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[ZehDon]

If 80% of the market is digital, that doesn't mean that this also applies to the packaged games stores sell. That percentage is so high since it also includes small games that would never get a physical release and all kinds of DLC, from full blown expansion packs to paid cosmetic upgrades and everything inbetween.

No, this doesn't include DLC, expansion passes, paid cosmetics, or MTXs. Right now, brick mortar for games is a very, very small piece of the industry - which is why a lot of those stores either closed entirely, or branched out into other areas to drive their business. In Australia, EB Games started selling refurbished iPhones, pop culture novelty items, trading cards, board games, collectibles, and other related and adjacent items. For places like Target and Walmart, selling physical video games is a languishing affair. For a console with as small a market share as Xbox, their margins must be razer thin because the volume just cannot be there.

 

[The Cockatrice]

doesnt even matter if its true or not, this whole xbox thing just proves what a shithole the xbox division must be. Can you imagine Sony/Nintendo having these kind of news? I can't. MS needs to get their shit together.

 

[T-0800]

80% of the market is digital, and the digital attach rate is higher on Xbox due to their own push with digital services like Game Pass. I'd have stopped printing the discs earlier, frankly.

I think it only reached 80% when you factor in DLC and the like. Still high of course but not that high.

 

[T-0800]

AI can't fool me, I'm smarter than AI.

 

[Bojanglez]

Great sources, a random low level employee and a guy that used to work at XBox as a PR guy. These are just anecdotes, time will tell the truth I guess.

 

[Ellis]

Great sources, a random low level employee and a guy that used to work at XBox as a PR guy. These are just anecdotes, time will tell the truth I guess.

It already is mate.

 

[Dorfdad]

More than likely it's the store themselves removing them, store shelving is precious and if you got no product or low sales they get removed. Also all my local stores are removing physical media and saying you need to order online.

 

[odhiex]

See you in a few months to see who's lying.

 

[BlackTron]

"Target and Walmart, among other retailers, remain committed partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games."

Both Walmart and Target can both be "committed partners" with Xbox and not sell any Xbox merchandise in stores. Microsoft didn't address that at all.

By trade huh? "Xbox consoles, accessories, and games."

Seems pretty clear to me, maybe find another profession?

Who not to ask for legal advice

 

[GodofDestiny]

What do you think? Is it the truth, or is it just PR damage control using their slave Jez? S SneakersSO

 

[Hector Hall]

With the production practically halted (I think they produce the numbers law oblige them for repairs and substitution of a non discontinued product) and the phisical sales team charged of the reproduction and pressing of disc's gone, it's but a question of time there is nothing on those shelves, or it says Xbox but only PS and Nintendo stuff, or it's removed entirely.

 

[Gona_B_L8]

No one's removing any Xbox consoles from the stores. Not even customers.

ouch

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I think Windows Central lie…

 

[Negotiator101]

Who not to ask for legal advice

Another one who can't understand basic English. When they continue to be sold I presume you'll admit you were wrong?

 

[BlackTron]

Another one who can't understand basic English. When they continue to be sold I presume you'll admit you were wrong?

The article is just what other people said to absolve Microsoft culpability for lying. When a statement did come from MS, they were very careful not to actually say that those items are still being sold, therefore, never outright denying the claim in direct English.

Saying they "continue to be a partner" enables them to verbally fool everyone without technically lying. These things aren't by accident.

Sega could have said Walmart "continues to be a partner" while Saturn disappears. Then you don't see another console for several years, and indeed, it wouldn't be a lie...the Dreamcast still showed up. Though in this case, MS can simply pull the plug in the interim time and have "never lied".

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Ahahahahahahah

 

[knguyen]

Correct. Both Walmart and Target can both be "committed partners" with Xbox and not sell any Xbox merchandise in stores. Microsoft didn't address that at all.

Meanwhile....

The most impotent figure in gaming history.

 

[BlackTron]

I think Windows Central lie…

Wait, there is an Xbox gift card there. So they still sell this brand! Now if Microsoft ships anything that people want to buy, or should they want to pay for shelf space so it can sit there, Target is still open for business with them. They're a committed partner.

 

[ZehDon]

I think it only reached 80% when you factor in DLC and the like. Still high of course but not that high.

No, it's 80% game sales. If it were inclusive of DLC and factored on revenue - as opposed to actual game sales - it would 99.99% digital, as everyone makes their money from services, subscriptions, and MTX. I believe it's explained in the link I provided

 

[Bernkastel]

Microsoft be wasting there money paying these shills instead of investing in games (like they did in OG Xbox and early 360 era).

 

[demigod]

Microsoft be wasting there money paying these shills instead of investing in games (like they did in OG Xbox and early 360 era).

What did you shills on that xbox discord get?

 

[Burger King]

Microsoft be wasting there money paying these shills instead of investing in games (like they did in OG Xbox and early 360 era).

I'm sure Jez is st***d enough to do it for free

 

[Bernkastel]

What did you shills on that xbox discord get?

You are the only shill here

 

[demigod]

You are the only shill here

That's hilarious coming from you. We know you were in that discord.

 

[Mr.Phoenix]

The bigger issue here is that it doesn't matter if this is true or not. The fact that this can even happen to a brand as big as MS and Xbox... is crazy.

You know how fucked up a company and its messaging and public opinion has to be for something like this to become news, and true or not... its easier to believe than not believe?

 

[Bernkastel]

That's hilarious coming from you. We know you were in that discord.

Man I touched some nerve. I hope you are getting paid for this.

 

[demigod]

Correct. Both Walmart and Target can both be "committed partners" with Xbox and not sell any Xbox merchandise in stores. Microsoft didn't address that at all.

Meanwhile....

Lord and Saviour Phil be hiding. He'll only come out to do scripted interviews that make him look good. Any negative news? Let the peons handle it.

 

[Elios83]

Misinformation reaches new levels but has still long ways to go until it reaches the shilling level of Jez

Btw this seems "it's only 4 games" part two.
Reality is that consoles are not in stock in most places just ahead of a holiday season, the pictures of Xbox schelves being cleared are not fake, Costco has confirmed they're not selling Xbox.

So denying something is going on is useless.

 

[StereoVsn]

This whole thing is top notch KINO, that even Kohima would be proud. I am getting popcorn two weekends in a row!

And me:

 

[RetroGamingUK]

 

[BlackTron]

Misinformation reaches new levels but has still long ways to go until it reaches the shilling level of Jez

Btw this seems "it's only 4 games" part two.
Reality is that consoles are not in stock in most places just ahead of a holiday season, the pictures of Xbox schelves being cleared are not fake, Costco has confirmed they're not selling Xbox.

So denying something is going on is useless.

Denying that something is happening is useful for fooling some of the console base to keep supporting the platform, so they can grab a bit more revenue until the very final hour and have less people jumping ship. They will lie through their teeth to make a buck on the last man standing. Nothing new really

 

[Tobimacoss]

Correct. Both Walmart and Target can both be "committed partners" with Xbox and not sell any Xbox merchandise in stores. Microsoft didn't address that at all.

So Target and Walmart can do online orders with ship to store options with curbside pickup. Welcome to the post COVID future.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

I'll continue freaking out until M m14 tells me otherwise

 

[demigod]

So Target and Walmart can do online orders with ship to store options with curbside pickup. Welcome to the post COVID future.

How does one buy it from Target to ship to store when xsx is not even available on their app/website?

 

[Oixte]

Well it took only 6 days 25 years ago.

Sega Denies Rumors It Will Drop Dreamcast

Video games: Marketing official does not deny talk that the firm may develop its products for rivals.

www.latimes.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/31/business/technology-sega-forsaking-consoles-to-focus-on-game-software.html

Xbox is done. Microsoft is quietly building the off-ramp after spending 68 billions for Bethesda and Activision.

The next Halo and Fable? are PS5 games.

Microsoft was never a creative company and it never will be.

 

[Tobimacoss]

How does one buy it from Target to ship to store when xsx is not even available on their app/website?

Xbox Series S 512GB: Slim Design, USB-C, Wireless Controller, Wi-Fi 5

Read reviews and buy Xbox Series S 512GB: Slim Design, USB-C, Wireless Controller, Wi-Fi 5 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

X shows out of stock but Series S is still in stock. It's a stock issue, the page listing still exists.

You do realize it costs MS money to have in store displays. Shelf space isn't free. MS is simply betting that any Xbox buyers are more likely to buy consoles online.

Also, reports were for nextgen MS wants to eliminate their own presence for retail, and let the OEMs have that shelf space. OEMs are far more efficient in retail logistics and long term operations.

Also, majority of commerce is done online now, with Amazon handling more than half.

 

[adamsapple]

How does one buy it from Target to ship to store when xsx is not even available on their app/website?

Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5

Read reviews and buy Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

 

[m14]

I'll continue freaking out until M m14 tells me otherwise

Xbox was already not in a great place right now but clearly there are bad actors trying to take advantage of the situation by spreading disinformation to tarnish or "kill" the brand. MS need launch an immediate and sweeping investigation about this. Legal consequences should not be off the table for the perpetrators.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5

Read reviews and buy Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

That's an S, not an X

Great spin as usual

 

[demigod]

Xbox Series S 512GB: Slim Design, USB-C, Wireless Controller, Wi-Fi 5

Read reviews and buy Xbox Series S 512GB: Slim Design, USB-C, Wireless Controller, Wi-Fi 5 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

X shows out of stock but Series S is still in stock. It's a stock issue, the page listing still exists.

You do realize it costs MS money to have in store displays. Shelf space isn't free. MS is simply betting that any Xbox buyers are more likely to buy consoles online.

Also, reports were for nextgen MS wants to eliminate their own presence for retail, and let the OEMs have that shelf space. OEMs are far more efficient in retail logistics and long term operations.

Also, majority of commerce is done online now, with Amazon handling more than half.

Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5

Read reviews and buy Xbox Console Series S White with 1TB: USB-C Connection & Wi-Fi 5 at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

Learn 2 read folks. I said xsx.

 

[BlackTron]

Xbox was already not in a great place right now but clearly there are bad actors trying to take advantage of the situation by spreading disinformation to tarnish or "kill" the brand. MS need launch an immediate and sweeping investigation about this. Legal consequences should not be off the table for the perpetrators.

I say we go after the people who make weekly fliers for retailers. They obviously all belong to the same secret conspiracy group

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Xbox was already not in a great place right now but clearly there are bad actors trying to take advantage of the situation by spreading disinformation to tarnish or "kill" the brand. MS need launch an immediate and sweeping investigation about this. Legal consequences should not be off the table for the perpetrators.

You mean the people with photographic evidence showing Xbox disappears from stores.

"Legal consequences", you're fucking mental

 

[Radical_3d]

Wouldn't be funny if Microsoft names the Magnus console as Xbox Cast?

 

[Mr Moose]

Stock issue on something no one is buying. Seems legit.

 

[Horseganador]

Jez and Windows Central are starting to feel embarrassed with their damage control. Everyone is seeing what's happening, and how Xbox is disappearing from stores.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Jizz Gobblin to the rescue!!!!

 

[Humdinger]

The authors seem to be saying that since some stores still have Xbox on their shelves, the reports are therefore "misinformation" being spread by bad faith actors.

But conflicting reports is what you would expect at this point, no? Some stores will have them, and other stores will not. The dictate, if it exists, isn't coming from above - from Walmart or Target headquarters saying "No more Xboxes." It's a decision being made by the store owner/manager, at the individual store level, with each store operating in a different context (different market sizes, demographics, stock, shelf space). So this is what you'd expect to see at this point - a mixed picture.

To me, it's the trend over time that matters, and the multiple reports from different retail outlets. They don't address that, except to say Xbox has a PR problem. Well yeah, it sure does - but that isn't the explanation for these reports.

 

[MisterXDTV]

80% of the market is digital, and the digital attach rate is higher on Xbox due to their own push with digital services like Game Pass. I'd have stopped printing the discs earlier, frankly.

Too bad they can't sell an hardware console digitally....

 

[Sooner]

So many people* wanting Xbox to fail that it's become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

*at Microsoft

 

[adamsapple]

Learn 2 read folks. I said xsx.

I liked you more when you were just leaving emojis.