Given the current landscape, has the 360 achieved "success?"

[RSTEIN]

After stumbling out of the gate, the PS3 looks to be in good shape. It has proven itself as a games machine and a good little media hub (although I still prefer the 360's Windows Media Center). As Wollan has demonstrated countless times, this year's software lineup is looking awesome.

Looking at the 360, its momentum appears to be peaking. While it's still a software monster, and it does have a great 2008 lineup, the hardware looks to be slowing down. Whether looking at anecdotal stuff, analysts, or publishers (e.g. EA), most are forecasting a much tighter worldwide race for 2008 and beyond.

My question for GAF: Given the LTD sales of the 360 (approaching 20 million), the impact it has had on the industry, the impact it has had on Sony, has the 360 done enough to be a "success?" Let's look out to 2010. Assuming that the 360 still holds down NA, and the PS3 starts taking the lead internationally, and both kind of grow together (with the PS3 ultimately selling more consoles worldwide), has the 360 made a big enough dent to be considered a success?

Or, looking at it from Microsoft's perspective, has the 360 built enough of a beachead to set itself up for their next console? As MS has stated many times, their strategy consists of entering an industry head on (with maybe an inferior product - Zune!), learning the industry, refining the product, and ultimately taking market share away from leaders on their way to being #1. Is the 360 on a firm enough plateau to solidify Microsoft as a serious contender in the industry?

 

[Metalmurphy]

Both consoles are doing phenomenally but being overcast by the stupid phenomenon that is the Wii

 

[commish]

who cares

 

[btrboyev]

Both consoles are doing phenomenally

I wouldn't say the ps3 is doing phenomenal by any means.

 

[Slavik81]

Both consoles are doing phenomenally but being overcast by the stupid phenomenon that is the Wii

You sound exactly like how the PC gamer have sounded for years. :lol

 

[akachan ningen]

the 360 hasn't achieved success until they make more money than they have spent on it.

 

[ThirdEye]

It's a 2005 console after all.
I mean, if you still quote Gears as a graphically competent title, something is not working well.

 

[Metalmurphy]

I wouldn't say the ps3 is doing phenomenal by any means.

It is for a console that started at $600.

 

[Tieno]

For me it's a succes if the console can support the games (profitable) I like to play. It can be 3rd place for all I care.

 

[Evander]

What was its goal?

 

[jarrod]

Big success imo, it's improved decently on Xbox by about every possible metric. It's also the core platform for the majority of game makers... basically, it's as close as we're going to get to having a "PS2" this generation.

 

[Mamesj]

It is for a console that started at $600.

And it only took a gutting of features and a corporate shake up to begin entering the race!


anyway, on topic, ummm, I don't know.

 

[WrikaWrek]

Both consoles are doing phenomenally but being overcast by the stupid phenomenon that is the Wii

Why did you had to snuk the ps3 in there? :lol

Anyway. I think the 360 grew in comparison to Xbox1, in my opinion it grew in both Games quality and Sales, it's building up, and while with the Xbox 1 people were all "hmm hmm i don't know where MS is going with this" like i was, truth is the xbox 360 has proven itself as a gaming system to own.

So in comparison to the original, i view the xbox360 has a success in every category but build quality. However they still have a long walk to do in order to really put the brand up there on a world wide scale.

 

[RurouniZel]

It is for a console that started at $600.

Is the PS3 doing better than any other console that's started at $600 in the past? Yes

Is that saying much? No

 

[Fio]

Well, X360 sales are not much higher than Xbox sales in the same timeframe, so...

 

[btrboyev]

I mean, if you still quote Gears as a graphically competent title, something is not working well.

what?

 

[Metalmurphy]

Why did you had to snuk the ps3 in there? :lol

Why not? Did you even read the OP or did you just read the title and post like most idiots?

Is the PS3 doing better than any other console that's started at $600 in the past? Yes

Is that saying much? Yes

It's selling faster then the PS2 did in several places in Europe. That's saying much too.

 

[Joni]

They lost Japan, they lost Europe. I don't see success when they were aiming at conquering those two areas. Microsoft has achieved success in the United States and they have done well worldwide. They just couldn't get all the pieces to fit. Better luck next generation.

 

[Chinner]

who cares

seems like you forgot that the amount of consoles sold determines which console is the best

 

[McBradders]

It's a success because not only is it doing well sales wise (Hard and software) but it's also changed the way a lot of people play and perceive games with LIVE forming a large part of the console OS, Gamerscore Points and the other innovations/evolutions that have been done to almost, but not quite, perfection.

 

[pr0cs]

Huge success considering the position they were put in with XBOX1. Right now most of the major Western developers have at least one title on the box, it sells software like no other console and has a legion of loyal fans that support it. 2008 is Sony's year to prove they're still relevant in North America, I have a feeling from GDC we're going to see Microsoft's attempts to slow Sony's growth.

 

[Draft]

No. Look how many people on this forum hate the Xbox 360. Surely a console hated that much cannot be considered successful.

 

[haowan]

What's the "current landscape"? :lol

 

[bounchfx]

in my eyes it's a success if it has a boatload of great games.

and so far 360 is looking to be one of the best consoles period if it keeps putting out stuff like last q3/q4

 

[sprocket]

You guys read in to too much. The PS3 is doing fine and gaining speed. The 360 is exactly where everyone expected it to be, good in NA worse everywhere else. And nintendo is still sacrificing orphans for Wii sales or some such magic.

Its funny though... everything is pretty much panning out like the analyst said at the beginning of the gen..Well besides the magical Wii sales.

 

[Grecco]

They 1.Did Better than the first Xbox and 2.Will have software sales that wont be matched by any other console

so yeah. id call it a success

 

[Forgotten Ancient]

I like it more than the original Xbox. I like it more than my PS3 or Wii.

But outside of the US it's totally sucking wind. It's a solid #2 in North America.

So, considering it ranks last, last, and 2nd across the 3 major territories, I wouldn't call it a success. Just not a failure.

 

[WrikaWrek]

Why not? Did you even read the OP or did you just read the title and post like most idiots?

Because the PS3 isn't a success vs the Ps2.

 

[Kill Your Masters]

What was its goal?

I would say surpass the first Box? Looking it that way, yes, the 360 has achieved success. You always compare the old scucess with the new one. Like the N64 with the SNES. The Wii with the Cube. PS3 with PS2.

Looking it this way, MS has managed to be more successful this time than before.

It the manage to sell more 360's than original Boxes, and I am certain they will, then they have expanded their userbase, and can continue on with upcoming Hardware.

 

[DeadGzuz]

MS's plan to beat Sony to the market worked, but the corners they cut to get there is biting them now. Faulty noisy hardware, DVD9, HDMI added later, etc. They also took far to long to cut the cost, I assume it was to keep the RRoD loss to a min.

 

[Firewire]

Well, X360 sales are not much higher than Xbox sales in the same timeframe, so...

I think this is the real measuring stick for the 360. If we had concrete numbers to compare the original Xbox & the 360, we can really determine how much better of an impact the 360 has had.

Though the numbers might be a bit faulty as the 360 had a year with no competition. We all no this wasn't the case with the original Xbox.

 

[Nolan.]

No it hasn't.

 

[cedric69]

Considering Microsoft's goals to fight back at Sony's plan for living room dominance, I'd say they've been quite successful. I think people are quick to forget how abysmal Pocket PCs were when compared to Palm stuff... look what is slowly but surely happening in the smartphone segment. Palm has put out products with Microsoft's OS! It took MS a lot of time to gain ground but they kept at it.
Considering how 360 is perceived now in the industry, I'd say they could keep going with a next gen Xbox in three years time and take it from there.

 

[Metalmurphy]

Because the PS3 isn't a success vs the Ps2.

Why did you had to snuk the ps2 in there? Where in the OP says anything about the PS2?...

Way to make a fool of your self...


You just try too hard, on every single thread. Welcome to my ignore list.

 

[Mrbob]

In the USA and the UK, absolutely. Everywhere else in the world, not really. The Xbox 360 is starting to remind me of the Sega Genesis. Which wouldn't be a bad thing. But with the huge head start MS had coupled with Sony's initial bumblings on the PS3 launch (which are now almost fixed), I would say MS has really dropped the ball when it comes to a point where they could have been versus where they are.

 

[Evander]

I would say surpass the first Box?

That's kind of a strange goal. They just want to compete with themselves?

 

[beerbelly]

I think so. They definitely have a strong presence among the hardcore and casual markets. I was really surprised that many of my friends who never owned consoles bought a 360.

 

[Chinner]

the problem with microsoft is that they dont seem to care about acquiring or maintaining exclusive games, and they dont give a shit about marketing the platform in europe at all.

 

[justjohn]

gta 4 exclusive downloadable content will take it take to the promised land, you just wait.

 

[Evander]

Welcome to my ignore list.

Bragging about who you stick on ignore?

classy

 

[GhaleonEB]

I think this is the real measuring stick for the 360. If we had concrete numbers to compare the original Xbox & the 360, we can really determine how much better of an impact the 360 has had.

It's one of the things I track, along with the usual sales stuff.

Shipments of 360 LTD: 17.7m
Shipments of Xbox through December 2003: 13.7m

Difference: 29%

Xbox sales drove off a cliff not long after, so that margin should keep growing.

I think the 360 is at a point right now where they could either take the platform to the next level, or drive it off a cliff. We need clarity on what 2008 will look like from the software side, and we need to know how they are going to compete in Europe. A meaningful price cut must come before GTA IV or I think MS will be blowing what momentum they had coming out of the holidays.

 

[MaizeRage25]

They've done very well here in North America, and I love the thing, but until they do something in Europe and Asia they aren't going to win. In the long run, the PS3 will win world-wide; it's inevitable. However, what they have done in NA is impressive (aided by the early launch no doubt) and is probably enough for them to develop a new console. As for now, they need to find some way to continue their momentum so that the 360 doesn't flame out.

 

[Metalmurphy]

Bragging about who you stick on ignore?

classy

You got a fucked up definition of bragging

 

[RSTEIN]

What was its goal?

That's why I put success in quotes - different people will define it differently. For example, devs are loving it right now - it's a gravy train. For MS, excluding the embarassing refurb writedown, it has been profitable. But I don't think that is the primary metric right now for the 360 (and the entertainment division in general). I think they're trying to build a formidable presence in the industry and each product represents incremental improvement for them. I think its a success on this measure. For Sony, I think they see Microsoft as a real threat - an industry disruptor or game changer. The 360 has definitely dented their hardware market share.

 

[Kill Your Masters]

That's kind of a strange goal. They just want to compete with themselves?

They want to make money, thats the goal. They finally make money with the 360. Software sells better than on the other two consoles. Besides the faulty hardware, they have improved and do things better than they did before. How is that not a success? If they manage to expand the Xbox brand, to get more gamers to buy their system, to play on their system, if they take away marketshare from Sony and Nintendo, than thats a success for me.

 

[WrikaWrek]

Why did you had to snuk the ps2 in there? Where in the OP says anything about the PS2?...

Way to make a fool of your self...


You just try too hard, on every single thread. Welcome to my ignore list.

Well maybe because we don't judge success just from what the OP said? I thought he also made a question?

He's not asking you "just" to comment on what he said, he asks you to comment on what the question he poses.

I'm sorry if you are so obtuse. Success is measured from what it's expected from you too.

 

[Razorwind]

I would feel that it is quite a success for Msoft.

They did learn from their old xbox ufo controllers , and provided some nifty new ones, that i even use for my pc gaming.

They set up a pretty brilliant xbox live, which everyone was dissing it when it first came out, but more and more people became hooked to achievements.

They didnt do very well admitting their hardware failure with the red ring of doom.

They have some very good killer titles that attracted and kept people onto the console.

Question is: Has the xbox360 done well enough to warrant for Microsoft to do the next console system?

 

[Busty]

It is for a console that started at $600 and had no games.

Fixed. And agreed.

 

[GauntletFan]

It's the new PS2.

Gamesplayers know it as the must-have games system with the strongest software library and the best versions of multi-platform titles.

And then, on the developer front - throughout the games industry there's a 360 devkit on every desk. It's the lead SKU for next gen development with ps3 ports mostly an afterthought or tackled in the last few months of development (basically how it used to be with PS2 -> Xbox)

 

[Firewire]

That's kind of a strange goal. They just want to compete with themselves?

No.

But it is the obvious benchmark you look at in terms of finding out how much more of an impact you're newer product has in comparison to the older product.

All 3 console manufacturers like to announce the best benchmarks in regards to their previous systems in their PR talk, so its only logical.

Although this isn't easy in regards to the 360, different price points, more sku's & 1 year with no competition make it rather hard to determine.