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[mrklaw]

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...

Kinda what I was thinking. Its effectively producing less because it won't ramp up production to meet demand. I can understand them not wanting to invest more, but if they hadn't planned to open up more production, why cut the price? Clearly they need to recheck their business projection software a little better.

 

[Mr_Furious]

GODDAMNIT, Microsoft! Just redesign the fucking Xbox to cost less to manufacture. You are stupid if you plan to starve Xbox wanting consumers in the hopes they'll want the Xbox360 instead. And you're just flatout retarded if you don't include BC in your next machine, if that is the case.

 

[Folder]

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...

That is the official line: http://www.mcvuk.com/html/news/story.jsp?newsId=1930545

“The situation is that we’re still not meeting demand – but in four-to-six weeks the situation will be much healthier,” Thompson (pictured) insisted. Asked exactly how many units Microsoft would be able to supply, Thompson could not offer specifics, but added: “We will be meeting more of the demand.”

Referring to the meetings reportedly held with retail, he said: “I’ve been in many of these meetings myself and what I’ve said is that we are in tight supply due to a bigger Christmas period than we anticipated.”

However, the UK boss did admit he couldn’t guarantee all demand would be met: “Can I meet everyone’s demands? It’s tough to say, but we are bringing in as many units as we can – and we’re manufacturing more Xboxes as I speak.”

Although the bottom line is that every single publisher and retail exec was briefed that there is two million left, with 400,000 for Europe. The console will also not be listed in catalogues on the next print runs.

 

[Apharmd Battler]

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...

Thanks for the info BlimBlim, kinda along the lines I was thinking. And to think I own 3 XBox consoles.

 

[Lord Error]

The idea that they "didn't know" that Xbox would be in demand at the end of last year seems like a copout to me. Halo 2, christmas time? He may be saying that they don't want to kill off Xbox before it's time, but by not supporting it more, that's essentially what they are doing. Can't say I blame them though, if it's still losing money, and XBox 2 will be better anyway.

 

[Folder]

The idea that they "didn't know" that Xbox would be in demand at the end of last year seems like a copout to me. Halo 2, christmas time? He may be saying that they don't want to kill off Xbox before it's time, but by not supporting it more, that's essentially what they are doing. Can't say I blame them though, if it's still losing money, and XBox 2 will be better anyway.

Bingo.
It's hardly unusual for MS to lie about an aspect of the Xbox project...

 

[sol5377]

Spong is yet again taking bits and pieces of info and taking unfounded stabs in the dark.

 

[sidnotcrazy]

Why not just include BC? This certainly wouldn't hurt sales. Never have I heard a consumer state that an extra feature was not needed, and they wouldn't purchase said product because of this.

I am almost 30 years old, and I own at least 12 different platforms. So pulling out older consoles is a real hassle. This is and numerous other reasons is why I feel it would be in M$ best interest to make it BC out of the box, or at least sell some kind of emulator disk.

 

[Duckhuntdog]

getting some rumblings that xbox production will end soon, so might have some validity.

 

[Folder]

Spong is yet again taking bits and pieces of info and taking unfounded stabs in the dark.

It's not unfounded. It comes direct from several reliable retail and publishing sources. Something similar was printed in MCV. SPOnG didn't really report much new aside from the specific numbers, which incidentally came from two different retailer briefings held by MS.

 

[JJConrad]

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....

Year over year, they sold 300k more Xboxs in November and 60k less in December. How is that very high and unexpected demand? Since there were systems left over in 2003, its possible that supply was actually smaller during Christmas '04. Xbox sales had been up almost the entire year (ever since the price drop). What, was Microsoft expecting Halo 2 to bomb so much that it would kill off any momentum they did have?

 

[BojTrek]

In my heart, I feel that MICROSOFT will include backwars-compatibility...

It would be a great campaign feature...

Play all of your old X-Box games, play all new X-Box games to be released in the future... plus play all new X-Box 360 with the power of...

and that is when they pound X-Box 360 graphics on the commerical... it will be great!

 

[Kleegamefan]

That would be a fantastic and (in light of the recent xbox discontinuation rumblings) obvious decision to include BC in Xbox 360 (name starting to grow on me)

Plus, I really think MS *WANTS* to include BC but the whole nVidia-tech-licensing-thingy is probably what is complicating matters...

 

[XboxGamers]

. “They are telling us that they have reached their targets and want to clear the way for the next machine,” I'm ready, Bring it!

 

[Solid]

. “They are telling us that they have reached their targets and want to clear the way for the next machine,” I'm ready, Bring it!

Reached their taget?? Wasn't the target 100 million Xbox's? :lol

 

[gamergirly]

http://www.gamefront.de/

Xbox scarceness not because of Xbox 2

31.03.05 - In many countries a Xbox scarceness and the console prevail are in numerous business sell off, while subsequent deliveries of Microsoft are missing or take place only zaghaft. Now Larry Hryb (major Nelson) expressed itself, Xbox Live Director or Programming at Microsoft, to the bottlenecks.

Therefore the lack of Xbox consoles is based on the success of the system and the large customer demand. Under no circumstances Microsoft would intentionally not deliver the console, in order to prepare the trade for the Xbox 2.

Likewise messages are wrong, after which Microsoft achieved its goals with the Xbox and which want to take console regarding the follow-up system from the trade.

 

[Deku Tree]

Reached their taget?? Wasn't the target 100 million Xbox's? :lol

Did they really say that?

 

[Kleegamefan]

Yeah....Seamus Blackley said 100m units was the goal :lol

 

[Folder]

Yeah....Seamus Blackley said 100m units was the goal :lol

Poor old Blackley.

It's quite a casualty list really, the original Xbox exec line-up. Fries was the morst (and perhaps most embarassing) loss IMO.

 

[The End]

That would be a fantastic and (in light of the recent xbox discontinuation rumblings) obvious decision to include BC in Xbox 360 (name starting to grow on me)

Plus, I really think MS *WANTS* to include BC but the whole nVidia-tech-licensing-thingy is probably what is complicating matters...

Well, after the whole "Sony v Connectix" case, it would be legal for Sony to make PS3 backwards compatible with the Xbox. Hell, they own connectix, and with Nvidia hardware, it would be easier for them to do it than MS with Xbox 360.

 

[XboxGamers]

Xbox 'pulled' rumours quashed?

Link

31/03/05 17:30]
Microsoft exec dismisses recent web rumours in a post on his personal website


Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb flatly denies the recent run of rumours claiming Microsoft is pulling Xbox from stores and making way for its new Xbox 2 console.

The internet has been awash with stories in recent days, quoting a number of 'anonymous sources', claiming that Microsoft is winding down Xbox production to make way for its new Xbox 2 console, expected in November. And that worldwide Xbox stockpiles are now down to 2 million with no more supplies on the way.

However, Larry Hryb contests this via a post on his website, where he writes:

"There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say 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 due to popularity and stopping production are two very different issues. Don't believe the misinformation that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed. Now, back to your regularly scheduled rumor-mongering," he added.

While this isn't an official press release, it seems unlikely someone in Larry Hryb's position would deny claims in such a strong manner, using a medium such as his own website, unless he was completely sure that what he is saying is correct.

Still, the stock levels do speak for themselves and the latest ChartTrack information tends to disprove Hryb's comment about Xbox being in short supply because of its unrelenting popularity.

According to ChartTrack, 4,838 Xboxes were shifted last week, compared to 27,917 PS2s, which does suggest the shortages are actually a result of a lack of supply, rather than high demand.

 

[FightyF]

Why not just include BC? This certainly wouldn't hurt sales. Never have I heard a consumer state that an extra feature was not needed, and they wouldn't purchase said product because of this.

I am almost 30 years old, and I own at least 12 different platforms. So pulling out older consoles is a real hassle. This is and numerous other reasons is why I feel it would be in M$ best interest to make it BC out of the box, or at least sell some kind of emulator disk.

Because adding $50-100 to the cost of a new console just for BC is absolute suicide.

The Xbox was in a unique position, it was more powerful than the GC and PS2 and can't be emulated on a next gen console because of it's architecture and the power it posseses. I just felt like saying "power it possesses".

 

[pj]

Xbox 'pulled' rumours quashed?

Link

31/03/05 17:30]
Microsoft exec dismisses recent web rumours in a post on his personal website


Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb flatly denies the recent run of rumours claiming Microsoft is pulling Xbox from stores and making way for its new Xbox 2 console.

The internet has been awash with stories in recent days, quoting a number of 'anonymous sources', claiming that Microsoft is winding down Xbox production to make way for its new Xbox 2 console, expected in November. And that worldwide Xbox stockpiles are now down to 2 million with no more supplies on the way.

However, Larry Hryb contests this via a post on his website, where he writes:

"There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say 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 due to popularity and stopping production are two very different issues. Don't believe the misinformation that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed. Now, back to your regularly scheduled rumor-mongering," he added.

While this isn't an official press release, it seems unlikely someone in Larry Hryb's position would deny claims in such a strong manner, using a medium such as his own website, unless he was completely sure that what he is saying is correct.

Still, the stock levels do speak for themselves and the latest ChartTrack information tends to disprove Hryb's comment about Xbox being in short supply because of its unrelenting popularity.

According to ChartTrack, 4,838 Xboxes were shifted last week, compared to 27,917 PS2s, which does suggest the shortages are actually a result of a lack of supply, rather than high demand.

Cue folder slinking back into the shadows until the next unsubstantiated rumor surfaces, so he can yet again defend his non-existent credibility and spread misinformation to the masses.

 

[Izzy]

*cough*