Microsoft Explains Why It Doesn't Release Titles Digitally on Launch Day

[JamesD]

"Looking at the pattern of how media consumption has changed over the past decade, it's pretty obvious that digital is king… or is going to be, very soon. Yet, while the rest of the gaming world is making a quick transition over to digital, Microsoft insists on not selling digital versions of 360 games on launch day, which seems a bit backwards considering all its competitors have already made the switch.

 

But, according to Xbox Games on Demand Senior Business Manager Erik Yeager, there's a reason for it. "We have a lot of strong partnerships with retailers," said Yeager. "We really need them to do a lot for us. They're the ones out there selling the consoles, selling the peripherals and, in this time, we're trying to figure out how to fit that in to the whole digital landscape shift. We're just taking a bit of a measured pace with it.

"We really strongly believe it's important to have these retail partnerships and the ability to sell our console is the most critical thing for us. If you don't sell the console, you can't sell anything else."

..."

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Microsoft-Xbox-360-Retail-Digital,news-16879.html

 

So what was with some of their XBOX ONE plans? They looked pretty focused on digital delivery.

[DaytonaUSA]

More like it's called they dont have their shit in order for day one.

[godslabrat]

Yeah, I don't buy the "We could sell it, but we're not going to, because we want to give someone else a chance to make money." angle. I'm pretty sure if we could go 100% digital and cut out used sales tomorrow, Steve Ballmer would personally bulldoze every Best Buy and GameStop in the US.

[JamesD]

Maybe they just want the stores to carry their machines.

[Rex Dart]

They looked pretty focused on digital delivery.

 

Actually, they had their hopes on still selling you discs, which you'd install and then dispose of, leaving Microsoft in control of "your" game.

[DaytonaUSA]

Maybe they just want the stores to carry their machines.

 

Cutting stores like GameStop out with no used game sales would have made the x1 the me psp go. Most gamers would not even be aware of its existence as it wouldn't be sold in those stores. How anyone at Microsoft thought that that was a good idea is amazing.

[cimerians]

Ballmer is gone:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2013/aug13/08-23AnnouncementPR.aspx

 

Been waiting 10 years for that.

[+Gemintronic]

If someone has sold their soul to digital downloads then at least let them enjoy having a game first. You already made them pizz away their property rights.

 

The advantage of M$ products is that any fool off the street can manage them. Their corporate culture has whittled down that advantage so hard that even the lazy are finding alternatives. No more Ballmer isn't going to stop that.

[DaytonaUSA]

Ballmer is gone:

 

http://www.microsoft...uncementPR.aspx

 

Been waiting 10 years for that.

 

Oh no!

 

 

He made it so easy for Apple, Sony and Nintendo....