GameDaily Opinion: Xbox 360's Keys to Victory Options

[Xbox-Scene]

GameDaily Opinion: Xbox 360's Keys to Victory Posted by XanTium | May 15 15:28 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From biz.gamedaily.com: [QUOTE] The keys to victory are in Microsoft's hands, but turning that engine over and speeding away from the competition may prove difficult if the company doesn't take the necessary steps to guarantee (Guarantee not actually guaranteed. Offer void in Japan) victory. That said, although this article is not meant to be a predictor of things to come, we do think the 360 has a legitimate chance of taking the crown this generation if Microsoft follows these steps (listed in no particular order): 1. Slash the price 2. Offer a special limited edition Halo 3 360 SKU this holiday 3. Make Xbox Live free 4. Go acquisition hunting and seek out exclusives 5. Broaden the audience with more family-friendly IP The Xbox 360 is a fantastic system, its product portfolio is consistently improving, and its online services can't be beat. That said, Microsoft Game Studios Corporate VP Shane Kim recognizes that his company has a lot of work to do. Hopefully, everyone else on Team 360 shares his passion. Now is the time to take control of this race. If MS doesn't crank it up to the next gear, Nintendo and/or Sony could easily end up drafting right behind them before eventually overtaking them before the final lap. [/QUOTE] Full Story: biz.gamedaily.com (2 pages)

[bucko]

1. Won't happen until Sony slashes theres.
2. Might happen at a higher price (pointless we already have 3 SKU's)
3. Won't happen or Xbox Live will go tits up
4. Already happening (unlike Sony)
5. Viva Piñata

Pretty boring article that is.


This post has been edited by bucko: May 15 2007, 07:57 PM

[a94cobra]

1. I believe the price will hold firm as they make changes to the current SKU's. Adding HDMI to all units is coming. After that price cuts will start happening. By then Sony may be ready to lower prices. And M$ will be ready.

2. They had good success doing this previously. I see them doing it again.

3. They won't make Live free. But to make it more of a value. Give us more free content or make it a little cheaper.

4. They are doing a good job of that already.

5. I agree (Viva Pinata!)

[ConteZero76]

Viva pinata ?

Aren't you converting to Nintendology ?
Viva pinata is a game, not a genre... you cannot really believe that a single title will shift balances from a platform (Wii, the home family default platform... with LOTS of family titles) to another...
Your statements are like Nintendo fanboys who claim that Wii is for everyone because they have Resident evil.

This post has been edited by ConteZero76: May 15 2007, 08:15 PM

[bucko]

Viva pinata ?

Aren't you converting to Nintendology ?
Viva pinata is a game, not a genre... you cannot really believe that a single title will shift balances from a platform (Wii, the home family default platform... with LOTS of family titles) to another...
Your statements are like Nintendo fanboys who claim that Wii is for everyone because they have Resident evil.

No, although I do own a Nintendo DS. I didn't mean just a single game, I meant that as an example of what is coming from MS, XBLA is also another good example, I should have used that really.

[sabbath_dude]

1. I know people always go on about how its not going to happen untill Sony does the same but I think a 360 price drop is well overdue!. Sure they can keep shifting good numbers of consoles at the current price but I think M$ should be more concerned about dropping the price and getting as many 360's into as many homes as possible.

2. Wouldn't be surprised to see this happen later this year anyway.

3. Don't think thats such a good idea. Maybe lower the price a little and give gold subscribers extra perks like free stuff etc. The current quality of service is fine with me for the price I pay. Making it free might mess things up.

4.Already happening

5. Off the top of my head, Guitar hero, viva pinata, UNO, Totemball, Cars + plenty of other stuff on marketplace for older/younger members of the family. Not saying it can't be improved but It's not like there isn't anything for the rest of the family already.

[jimbobjim]

Free live? hey, whilst they're at it why don't they make the consoles and games free too? that will certainly make sure they win. C'mon, as if live will ever be free.

[swampy]

Silver is already free, and that is enough for most.

[MetalHead06]

Free live? hey, whilst they're at it why don't they make the consoles and games free too? that will certainly make sure they win. C'mon, as if live will ever be free.

QFT

[twistedsymphony]

1. If they do this they'll trade "winning" for "turning a profit" if you're running a business one of these is more important then the other... as others have said they'll wait for Sony

2. Please... Halo 3 being released in 3 different flavors is enough... a special edition halo console will only help sell more units to people who already own one, and that's not always good for business (see: loss leader and holiday stock shortages)

3. Why? Xbox live might cost $50 but Nintendo might as well not even have a service and no one is even paying attention to sony despite their "free" service.... the benifits of dirt cheap pay service outweight a free service in my eyes.

4. This guy hasn't been paying attention... MS purchases a new friggin company every 6th months... the have all the exclusives they need at this point... taking on any more would be unhealthy for their business model as they'd start competing with themselves.... the ones left that really matter are too big to buy out anyway (see: squenix)

5. family friendly is not part of the ps3 package... the Xbox 360 has it all over Sony in that regard... as for Nintendo, it's not exactly what's pushing their console either... motion control is. Infact I'd say that too much in the kiddy genres is what's keeping the wii from being a run-away success on the level of the PS2... it is a success just not pwning the market like it could be

MY Top 5:

1. Hire a real Japanese advertisement company to advertise the Xbox 360 in Japan... they have Peter Moore heading it up and while I love the guy he's also the one that dropped the ball on the Dreamcast... he really doesn't know Japan as well as he thinks he does... give the job to someone with a proven track record

2. send someone to go from store to store to fix your damn kiosks... they're all running in 480p and it's embarrising when it's setup next to a properly configred PS3... I can't believe at this point it's still a problem. No one is going to buy your stuff if it looks that bad

3. show the games in your advertisements... finger guns are cool but not when you can show clips of crackdown, gears of war and vivia pinata and wow the masses while they're waiting for american idol results

4. bundle the consoles with a game or two: gears, viva pinata, crackdown, forza 2 are all good choices... make them new games instead of throw backs from the bargain bin... also throw in a full free year of live gold. These items are ubiquitous they cost next to nothing to add and they drive huge value for the consumers.

5. fix the console... no more red lights and noisey drives... half your potential customers think it's a POS regardless of how many units are dying or how many you say are dying... people on the street think it's prone to failure. this is an uphill battle to change the mindsets and starts with actually fixing your damn problems.

[thirdeye555]

yes i agree with twisted, bundle games or free year of live with 360. that is a great incentive to drive new console purchases.

or maybe a free month of live gold with each big name game that comes out, that would be a good way to spark interest in the live service and help with game sales.

[Merkaba]

price drop would be wise. it is not unknown that ps3 hardware is much more costly.

[Darkjasper]

What is up with every wanting XBL to be free. I'm fine with it being 50 for the year. Although they should release more free content to make it a better deal over what it is now.

[quarky42]

I resent paying to play online. I've been playing multiplayer since Doom and Duke Nukem. I never had to pay to play online on a PC and I think it is retarded that I have to pay to play online now. I hardly have any time to play online... so I have to waste $50 a year just to play online a few days here and there. Nucking Futs!

What they need is a TIERED online multiplayer:

1. Basic play online: Free. Minimal features. This is for people like me that play online to have fun but don't give a $h!t about making friends online because I'm simply not around often enough for it to matter.
2. Advanced/Premium play online: $50 a year, advanced game searching features, advanced chatting etc etc.

They need to add tons of free and fun content to #2. Some content should eventually "become free" at #1 level with the option to buy it sooner.

Live won't die if they make it free..they just need to beef up the "Voting" mechanisms and provide a divided system for those that will pay and those that won't.


The current live is pathetic at $50 a year... there should be tons more free content.

[para[android]]

I think it IS time for a price cut. Get ALL SKU's out at less than $400. The big seller of the 360 over the PS3 is the price IMO, the elite is currently priced too close to the PS3.

As far as XBL, they offer a lot for the price, but, it also generates a lot of revenue streams for them. Currently with gold, the only thing you get over the free service is playing games online. I think that the mentality has changed that playing games online should be free. I would like to see the current gold service become free, and then create additional services for a fee. Dedicated servers would be HUGE! I hate joining a game hosted by a 13 year old that you hear yelling at his mom before he will start the game. Other features could be faster downloads, early access to demos etc. Many options there.

I agree with the general premise of this article. I think the 360 is extremely close to being able to dominate this generation if they just pushed it a little more. They seem to be content with 2nd the way they are operating now.

My tops would be:

1. Dedicated servers
2. Web browser (yes I already have a computer for that, but it is kind of cool to pull up youtube vids and stuff on the TV when friends are over)
3. Price cut
4. Keyboard Mouse support in games
5. Continue to add video support (xvid/divx, etc)