Xbox 360: How to win 2008.

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

Get Rare to release Banjo-Threeie already.BreakingPoint8

I wholeheartedly agree.

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]Get Rare to release Banjo-Threeie already.ZeldaMaster32

I wholeheartedly agree.

Theres just 1 easy step to win 2008.

Drop Arcade to 150$, Premium to 200$ and Elite to 250$. They do that at the start of the holiday buying season and they'll get more sales than the ps3. As for the Wii, its a lost battle, they're never beat that.

[QUOTE="ZeldaMaster32"]

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]Get Rare to release Banjo-Threeie already.BreakingPoint8

I wholeheartedly agree.

Yeah I know. Just felt like putting my personal input in there.

And honestly, to compete in 2008, the 360 needs to diversify its library with numerous titles in a specific genre and land huge, megaton exclusives.

I'd also like to see better reliability as well, definitely.

The Wii will win 2008 so MS must do something to stop the growing PS3 momentum (especialy in PAL regions).Nintendo_Man

Europe will be the strongest territory for Sony this generation, Microsoft needs to hold it's ground there by marketing the console aggressively and reducing the price of the console and accessory's lower then NA and Japan if necessary.

Japan is a lost cause this generation, what they can do to set themselves apart from the Playstation 3 and Wii would be, I know it sounds crazy, but aggressively marketing Western titles in the region.

I don't buy the excuse that Japanese gamers won't go for Western games, it's all in advertising and word of mouth.

I'm not saying abandon Japanese oriented games, but mixing it up with Western and local titles like Blue Dragon and let's say Mass Effect would really set them apart from the crowd, instead of being this wannabe Japanese friendly console.

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

BreakingPoint8

So actually what you say is Xbox needs to become a cheaper PS3....

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"][QUOTE="ZeldaMaster32"]

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]Get Rare to release Banjo-Threeie already.ZeldaMaster32

I wholeheartedly agree.

Yeah I know. Just felt like putting my personal input in there.

And honestly, to compete in 2008, the 360 needs to diversify its library with numerous titles in a specific genre and land huge, megaton exclusives.

I'd also like to see better reliability as well, definitely.

But so far their 2008 line-up is looking not only way more diverse, but all around better then 2007,

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

NielsNL

So actually what you say is Xbox needs to become a cheaper PS3....

Isn't it kinda late to be copying your competitor? I think a price drop could help a little bit, but there isn't much going for the 360 in 2008.dream431ca

I'm not saying throw in that stuff, I'm saying lower the prices of it, there's a difference. It would obviously help alot more than "a little bit".

There's alot going for the Xbox 360 in 2008, unless you're biased against the console and it's games.

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

BreakingPoint8

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

micky4889

What does that have to do with the post anyway, I said it's something that needs to be done I wasn't asking about the Playstation 3.

[QUOTE="dream431ca"]Isn't it kinda late to be copying your competitor? I think a price drop could help a little bit, but there isn't much going for the 360 in 2008.BreakingPoint8

I'm not saying throw in that stuff, I'm saying lower the prices of it, there's a difference. It would obviously help alot more than "a little bit".

There's alot going for the Xbox 360 in 2008, unless you're biased against the console and it's games.

I'm not saying it's original to the company (Sony), but it seems kinda late. Although the 360 has a pretty decent line up of games in 2008 (but no where near it's 2007 line up), it could still do pretty good.

What the PS3 has going for it is the major exclusives this year and lets face it: Blu-ray. Blu-ray might not be a "gaming" factor (although it could in the future), people are buying the PS3 just for a Blu-ray player and considering Blu-ray is doing very well, the 360 has quite the fight on it's hands this year.

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]

[QUOTE="dream431ca"]Isn't it kinda late to be copying your competitor? I think a price drop could help a little bit, but there isn't much going for the 360 in 2008.dream431ca

I'm not saying throw in that stuff, I'm saying lower the prices of it, there's a difference. It would obviously help alot more than "a little bit".

There's alot going for the Xbox 360 in 2008, unless you're biased against the console and it's games.

I'm not saying it's original to the company (Sony), but it seems kinda late. Although the 360 has a pretty decent line up of games in 2008 (but no where near it's 2007 line up), it could still do pretty good.

What the PS3 has going for it is the major exclusives this year and lets face it: Blu-ray. Blu-ray might not be a "gaming" factor (although it could in the future), people are buying the PS3 just for a Blu-ray player and considering Blu-ray is doing very well, the 360 has quite the fight on it's hands this year.

[QUOTE="dream431ca"][QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]

[QUOTE="dream431ca"]Isn't it kinda late to be copying your competitor? I think a price drop could help a little bit, but there isn't much going for the 360 in 2008.BreakingPoint8

I'm not saying throw in that stuff, I'm saying lower the prices of it, there's a difference. It would obviously help alot more than "a little bit".

There's alot going for the Xbox 360 in 2008, unless you're biased against the console and it's games.

I'm not saying it's original to the company (Sony), but it seems kinda late. Although the 360 has a pretty decent line up of games in 2008 (but no where near it's 2007 line up), it could still do pretty good.

What the PS3 has going for it is the major exclusives this year and lets face it: Blu-ray. Blu-ray might not be a "gaming" factor (although it could in the future), people are buying the PS3 just for a Blu-ray player and considering Blu-ray is doing very well, the 360 has quite the fight on it's hands this year.

Well, I already have a 360, but if I didn't a price drop wouldn't matter to much right now. My 2 main concerns would be the hardware reliablility and the online. Free online would be great. Also the hardware is not very good since there are so many RROD's out there (I was a victim already). Those 2 issues need to be addressed. Price doesn't really matter as long as you got a product that works very well without any problems and has everything you need built in to the system to get the maximum functionality out of the system. That's why I didn't mind paying $600 for a 60 gig PS3 when it first came out.

Theres just 1 easy step to win 2008.

Drop Arcade to 150$, Premium to 200$ and Elite to 250$. They do that at the start of the holiday buying season and they'll get more sales than the ps3. As for the Wii, its a lost battle, they're never beat that.

whocares4peace

Although I think the price drop is the only one of the list that will happen, no way in hell they will drop it by that much. Also, I think it's going to come far into the year.

So, in order to "win" 2008, Microsoft essentially needs to shave $150+ off the price (price drop + one year of LIVE)? subrosian

The Xbox 360 had the most critically acclaimed line up of games last year but it didn't do enough to push them past their 2006 sales.

[QUOTE="subrosian"]So, in order to "win" 2008, Microsoft essentially needs to shave $150+ off the price (price drop + one year of LIVE)? BreakingPoint8

Well, in Microsoft's eyes "victory" is really defined as profit. I'm going to hazard a guess and say that removing the $50 fee that millions of LIVE gamers pay each year, along with a $100 price drop (and price cuts on accessories to match) would work against that goal.

I'd expect another $50 price cut perhaps before GTA IV (should Sony price cut) - but both MS and Sony are going to be hesistant to really get into the price war.

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]

[QUOTE="subrosian"]So, in order to "win" 2008, Microsoft essentially needs to shave $150+ off the price (price drop + one year of LIVE)? subrosian

Well, in Microsoft's eyes "victory" is really defined as profit. I'm going to hazard a guess and say that removing the $50 fee that millions of LIVE gamers pay each year, along with a $100 price drop (and price cuts on accessories to match) would work against that goal.

I'd expect another $50 price cut perhaps before GTA IV (should Sony price cut) - but both MS and Sony are going to be hesistant to really get into the price war.

But as I said, by making Xbox Live free they'll be opening up new windows of opportunity and countering the threat of PSN becoming the preeminent console online service.

M$ is facing a three-front battle here

SONY

RRoD (themself)

Blu-ray

it would be ask for 360 now to win the consol war .

Reliability is priority number one imo.

Second, they need to drop the price.

Third, show us some new games in development. What's going on from 08 onward?

even if they manage all of that, i still don't see it beating the wii.CaseyWegner

Many dont include them in the war,Nintendo seems to be running its own race as usual

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]even if they manage all of that, i still don't see it beating the wii.ukillwegrill

Many dont include them in the war,Nintendo seems to be running its own race as usual

that's because they are winning. afterall, second place becomes first place that way. :?

[QUOTE="ZeldaMaster32"]

[QUOTE="BreakingPoint8"]Get Rare to release Banjo-Threeie already.BreakingPoint8

I wholeheartedly agree.

Microsoft needs to do three things in 2008 to ensure more gamers "Jump In".

1. Ensure all new hardware is reliable. The estimated 25-33% failure rate is not only unacceptable, it's also holding back would-be buyers from purchasing the console as evidenced by the dwindling hardware sales of 2007.

2. Microsoft needs to reevaluate the pricing for their entire hardware line-up since they're competing with the Playstation 3. Lower the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade($279), Premium($349) and Elite($449) by $100 dollars each.

The Xbox 360 is lacking a high-definition movie player($179, not needed really.), wireless adapter($99, price needs to be cut atleast in half.) and free online gaming($50 a year) which is all standard in the $399 Playstation 3. Because of this it lacks the value that comes with buying the Playstation 3, lowering the price of the consoles as well as accessory's will remedy this poor position that they're in.

3. Last but not least, Microsoft needs to make Xbox Live free. If they establish an Xbox Live style version of Myspace for gamers and make it free for all users it'll be huge and could be the casual push they need to best the Wii in America. Not to mention the advertisements they'll gain will produce more revenue then charging for gold accounts.

- So, what say you System Wars, if you haven't already purchased an Xbox 360, would this make you want to Jump In?

BreakingPoint8

1. RROD already did its damage. If MS somehow fixes it by the time the consumers are aware of it they would have already caved into Sonys exclusive 08 line up or GTA on the PS3 to avoid RROD.

2. Pricing is not as beneficial for MS as you think. In 07 it was already cheaper then the PS3 and still had a price drop yet that didnt help it. It still undersold the PS3 and decreased overall sales by 18% from its first year.

3. Live free just wont happen.

Lets put it like this in 07 it had a price drop remained cheaper then the PS3 had its biggest franchises released during the shopping season and it still sold less then the PS3 and less then its first year by 18%.

Yeah I agree with you on most of your pionts.

Their losing lots of money on the RROD (billion) and they still haven't fixed the problem ( my friends RROD last night while playing Eternal Sonata don't know if his was a new Sku or not )

The reality is that they wont do a price drop soon, their SKUs are selling well and don't need a price drop, If they did I would buy one immediatly. Maybe one towards end of the year or next year.

They are still in the red in thier gaming division I read.

Making live free would help a bunch, Its one of the reasons I bought a PS3, but if people are paying why make it free.

You have good points but the reality of them happening is slimmer and slimmer if people are still paying the current price.