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Microsoft to stop XBox production?
- Thread starter Izzy
- Start date
"There are only two million units left and no more will be produced," continued our source. "There are 400,000 allocated for the whole of the European territory. After that there will be no more. It was confirmed that Microsoft has no plans to manufacture the original XBox once the new console hits the market."
I don't know if that is true, but there does seems to be a scarcity of Xbox consoles. Everytime I go to EB or Circuit City, it seems they are always running a backlog.
I personally don't buy it unless MS plans to introduce BC with Xbox2. Consoles usually keep selling even after a new one is introduced and I doubt that would be any different with the Xbox.
I personally don't buy it unless MS plans to introduce BC with Xbox2. Consoles usually keep selling even after a new one is introduced and I doubt that would be any different with the Xbox.
Spazbiohaz
Member
This has already happened for the most part. Many outlets have not had system to sell, and with the amount of systems remains it seems logical.
This is a twisted article. I'm sure MS *will* be ramping down production of Xbox in favor of Xenon, but that was to be expected considering that the former is on its way out and the latter is on its way in (in a BIG way). I don't think Microsoft will just stop production cold because that would show the gaming world (publishers, developers, retailers and gamers themselves) that MS is not trustworthy and that they might not be in it for the long haul with Xenon either, which is *not* the image Microsoft wants to portray.
Xboxes might be slightly scarce towards the end of the year, but they'll still be available new and used packaging.
Xboxes might be slightly scarce towards the end of the year, but they'll still be available new and used packaging.
This whole earlier launch thing for Xbox 360 could actually lead to terrible consequences, Xbox is really just now reached its peak and they plan to introduce the next one this coming winter? How many people bought an Xbox last winter? Wasn't it the strongest season for Xbox? I don't think the people that bought an Xbox in the past year, or even two years are really going to come out and buy the new one especially with no BC. IMO, I see a very small advantage for XBox 360 to release this early.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
Xbox2 later this year, Xbox hardware sold at a huge loss. Why not stop making them? Microsoft has nothing to lose. It might even create a large demand for the Xbox Next/Xenon/360. Hopefully the new system plays the old games. I've got my fingers crossed.
Looks like its more spong bs, http://www.majornelson.com ]major nelson[/URL] just posted this:
There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say the Xbox has been pulled from retailers. Furthermore, people are saying that we have “reached our targets and want to get ready for the next console.” Let me be perfectly clear: We are NOT pulling the Xbox from stores. Xbox consoles being in short supply since they are popular and stopping production are two VERY different issues. Don’t believe the mis-information that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled rumor-mongering.
There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say the Xbox has been pulled from retailers. Furthermore, people are saying that we have “reached our targets and want to get ready for the next console.” Let me be perfectly clear: We are NOT pulling the Xbox from stores. Xbox consoles being in short supply since they are popular and stopping production are two VERY different issues. Don’t believe the mis-information that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled rumor-mongering.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Taking this at face value for an instant...
That wouldn't make good sense. Hell, Xbox seemed to be quite rushed through 2001, and they still sold more than 1.4 million in November+December. Since then the November+December period has given them 1.5 million, 1.6 million, and 1.8 million respectively. To have so few of the successor machine even with so much more time to have it ready would be a Bad Thing as far as getting that head start.
Kleegamefan
K. LEE GAIDEN
Have MS made any money on the xbox yet? (i.e. is it profitable?)
F
Folder
Unconfirmed Member
Void-filling Zelda-powered 'Cube orders have gone through the roof.alejob said:So Nintendo will get a chance to regain the No.2 spot
You have to be able to read through the corporate spin provided by Major Nelson
There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say the Xbox has been pulled from retailers. Furthermore, people are saying that we have “reached our targets and want to get ready for the next console.” Let me be perfectly clear: We are NOT pulling the Xbox from stores. Xbox consoles being in short supply since they are popular and stopping production are two VERY different issues. Don’t believe the mis-information that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed.
If you read carefully, he said that they are NOT pulling Xbox from stores. He sidestepped commenting about slowing down or stopping production altogether.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if production slowed to a crawl or even stopped altogether. I believe that Microsoft is still losing money on each Xbox sold and they want to run away from that machine as fast as possible. They've already forecasted that their H&E division will be right back to its money losing ways this year right after they had that incredible quarter last year on the back of Halo 2 sales.
There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say the Xbox has been pulled from retailers. Furthermore, people are saying that we have “reached our targets and want to get ready for the next console.” Let me be perfectly clear: We are NOT pulling the Xbox from stores. Xbox consoles being in short supply since they are popular and stopping production are two VERY different issues. Don’t believe the mis-information that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed.
If you read carefully, he said that they are NOT pulling Xbox from stores. He sidestepped commenting about slowing down or stopping production altogether.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if production slowed to a crawl or even stopped altogether. I believe that Microsoft is still losing money on each Xbox sold and they want to run away from that machine as fast as possible. They've already forecasted that their H&E division will be right back to its money losing ways this year right after they had that incredible quarter last year on the back of Halo 2 sales.
Suikoguy
I whinny my fervor lowly, for his length is not as great as those of the Hylian war stallions
I forsee this being a major problem for MS
I don't think sony is really all that worried if they are going to try this tactic. It would also explain why sony has been trying to get so many damn exclusives lately
Soul Caliber 3, Phantasy Star Universe, Grandia 3 for starters
I don't think sony is really all that worried if they are going to try this tactic. It would also explain why sony has been trying to get so many damn exclusives lately
Soul Caliber 3, Phantasy Star Universe, Grandia 3 for starters
The Guivre
Member
Seal your Xbox now! Sell it when all the people without want it. :lol
That aside, I'm pretty sure that at launch each next gen console will sell out, if they have old systems on the shelf or not, powered by their own fan base.. be they clad in green and a slightly pointed cap, MJOLNIR armor or... well.. some kind of Sony shirt.
Out of the three Xbox has always been the rarest appearance in the game case in my electronics department. So the disappearance of it won't be that new to me.. I guess it just sucks for those who've waited this long.. thank goodness there'll be plenty of GameCubes for me to choose from in the dark of night late this year. So as noone will know.
That aside, I'm pretty sure that at launch each next gen console will sell out, if they have old systems on the shelf or not, powered by their own fan base.. be they clad in green and a slightly pointed cap, MJOLNIR armor or... well.. some kind of Sony shirt.
Out of the three Xbox has always been the rarest appearance in the game case in my electronics department. So the disappearance of it won't be that new to me.. I guess it just sucks for those who've waited this long.. thank goodness there'll be plenty of GameCubes for me to choose from in the dark of night late this year. So as noone will know.
MightyHedgehog
Member
I really don't understand how things could end up 'badly' if X2 doesn't have BC. I mean, is it really so difficult to have another system hooked up for most people? Unless you live in a cardboard box, in which case you probably shouldn't be thinking about video games as a priority anyway, the space used is nominal. Worst case scenario would have you putting the X1 aside somewhere.
Backward compatibility means little if you're supposed to be buying a console for new games that it enables you to play on it, IMO. It's nice to have though, I suppose.
Backward compatibility means little if you're supposed to be buying a console for new games that it enables you to play on it, IMO. It's nice to have though, I suppose.
bill0527 said:
Well their hardware sales numbers have been growing year over year, so they're certainly not decreasing production. I'm sure they're not increasing the production as much as they can, but they're producing a decent number it seems and selling them out as soon as it's produced. They're just not producing the insane numbers sony is for it's new PS2.
Spider_Jerusalem
Member
Spong, tha gaming news gamblers :lolbill0527 said:
Kleegamefan
K. LEE GAIDEN
I agree...
Here is a great post monkey magic made in another one of these Xenon BC threads (yeah, its such a non-issue, people keep making threads about it over and over again)
monkeymagic said:
MS have the opportunity to really fuck themselves up next gen. Potentially weaker hardware, fuckign over their existing userbase, removing any competition to PSTwo. All in the name of getting out there first and cutting current losses. Hmm.
This Christmas, if there is no Xbox 1, there will be only 2 value priced consoles on the market, only 1 of which (sorry Nintendo) will sell - that will be PSTwo, and Sony can easily mop up a couple more million consumers. And those consumers will be ready to purchase a new machine in 2-3 years, by when both PS3 and Xbox 360 will be reasonably priced. Sony wins.
And if Xbox 1 software dries up, MS piss off the people that bought a cheap Xbox last Christmas. So when they come around to buying a new console, they are more likely to jump to Sony
This Christmas, if there is no Xbox 1, there will be only 2 value priced consoles on the market, only 1 of which (sorry Nintendo) will sell - that will be PSTwo, and Sony can easily mop up a couple more million consumers. And those consumers will be ready to purchase a new machine in 2-3 years, by when both PS3 and Xbox 360 will be reasonably priced. Sony wins.
And if Xbox 1 software dries up, MS piss off the people that bought a cheap Xbox last Christmas. So when they come around to buying a new console, they are more likely to jump to Sony
FitzOfRage
Member
GFord said:
You're thinking of Bernie Stolar. Peter Mooe didn't join Sega until a couple months before the DC launch in the US (though either way pulling the plug on the Saturn was overblown - the writing was on the wall, Stolar just took flack for reading it.)
MightyHedgehog
Member
AniHawk said:
Well, yeah. I suppose it's because I've never seen the backward compatibility as a remotely important feature of a system because I hold on to old systems and am too busy playing new games on the new system. The feature in the GB line of hardware made sense to me because, let's face it...it's was pretty much the only game in town. For the PS2, it seemed cool, but really only served to help gloss over the lack of new, PS2-specific software available for the system in the early going.
Perhaps later, there might be a separately-offered dongle for BC to X1 for those that care. Like I said, it'd be nice to have, but nothing important...at least to me.
MS is crazy. It will either pay off big time, or ruin them. Normally a system has legs long after its successor is released. The NES and PS1 being big examples. Budget titles and greatest hits become reliable souces of income while the company transitions to new hardware. Here MS basically just wants to pull Xbox off the shelf and replace it with Xbox 2 and pretend nothing happened. Theoretically insantly switching to the next gen in one step...in theory.
NB: This is information I got from a contact at MS' marketing, take it as you will
Xbox production has not stopped, or even slowed. The main problem is that MS did not want to open a new production line at the end of 2004 because of the very high (and rather unexpected) demand on Xbox for the christmas season.
So instead of getting more Xbox on the market, MS just redirected lots of the systems planned for Europe to the US in an attempt to get enough systems on the market. It definitely was not enough for the US, and just starved the European (especially UK) markets too.
So now a few months later MS is still producing Xbox at the same rate, but it's still not enough for all retailers to get a big enough stock back.
So it's not about wanting to kill the current Xbox before it's time, it's a problem of not wanting to invest anything more in it. Opening a new production line when you have a new system coming a few months later is a very expansive operation and MS certainly does not want to lose anymore money than they must on the Xbox.
I can't say I agree with MS' choice on this...
Xbox production has not stopped, or even slowed. The main problem is that MS did not want to open a new production line at the end of 2004 because of the very high (and rather unexpected) demand on Xbox for the christmas season.
So instead of getting more Xbox on the market, MS just redirected lots of the systems planned for Europe to the US in an attempt to get enough systems on the market. It definitely was not enough for the US, and just starved the European (especially UK) markets too.
So now a few months later MS is still producing Xbox at the same rate, but it's still not enough for all retailers to get a big enough stock back.
So it's not about wanting to kill the current Xbox before it's time, it's a problem of not wanting to invest anything more in it. Opening a new production line when you have a new system coming a few months later is a very expansive operation and MS certainly does not want to lose anymore money than they must on the Xbox.
I can't say I agree with MS' choice on this...