12-04-2005 09:15									#31
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by Gamecube64 I don't need music or dvd players in my game system.

Which is fine, but I've no doubt in my mind that the lack of these type of things is one reason the Gamecube is in third place.

The definition of game console has changed to become more of an entertainment console, and Nintendo was stuck with their mantra "it's all about the games!" Little did they know that when you get the games (and a lot more of these games, mind you), plus other stuff, it makes Nintendo's platform look like a "cheap" alternative to real entertainment. I won't even mention the stupidity behind the castrated game media -- the entire purpose of these was to prevent piracy. To prevent piracy (read: earn more profit) the Gamecube is limited to 1.8GB discs instead of the 9GB the PS2 and Xbox enjoy. The FMV on gamecube are compressed more and textures frequently also lower res. Further, it costs more per unit to make, since they're not mass produced ala DVDs. They even have lower transfer rates than the Xbox or even PS2.

The low pricepoint actually hurt Nintendo more than helped IMO, it cemented Nintendo's image as a cheaper kiddy console.

quote: It will use a system like X-Box live, except hopefully free.

MS still lost money on Xbox Live, even with the subscription. It costs a lot to have that infrastructure and develop those SDKs and networks the way they have. And given how stingy Nintendo is, there's no way in hell it'll be free.

And a little "me too" from Nintendo on online gaming like Xbox Live is 4 years too late. MS has a 4-year head start and experience on them, Nintendo's late to the game.

	12-04-2005 09:39									#32
	Increase Your PM Length

It's not really going to be called Xbox 360, is it? That's totally gay...

	12-04-2005 09:41									#33
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quote: Originally posted by Drake Tungsten It's not really going to be called Xbox 360, is it? That's totally gay...

What's wrong with being homosexual?

	12-04-2005 09:46									#34
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I never said it was a bad thing; just pointing out that "Xbox 360" is not the most butch name. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

	12-04-2005 10:00									#35
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I honestly don't think it's going to be called Xbox 360.

It and about 3-4 other names were trademarked by Microsoft a while ago.

It could just be the name of a marketing campaign, or peripheral, or software, etc.

	12-04-2005 10:07									#36
	Increase Your PM Length

I heard somewhere that Xbox 360 was going to be the name of the updated Xbox live service. If that's true, it isn't such a bad name, but for the console itself...

They should just call it the "Sex Box" like everyone I know.

	12-04-2005 10:12									#37
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quote: Originally posted by Drake Tungsten I never said it was a bad thing; just pointing out that "Xbox 360" is not the most butch name.

Butch is most certainly a word associated with Lesbians

	12-04-2005 10:15									#38
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

Thanks for the news flash.

	12-04-2005 10:48									#39
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quote: Originally posted by Lord Nuclear What's wrong with being homosexual?

It's a pain in the ass.

Seriously, the more features the better if they can keep the cost down. I haven't bought a game system since the original Nintendo back in the late 80's so I'm not their target audience but even I can see why it's good to support media because it lets parents say "well maybe I can use this thing for something I like and it's not just for kids". True quality of sound probably doesn't equal a high end audio system but most of the people buying these are probably young couples with small children. I could be wrong about that since there seem to be a lot of 20-30 somethings who never grew up but those people have the extra disposable income to pay $50 more for a convergence device so what does it matter?

	12-04-2005 11:59									#40
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quote: Originally posted by Asher Nintendo got burned listening to people like you, and they'll probably get burned again. They're out of touch with the reality of what most consumers want.

Wait, are these the same people who don't know how to program their VCR/DVD clocks? Last time I checked, *they* by and far were the largest bloc of users.

Gatekeeper

	12-04-2005 16:38									#41
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quote: Originally posted by Gatekeeper Wait, are these the same people who don't know how to program their VCR/DVD clocks? Last time I checked, *they* by and far were the largest bloc of users. Gatekeeper

Yep, which is why they prefer needing to know how to operate a smaller number of devices.

	12-04-2005 19:06									#42
	Increase the size of your Attachments

I wish the mainstream would forget about games, so that game companies would cater to grognards instead of college layabouts again. Consoles should be outlawed.

	12-04-2005 20:04									#43
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark folks who post game related news in OT vs Other Games spammers. +1 vs +0

umm I almost never post or even visit the other games forum...

	13-04-2005 00:57									#44
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Btw, Asher, Goldman Sachs is predicting a $250-$300 introductory price, just as I am. I'm keeping in mind what you said in a previous thread...

quote: Originally posted by Asher People said $299 was way too much as well. What exactly do you know about the console market? Nintendo tried your brilliant strategy, it failed miserably. Gamers equate cheaper to...cheaper. Sub-par. It is in MS' best interest to pricematch Sony to position themselves as a direct competitor, and an alternative.

And Sony's going to freak at having to introduce their machine at that price. Sony's cash on hand = $2 billion. M$'s cash on hand = $35 billion.

	13-04-2005 01:18									#45
	Remove this text

Sony will pricematch MS at $299 if MS does that.

Nintendo's will also be $299 if MS does it.

Mark my words.

	13-04-2005 01:28									#46
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I'd introduce it at $250, if I were M$. I'd be taking a bath on the first several million units, but I would be playing for keeps in this market. I don't know how Sony or Nintendo could match that price.

	13-04-2005 02:02									#47
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Won't happen.

Again, the lower pricepoint didn't do much for Nintendo (it hurt them IMO), and the lower pricepoint would hurt MS as well.

The economical difference to people's pockets between $250 and $299 isn't that much, but when you do it on a scale of 3M units it adds up -- it also cements the "inferiority" complex -- BMWs cost more than Fords, PS3s cost morethan Xbox2s...?

	13-04-2005 02:17									#48
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quote: Originally posted by Asher Won't happen. Again, the lower pricepoint didn't do much for Nintendo (it hurt them IMO), and the lower pricepoint would hurt MS as well. The economical difference to people's pockets between $250 and $299 isn't that much, but when you do it on a scale of 3M units it adds up -- it also cements the "inferiority" complex -- BMWs cost more than Fords, PS3s cost morethan Xbox2s...?

Deloreans cost more than BMW's, Macs cost more than Wintel boxes .....

	13-04-2005 04:00									#49
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quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark Macs cost more than Wintel boxes .....

Proving Asher's opinion...

	13-04-2005 04:11									#50
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quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark Deloreans cost more than BMW's, Macs cost more than Wintel boxes .....

The problem here is it fails on the grounds that they all don't have an "even footing" like the launch of a new console.

PCs have more software than Macs so that's not a valid comparison (though most Mac users do believe they are buying higher quality products than PCs, even though Acer makes the PowerBooks, for example).

And I would definitely get a Delorean over a BMW.

	13-04-2005 04:11									#51
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I don't understand what selling the units at a loss does for MS. If they still haven't made any money on Xbox 1, then what's the point?

	13-04-2005 04:13									#52
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quote: Originally posted by Dissident I don't understand what selling the units at a loss does for MS. If they still haven't made any money on Xbox 1, then what's the point?

To avoid a Sony monopoly.

	13-04-2005 04:14									#53
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what difference does that make if they aren't making any money?

who cares if Sony is a monopoly on the console market?

	13-04-2005 04:25									#54
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quote: Originally posted by Dissident what difference does that make if they aren't making any money? who cares if Sony is a monopoly on the console market?

The console market is expanding into the "computer in the living room" market.

MS doesn't want Sony to have a monopoly on that, since that market is booming, while MS is relegated to the office.

The Xbox is a counter to Sony's goal.

If you look at some of MS' products (Media PC, set-top boxes, etc), and the directions the consoles are taking, you see some convergence.

The Xbox(1) was to establish a foot in the market to prevent Sony's monopoly (because it was obvious they would crush Nintendo).

	13-04-2005 04:32									#55
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quote: Originally posted by Dissident I don't understand what selling the units at a loss does for MS. If they still haven't made any money on Xbox 1, then what's the point?

Market share and they're likely hoping to make money on royalties from software makers and online game time which people will pay for. It's like Ford selling their Model T at a loss so they could make money selling parts. It actually works.

	13-04-2005 04:35									#56
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I believe Nintendo is number two on the world market with Sony being number one. Unless you include handhelds, which would be enough alone to make Nintendo numero uno. So X-Box did not "crush" Nintendo. X-Box failed horribly in Japan (Which is a bigger market for Nintendo than PS, IIRC), and I'm pretty sure it was similar, but not as bad, in Europe. Gamecube comparatively did much better in America than X-Box did in Japan.

I do like the X-Box (but not Halo 1/2, they pale compared the top computer shooters, and the Time Splitters series).

	13-04-2005 04:38									#57
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quote: Originally posted by Gamecube64 I believe Nintendo is number two on the world market with Sony being number one. Unless you include handhelds, which would be enough alone to make Nintendo numero uno. So X-Box did not "crush" Nintendo. X-Box failed horribly in Japan (Which is a bigger market for Nintendo than PS, IIRC), and I'm pretty sure it was similar, but not as bad, in Europe. Gamecube comparatively did much better in America than X-Box did in Japan. I do like the X-Box (but not Halo 1/2, they pale compared the top computer shooters, and the Time Splitters series).

I'm pretty sure Xbox is now number two.

	13-04-2005 04:41									#58
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Gamecube holds a 36% market share, I don't remember but sony can't be below 40%.

	13-04-2005 07:06									#59
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Back in '03 Xbox had 27%.

	13-04-2005 07:14									#60
	Got spare money?

I know many people who have multiple consols..

JM