Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

[TIm]

As you all know, The Ps3 and the WII are coming out in November. With that said what do you think Microsofts strategy should be going into the launch of the other consoles? Give us your thoughts on what should happen.

Most of the people say the 360 should drop the price. I do agree with this but not drop it that much. My idea would be to drop the 360 price to 360.00. That's a 40.00 drop....Most people said drop it 50.00 however, I think with the extra ten dollars they should drop the games to 52.99 or around there. So not only did you drop the system you drop the price of games. Really the 360 will not be competing with the wii only the Ps3. The wii would be cheap enough. So with that said, what would your scenario be?

[mizzta21]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

As you all know, The Ps3 and the WII are coming out in November. With that said what do you think Microsofts strategy should be going into the launch of the other consoles? Give us your thoughts on what should happen.

Most of the people say the 360 should drop the price. I do agree with this but not drop it that much. My idea would be to drop the 360 price to 360.00. That's a 40.00 drop....Most people said drop it 50.00 however, I think with the extra ten dollars they should drop the games to 52.99 or around there. So not only did you drop the system you drop the price of games. Really the 360 will not be competing with the wii only the Ps3. The wii would be cheap enough. So with that said, what would your scenario be?

Free 1 year warranties at LEAST!

[Rodster]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

Until Sony drops the price of it's machine or offers an online service comparable to Live for free, MS doesn't need to change their plan at all and there's no reason to. The time we'll probably see a price break is next E3 when the 360's will have the newer version CPU's, which cost MS less money to produce and run cooler.

Heck Sony is even hinting of selling games over $60. I bet MS sent a big thank you letter to Sony.

[TIm]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

I agree they don't need to change the price. But just think of what that would mean. Ps3 599 or Xbox360 360.00


Ps3 games 59.99 to 69.99
Xbox360 52.99

Besides there are still people who don't have the 360 that are waiting on a price drop in order to get one. Just in time for christmas a parent walks in and sees 670.00 for console and game and they keep looking and see a 360 and a game for 412.99. That would look good for the 360.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

I don't think MS needs to lower the price. They are heading into the Fall season with some nice sales numbers. Also, their library of games is going to get a big boost this fall. Couple that with the excellent Xbox Live service, and you have a strong presence ready for the release of Wii and PS3.

It will be interesting to see how well Sony's name carries over. The PS2 has had an excellent life span, will that reputation merit $600?

[Dondadda]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

(1) Free 1 year warranty

(2) NFL 2K5 backwards compatible

(3) Price drop either on console, or eliminate Live fee - M$ is going to get trounced by PS3's free online service if they keep trying to charge for theirs.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

When it comes to games, Microsoft can only dictate the price of 1st party games(In-House developed games) 3rd Party Developer's set their own price.

I really don't think Microsoft will price drop to combat both WII & PS3 releasing. I would expect them to have some nicely priced bundles with some nice goodies inside..

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

(1) Free 1 year warranty

(2) NFL 2K5 backwards compatible

(3) Price drop either on console, or eliminate Live fee - M$ is going to get trounced by PS3's free online service if they keep trying to charge for theirs.

1. Having nfl2k5 compatable won't do anything for sales
2. Xbox live didn't get trounced by sony's free service last time and it won't happen this time.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

They don't need to do anything this fall.

Sony will sell out their units no matter what, and they will have launch problems and trouble keeping stores in stock. That's a sure thing, it always happens at console launches.

MS can reap in a lot of sales just because of that. With the game line up planned, they will probally not drop price until the Spring when they get the new X360 chip out that is cheaper to produce. By that time Sony's production/shipping will have ramped up and MS can counter with a price drop, something Sony won't be able to do financially for alteast a year.

[goh]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

I think it depends how long Sony continues to **** up. System price is too high,game price rumors are way too high,lots of apprent technical problems both with the system and for devs trying to make games and the rumor about no rentals or used games. Microsoft might be able to throw more dirt on the grave though may not need to but of course the uninformed consumer going just by the Playstation name and fanboys/girls will still buy it no matter what.

[Behindshadows]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

Microsoft doesn't need to drop their price, thats for certain.

As far as the warranty is concerned, I mean you get a 2 year warranty for $60 in the box, thats worth it.

If anything should be lowered it should be XBL....to probably 13months for 39.99. That would be nice, because Marketplace offers alot, and they do random updates and add-ons to the dashboard for free. So thats still reasonable and worth paying for.

Only strategy that microsoft can implement, is to stop holding off on great titles and just release stuff, and stop trying to counter sony's and nintendo's consoles.

Like someone stated the PS3 will sell, because you have people who will cough up $600 no matter what and the Nintendo will sell as well just off the name.

So far, if you ask me...Microsoft will be #1 no matter what Sony and Nintendo has to offer, Microsoft didn't launch with any strikes against them, as Sony is and so is Nintendo....only flaw M$ had was shortages and a couple of over heating problems, in which Sony will have as well except at a higher cost.

And Nintendo, well they aren't Next-Gen so who cares and with all the care bear games titles. If your not 12, it shouldn't even be considered competition.

Microsoft's Gameplan should be keep doing what your doing, and just continue to drop out good games, except at a faster pace....

[HMcCoy]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

Madden bundle with premium 360, Madden 07', Madden skin/faceplate, limited edition Madden controller, and free 1 month Gold subcription. Kick off the marketing with a 1,000,000 prize Madden XBL tournament on whatever day the Playstation drops.

You could do the same thing with GOW including the faceplate, controller skin and cash prize online competition, and I daresay a Saints Row bundle would be just as effective a system-seller as Madden or GOW...

MS is in a good position with the hardcore community, but Johnny Casual still doesn't know about the sheer number of games coming out for the 360, or that games are dropping like flies off the PS3. MS can't rest on this good start...they still need something big to get the attention of the masses.

[Dondadda]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

1. Having nfl2k5 compatable won't do anything for sales
2. Xbox live didn't get trounced by sony's free service last time and it won't happen this time.

(1) NFL 2K5 will have a small influence on sales. I know of dozens of gamers who are holding off on a 360 until it becomes BC. If I know of dozens, then that means, statistically, there are probably hundreds out there with the same mindset. Pretty small portion of people, compared to the millions that will be sold, but why turn off hardcore fans like they are doing by not making 2K5 BC? Of course, if EA actually puts out a decent Madden with quality online support (including leagues on 2K's level), then this point may become moot.

(2) The PS3 online structure is much improved over the PS2 structure. Though probably still not as good as Live, the free online gaming aspect will position it has far superior than Live in most consumer's eyes.

[Dondadda]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

Madden bundle with premium 360, Madden 07', Madden skin/faceplate, limited edition Madden controller, and free 1 month Gold subcription. Kick off the marketing with a 1,000,000 prize Madden XBL tournament on whatever day the Playstation drops.

You could do the same thing with GOW including the faceplate, controller skin and cash prize online competition, and I daresay a Saints Row bundle would be just as effective a system-seller as Madden or GOW...

MS is in a good position with the hardcore community, but Johnny Casual still doesn't know about the sheer number of games coming out for the 360, or that games are dropping like flies off the PS3. MS can't rest on this good start...they still need something big to get the attention of the masses.

(1) EA has to make Madden good first, before that plan is effective. NCAA07 is a step in the right direction, I'd say.

(2) What adult is going to want a 360 decked out in Madden stuff? I guess this might be effective at targeting the college and HS crowd, however (although at this price point, you are going after the post-grads and the affluent parents with kids who are fiending for the 360).

(3) I agree - M$ hasn't had too great of a marketing push re: their games. I honestly think that neither console has a solid game lineup . . . as a matter of fact, there's probably only 1 non-sports game I'm looking forward to on either console, and that's it. The sheer number of games, though, is definitely in the 360's favor. They need to really hammer the PS3 and it's probable week holiday '06 support.

For some one like me, who is on the fence, it's the games that really matter, and that's where the message should be targeted.

[jmood88]

Re: Xbox 360 Gameplan???? What do you think?

(1) NFL 2K5 will have a small influence on sales. I know of dozens of gamers who are holding off on a 360 until it becomes BC. If I know of dozens, then that means, statistically, there are probably hundreds out there with the same mindset. Pretty small portion of people, compared to the millions that will be sold, but why turn off hardcore fans like they are doing by not making 2K5 BC? Of course, if EA actually puts out a decent Madden with quality online support (including leagues on 2K's level), then this point may become moot.

(2) The PS3 online structure is much improved over the PS2 structure. Though probably still not as good as Live, the free online gaming aspect will position it has far superior than Live in most consumer's eyes.

1. If they really wanted the 360 then they would've got it regardless of whether or not nfl2k5 is compatable. It makes no sense to stay with an old system because one game won't work on it when they can keep their xbox and still play it(like I'm doing).

2. Sony has not shown that they know what they're are doing when it comes to online gaming and the services that xbox live offers is far superior to that of whatever sony has right now. No one knows what will happen when the ps3 actually comes out but I can tell you now that it won't affect xbox live.