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TheStreet.com

You couldn't miss all the hype surrounding the launch of Microsoft's (MSFT:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) Xbox 360 video game system last month.

Now if you could only find one.

A new report suggests that Microsoft has shipped far fewer devices than analysts were expecting this holiday season. The report echoes comments from retailers and game companies that they've seen soft sales in part because of supply constraints on the new game system.

Microsoft will likely ship 1.2 million Xbox 360s worldwide -- and just 700,000 to 800,000 in the U.S. -- by the end of the holiday quarter, said Thomas Weisel analyst Tim Klasell in a report issued on Wednesday, which cited media reports and "conversations with retailers." In contrast, Klasell had earlier predicted that Microsoft would ship 2 million of the devices by the end of the year.

"While the console launched to much fanfare, it is well known that Microsoft's ambitious global launch plans constrained supplies, leaving inventory thin at retail and gamers clamoring for limited shipments," he said in his report.

A Microsoft representative did not return a call seeking comment.

The software giant will still probably hit its target of shipping 2.75 million to 3 million Xbox 360s within 90 days of the device's launch last month, Klasell said, predicting that Microsoft would ship 1.6 million devices in the first quarter of 2006. But the company is likely to ship the bulk of those systems toward the end of the quarter, he said.

Such a result could hinder Microsoft's efforts to cut into Sony's (SNE:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) position as the leading manufacturer of video-game consoles. Part of Microsoft's strategy was to launch the Xbox 360 well in advance of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3. But Sony expects to have the PlayStation 3 out next spring, potentially limiting Microsoft's ability to gain a big head start in terms of units shipped.

 

[ManaByte]

Tim Klasell in a report issued on Wednesday, which cited media reports and "conversations with retailers."

"conversations with retailers." means calling up the local EB/Gamestop peon and asking them questions they don't know answers to.

Next up: PS3 not coming until 2007 and will cost $5000! Buy your 360 now!*

*according to "conversations with retailers"

 

[Link]

"conversations with retailers." means calling up the local EB/Gamestop peon and asking them questions they don't know answers to.

Next up: PS3 not coming until 2007 and will cost $5000! Buy your 360 now!*

*according to "conversations with retailers"

Knock it all you want, the numbers sound right.

 

[Gahiggidy]

Microsoft will likely ship 1.2 million Xbox 360s worldwide -- and just 700,000 to 800,000 in the U.S.

And 100k of those Xboxens are sitting around unsold in JPN. :lol

 

[D3VI0US]

Knock it all you want, the numbers sound right.

"But Sony expects to have the PlayStation 3 out next spring, potentially limiting Microsoft's ability to gain a big head start in terms of units shipped."

That particular part doesn't sound right to me, but I don't know anything just goin with my gut.

 

[BobJustBob]

A new report suggests that Microsoft has shipped far fewer devices than analysts were expecting this holiday season.

Shouldn't this article be about how analysts are all worthless idiots who should be shot into the sun?

 

[qirex]

Shouldn't this article be about how analysts are all worthless idiots who should be shot into the sun?

But without analysts who would invest in these companies? People who did their own research? That could negatively affect the bottom line of brokerage houses by lowering trade volumes!

 

[Arsynic]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

 

[DarienA]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

You have been a fountain of knowledge in this thread and other threads today...... thank you, thank you...

 

[qirex]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

Jeez, did Sir Howard Stringer pee in your Crunch Berries this morning or what?

 

[Amir0x]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

Wow, you're on fire today.

 

[Arsynic]

Jeez, did Sir Howard Stringer pee in your Crunch Berries this morning or what?

Are you implying that I have something against Sony?

 

[qirex]

Are you implying that I have something against Sony?

I'm implying that you're acting like a jerk in multiple threads and while I won't hazard a guess for the reason behind that it seems that your immature, half-baked vitriol is aimed mostly at Sony.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Are you implying that I have something against Sony?

:lol

 

[Arsynic]

I'm implying that you're acting like a jerk in multiple threads and while I won't hazard a guess for the reason behind that it seems that your immature, half-baked vitriol is aimed mostly at Sony.

Please don't confuse objectivity with vitriol. Both threads happened to be Sony related and thusly my OBJECTIVITY was aimed at Sony.

There's nothing remotely vitriolic about my post. I just don't believe that the PS3 will launch in spring, but if it does it will mostly be a BD-related launch. Also, it's no surprise that the Japanese are by and large waiting for the PS3, so a sell-out is damn near anti-climatic.

 

[Amir0x]

People might care more if you didn't bullshit about being 'objective', and didn't make fifteen retard posts in a row all with the same general purpose. At least Agent Icebeezy wears his 'objectivity' on his sleeve, you're just being a combative tool.

 

[D3VI0US]

PS3 will sell out no matter how many they release when they release it cause they won't have enough to meet demand. The hardware will have issues and kinks to be ironed out as the manufacturing improves and through later revisions. The launch games will be rushed and buggy, that's especially true if they release it in Spring, but it's a console launch it's to be expected. What that means in the long run depends on the details, but if PS3 is in short supply xmas 06 the 360 will pick up some of the slack so MS does benefit regardless of if Sony actually does launch in Spring. Still the later they launch the more MS stands to benefit, so that puts more pressure on Sony to get PS3 out, which means it's even more likely that they'll rush it out the door. Even if they do launch in Japan who cares cause they own it, the US and Europe are where they need to launch strong or lose significant ground. It's Sony's move now, so they really gotta give us some news at CES or that event in Feb if they're really launching in Spring.

 

[open_mouth_]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

This is actually a compliment to the Playstation's brand appeal. We need more quality posters like Arsynic to help make GAF a better place.

 

[Arsynic]

People might care more if you didn't bullshit about being 'objective', and didn't make fifteen retard posts in a row all with the same general purpose. At least Agent Icebeezy wears his 'objectivity' on his sleeve, you're just being a combative tool.

Now you're stalking me.

I like you too, Amir0x. Let's be friends.

I can't help that you percieve my posts as anti-Sony. I really don't believe that we'll see the PS3 in the Spring. Maybe that will change in a few weeks if anything new is revealed at CES.

Until I see how the actual production unit looks, actual games and concrete announcements from Sony, I'll have to keep up my adversarial approach for the sake of objectivity.

 

[Arsynic]

This is actually a compliment to the Playstation's brand appeal.

No shit. Really. It was intended to be such in a tongue-in-cheek kinda way. But some ran with preconcieved ideas about my character and assumed that it was an "attack" on Sony.

 

[Amir0x]

Now you're stalking me.

I like you too, Amir0x. Let's be friends.

yes, i'm stalking you and not clicking your name and then clicking 'see more posts by Arsynic'

I can't help that you percieve my posts as anti-Sony. I really don't believe that we'll see the PS3 in the Spring. Maybe that will change in a few weeks if anything new is revealed at CES.

Until I see how the actual production unit looks, actual games and concrete announcements from Sony, I'll have to keep up my adversarial approach for the sake of objectivity.

my posts about this matter have absolutely nothing to do with your opinion on launch. i don't think Sony is gonna hit it in Spring either (in US and Euro, at least).

 

[Xenon]

It was intended to be such in a tongue-in-cheek kinda way.

There is no room for humor when discussing Sony on GAF. Its the sacred cow here. If you feeling like cracking the wise you best pick the other brands.

 

[tahrikmili]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

ROFLMAO

You, sir, owe me a new keyboard!!!

 

[Argyle]

PS3 won't be out in the spring so MS has nothing to worry about. But knowing Sony and Japanese gamers, all the PS3 needs to do is come out with a million buggy units on day one with Spiderman 2 on BD-ROM and they will all sell out in Japan. There will be a few suicides and a handful of robberies.

Sounds kinda like the US Xbox 360 launch, only MS shipped 350K buggy units on day one with no movie. (I guess they shipped most of them with that Making of Titanic featurette?)

 

[PhatSaqs]

Man yall are touchy.

I thought the post was funny :lol :lol

 

[Rhindle]

Cool, yet another "Let's argue about the way somebody phrased some comment in response to some pointless article somebody posted" thread.