No, they are not aggressive. They are just stupid bundles with stupid games with stupid prices for stupid people. Only idiots would by them. It's probably the stupidest thing they have ever done in the entire stupid lifetime of Xbox.
Has Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Xbox One Finally Outmatched Sony PlayStation 4?
- Thread starter starlight777
- Start date
No, they are not aggressive. They are just stupid bundles with stupid games with stupid prices for stupid people. Only idiots would by them. It's probably the stupidest thing they have ever done in the entire stupid lifetime of Xbox.
I bet it hurt a lot of Xbox fans feelings to know that the boss owns a PS4 and Wii U and enjoys them just as much as his Xbox One. If Phil Spencer is saying it, then it's true. I'm surprised people aren't calling for his impeachment after that. I have nothing but respect for that guy. He turned the Xbox brand around and tells it like it is.
I don't really mind rabid fanboys though. It's entertainment at the end of the day. I just think, "Man, that guy's life must be really boring." Then i turn away from the monitor and go back to playing my game. Business as usual. I mean, come on. You're posting on forums on the weekend trying to play up a piece of plastic while the rest of us are out having a social life. Do it Monday through Friday, or not at all preferably, then give it a rest.
That's not what I'm getting at.
It seemed like everyone here expected Microsoft to go nuts with pricing/bundles this holiday season, like they did last holiday season. There was some ridiculous sentiment that MS would allow Sony to take 9 months of the year in NPD sales, but then turn it on in Oct, Nov, and Dec and make up the lost ground.
I'm not saying this isn't going to happen, but these bundles seem pretty tame as of right now.
Looks to me like MS is doing the holidays with the games and the bundles are just a way for users to jump in.
Yeah, not as much of a sure fire way to increase your install base but it will be interesting...
They don't need to drop the price today especially in a month they are going to take regardless.
What does "need" mean?
Microsoft doesn't need the XBox brand. Microsoft doesn't need any exclusives to perform well this holiday season.
I also take issue with your over emphasis on the whole "especially in a month they are going to take regardless".
This isn't Germany taking France in WWII. The mere phraseology is ridiculous. If MS wants to keep pace with Sony's PlayStation 4 in America they're going to need to do something a little more specific than "take" a month or two.
Does MS even need to keep pace with Sony? All they want is to have a nice ROI to report to investors. Pepsi exists fine despite Coke, etc. Is the X1 still not outpacing 360? I bet they are looking at that harder than how they sit with Sony.
I think ad long ad they keep doing what they're doing right now they'll be content.
Great point that I have pushed since the teamxbox days. Unfortunately it will be lost on those with the corporate love/hate being stronger than common sense. Some still believe 2nd place = bankruptcy and 3rd place is a myth.
I thought the bundles last year ramped up from what we traditionally see like right now to insane deal after insane deal week after week.
Totally agreed. Exactly what I said when Xbox fans were claiming the PS3 was an utter failure for not over taking the 360 early on in sales in total (despite selling more worldwide within the same respective time frame).
Right. I've made the same point half a dozen times myself. No shame in being #2, as long as you're a successful #2. The world is full of very successful second-place companies. We put way too much emphasis on being #1 in this country.
Very true.
For more proof of that take a look at this best global brands ranking of 2015.
http://interbrand.com/best-brands/best-global-brands/2015/ranking/
If that doesn't prove that #2's can be just fine, nothing will.
Big differences between #2 in competition of 10s of thousands, vs #2 when there are 2-3 contestents. In a battle, being second best may means you are dead, in business, it could means you lost the deal, in a relationship, it means you lose the girl! (some exaggerated example use but you get the point). Of course being #2 often means you can still co exist with #1 and others, which is the position MS is in.
I am not saying MS position as #2 is bad, just I feel the comparsion of being number 2 must be made with proper context. Comparing being #2 in a competition of 2-3 (if you count WiiU) vs #2 in a market of 10s of thousands is a poor comparsion.
#2 is fine, even in a field of just 2 competitors. Reason being....this isn't a race.
Multiple businesses competing against each other is not the same as a race. In a race, there is a winner, and loser, period. Businesses going up against each other is not a race, because it's not about a winner vs a loser. Both can be winners.
Bottom line, are they pushing their product as intended? If so, win win.
I've use the Mcdonald's, Burger King and Five Guys analogy before. Just because Five Guys doesn't sell nearly as many burgers as the big 2, doesn't make them failures. I lol'd last gen when some at TXB stated the PS3 was an utter failure, and those claiming the XB1 will get the same lol treatment. Sure, it's fun to be part of these discussions for bragging rights, console war fodder, etc....but in all honesty, both consoles are doing great, it's a great time to be a gamer.
Multiple businesses competing against each other is not the same as a race. In a race, there is a winner, and loser, period. Businesses going up against each other is not a race, because it's not about a winner vs a loser. Both can be winners.
Bottom line, are they pushing their product as intended? If so, win win.
I've use the Mcdonald's, Burger King and Five Guys analogy before. Just because Five Guys doesn't sell nearly as many burgers as the big 2, doesn't make them failures. I lol'd last gen when some at TXB stated the PS3 was an utter failure, and those claiming the XB1 will get the same lol treatment. Sure, it's fun to be part of these discussions for bragging rights, console war fodder, etc....but in all honesty, both consoles are doing great, it's a great time to be a gamer.
And that could be a good comparison to Xbox One. I wouldn't call the PS3 a failure but it has to be considered a disappointment.
Is the Xbox brand insignificant at #2 to the point that it's going to have a snowball effect and 3rd party developers will pull away? The OG Xbox had that problem. Nintendo had that problem when they were still competing directly with Sony.
If the answer is no, then #2 is not significant to gamers. Being #2 while being profitable puts gamers in a good spot because the company has the ability to re-invest and the incentive to do so when they're leaving money on the table. There's no reason to take their foot off the gas. Sony is taking their foot off the gas. They don't see the reason to invest in too many expensive franchises. They've admitted as much.
If the answer is no, then #2 is not significant to gamers. Being #2 while being profitable puts gamers in a good spot because the company has the ability to re-invest and the incentive to do so when they're leaving money on the table. There's no reason to take their foot off the gas. Sony is taking their foot off the gas. They don't see the reason to invest in too many expensive franchises. They've admitted as much.
The only time being #2 really matters concerning consoles is when you visit forums like these. Those who dont visit forums probably dont care which place their investment is placed in the console wars.
However, if you do visit gaming forums, then the games on tap (AAA exclusives, 3rd party and indies) dictate what spot your investment hovers at, in my opinion. Sales are one thing. Which platform offers more gaming and exclusive experiences is another matter.