS3. I'm not sure how that is guaranteed 2nd place for the PS3.

Yes they did have a year head start. That does not change the fact that the PS3 is 6 million behind the 360.

and once again...this is assuming 360 will stop selling all together

It outselling in average of 20-30 k/week, so, at that rate, it will need 3 years just to catch the 360.