Sony kicks Europe in the balls. More at 11!

[Ze_ro]

So then Sony it up to its old tricks. They pulled this "shortage" crap with the PS2 at its launch. Although it apprarently didnt hurt them I wouldnt buy one because of the stunt they pulled with the fake shortage. MS pulled the same thing with the 360 and thats part of why I didnt buy a 360 either.

I guess both companies dont give 2 craps about thier base and will use any tactic to hype thier system. Hopefully Nintendo doesn't pull this same stunt.

I have to admit I wasn't paying much attention to the PS2 launch, but I'm fairly certain that the 360's shortages were not artificial. I thought they were a marketing stunt at the time, but by the time March came around, it seemed pretty obvious that they had lost a LOT of sales simply because the console was largely unavailable. The idea that Microsoft would sacrifice that much money just for a bit of "so cool you can't even get it" mystique just doesn't work for me... especially since the shortages lasted long after Christmas had ended (I thoroughly expected a flood of systems to show up a week before Christmas, but it never happened).

 

Not to mention that the total launch allocation is 500,000. That's 1/3rd of the launch units the 360 had. And that's the TARGET number...

Now that I look into it, it's actually rather hard to find actual numbers regarding the 360's launch. The best I can find is this article that seems to imply that approximately 400,000 Xbox 360's were sold within a week of launch. The author believes they could have sold at least three times that, had more been available, which leads me to assume that Microsoft shipped only 400k. And other sources claim that Europe had 300,000 consoles available for launch, and Japan got 100,000 (Although these sold somewhat slower than the rest). If this is true, then maybe the PS3's North Am launch won't be much worse than the 360's launch, although that's still pretty bad, and we're still assuming they can even manage the 400k. The fact that they'll be competing with the Wii and 360 also means they're far more likely to lose sales than the 360 did when it was only competing with the PS2 and Gamecube in 2005.

 

--Zero

[Atarifever]

 

 

Honestly it was determined the fabricated shortage theory was started by Berf Merfrod (AKA: I_LUV_Koopas) from Cleaveland Ohio....age 13. He posted it to the EvrythingInTheWorldSucksAssButNintendo.com forum. I'm suprised anyone subscribed to that nonsense.

 

 

It's odd that so many people I know who basically subscribe to "realgayforxbox.com" would also run around quoting that rumour then. Well, they didn't so much run around quoting it, as they were too busy lying in a corner sobbing uncontrollably. I'm with the last poster though, in that I originally thought it was a stunt, but then it lasted so long that I just threw that theory out the window.

 

The PS3 shortage is too big of a shortage for it to be intentional to create hype. If you're going for hype, then you under produce a little. 500,000 in the entire world is so small, it might as well not even exist.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Atarifever

[jetset]

So then Sony it up to its old tricks. They pulled this "shortage" crap with the PS2 at its launch. Although it apprarently didnt hurt them I wouldnt buy one because of the stunt they pulled with the fake shortage. MS pulled the same thing with the 360 and thats part of why I didnt buy a 360 either.

I guess both companies dont give 2 craps about thier base and will use any tactic to hype thier system. Hopefully Nintendo doesn't pull this same stunt.

I have to admit I wasn't paying much attention to the PS2 launch, but I'm fairly certain that the 360's shortages were not artificial. I thought they were a marketing stunt at the time, but by the time March came around, it seemed pretty obvious that they had lost a LOT of sales simply because the console was largely unavailable. The idea that Microsoft would sacrifice that much money just for a bit of "so cool you can't even get it" mystique just doesn't work for me... especially since the shortages lasted long after Christmas had ended (I thoroughly expected a flood of systems to show up a week before Christmas, but it never happened).

 

 

Just because it ultimately backfired on them doesn't mean Microsoft didn't pull such a stunt. There's no way you can convince me the LARGEST software company in the world couldn't manage to have enough of thier product ready at the promised launch date. That's just plain silly. And, I dont know what the availability was in March, but I know for sure by June they were in abundance. I was offered one from my wife for fathers day, and because of the crap they pulled at launch (and because of another reason I won't mention so as to not start anything with any fanboy's who may be trolling) I told her to save the $$ and get me a Wii when they come out. I certainly was paying attention to the PS2's launch. They claimed there was a "chip shortage" that caused them to not have any units available at launch. I wanted a PS2 pretty badly as my main game system at the time was my Playstation. I got so pissed that when they finally did become available, I got an xbox instead.

[carpecarne]

 

Honestly it was determined the fabricated shortage theory was started by Berf Merfrod (AKA: I_LUV_Koopas) from Cleaveland Ohio....age 13. He posted it to the EvrythingInTheWorldSucksAssButNintendo.com forum. I'm suprised anyone subscribed to that nonsense.

 

That's CLEVELAND to you buddy!

[JB]

So then Sony it up to its old tricks. They pulled this "shortage" crap with the PS2 at its launch. Although it apprarently didnt hurt them I wouldnt buy one because of the stunt they pulled with the fake shortage. MS pulled the same thing with the 360 and thats part of why I didnt buy a 360 either.

I guess both companies dont give 2 craps about thier base and will use any tactic to hype thier system. Hopefully Nintendo doesn't pull this same stunt.

 

The 360 couldn't be manufactured fast enough because the chips Microsoft had bought from Infineon Technologies weren't being delivered as promised, similar to the problems Sony had with their in-house production of chips. Explain why again would a company want to purposely not get their product in the consumers hands?? To help out eBay users maybe, or no...so they can sell less software that Xmas season?? LOL

A SMALL shortage is great, and manufacturing one can benefit you.

Nintendo used that technique regularly on the NES to make things look more popular than they really were.

 

But the massive shortages the 360 experienced... not so great.

 

 

I'd've believed they were faking it if it hadn't sustained well past Christmas and into March.

As far as the PS2, I always half-suspected Sony was sticking them on eBay themselves.

[moycon]

That's CLEVELAND to you buddy!

 

The really terrible thing is I grew up in Euclid.

 

There's no way you can convince me the LARGEST software company in the world couldn't manage to have enough of thier product ready at the promised launch date. That's just plain silly.

 

But you would believe that the largest software company would commit to launching a system in 2005, before the holiday season, and then not deliver the goods until several months into 2006. WAAAAY after the holiday season had gone and past, pissing off a lot of consumers who's kids were screaming for the latest console, many of whom didn't buy the system at all opting to wait until next Xmas?

 

I dunno man, sounds like a conspiracy theory if you ask me, especially when a perfectly mundane and logical reason was presented (One that lists valid companies that I'm sure wern't really happy about being the cause of the shortage, but could be contacted if you wanted to validate the excuse) Any proof of the fabricated shortage? Or even a logical explaination why a company would sacrafice so much cash at a system launch?? Oh right...the big plan backfired right? They created a fake shortage, by December had everyone looking and willing to fork over double the cash for a system, had millions of 360's in a warehouse ready to ship and then lost the keys to the warehouse door maybe?? LOL

 

And I'm the silly one.

 

The PS2 launch I can't really recall because I had one on day one. I honestly think that these fabricated shortages are in the consumers minds. You try to rationalize why you cant make your purchase the day you want to make your purchase and since you're pissy about it you blame the company that produces them. What you don't realize is that it would be leaked...these companies have vast amounts of people working for them and someone would reveal the truth eventually, have a memo, saved a email, or hell just came forward admitted it...unless of course in true conspiracy theory fashion, you believe it was an ultra secret covert plan that only the king of Sony and one of his black clad henchmen knew about. Instead the "proof" you have is Joe Blow telling you that's what happened on a geeky online forum. LOL

[n8littlefield]

I don't think the PS3 shortage is fabricated. I just think Sony's huge investment/risk in Blue Ray is really hurting them in the short term. Unfortunately, it's starting to feel like the technology/availability just wasn't prepared for mass release but Sony had to do something now to avoid MS/Nintendo taking more marketshare.

 

If Blue Ray gets widespread acceptance as the standard high-def DVD format, Sony stands to make incredible profits. However, as of right now, they are certainly suffering because of that risk, with the PS3 alone:

 

Blue Ray is to blame for part of the high price of the console

Blue Ray is to blame for the late shipping

Blue Ray could potentially make the software pricier

 

If Sony's format wins, they win big. If it loses, they lose big as it is not only hurting their movie division but their games division now as well. It will be a tough battle for them to say the least.

[jetset]

So then Sony it up to its old tricks. They pulled this "shortage" crap with the PS2 at its launch. Although it apprarently didnt hurt them I wouldnt buy one because of the stunt they pulled with the fake shortage. MS pulled the same thing with the 360 and thats part of why I didnt buy a 360 either.

I guess both companies dont give 2 craps about thier base and will use any tactic to hype thier system. Hopefully Nintendo doesn't pull this same stunt.

 

 

A SMALL shortage is great, and manufacturing one can benefit you.

Nintendo used that technique regularly on the NES to make things look more popular than they really were.

 

But the massive shortages the 360 experienced... not so great.

 

 

I'd've believed they were faking it if it hadn't sustained well past Christmas and into March.

As far as the PS2, I always half-suspected Sony was sticking them on eBay themselves.

 

 

The extended shortage could have also been caused by the initial run having so very many problems with units freezing up, not working correctly, etc...they ultimately had no choice at that point.

I usually am one to stand up for MS at least insofar as thier operating systems, but having experienced first hand how poor thier customer service is, (that is with the original xbox) and knowing thier deceptive marketing tactics with the 360, I wouldnt doubt it for a second.

[AtariJr]

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/video-bb...f-euro-ps3-del/

[moycon]

The extended shortage could have also been caused by the initial run having so very many problems with units freezing up, not working correctly, etc...

 

Could have been? So you are just kinda making this up as you go along? In your world that is feasable, but not having the correct parts to produce the box is not?? The freezing was an issue but I'm assuming you think it affected 100% of the initial shipment or something? Meh, What you want to make up and believe is completely up to you. No skin off my button finger.

[gdement]

The extended shortage could have also been caused by the initial run having so very many problems with units freezing up, not working correctly, etc...they ultimately had no choice at that point.

I usually am one to stand up for MS at least insofar as thier operating systems, but having experienced first hand how poor thier customer service is, (that is with the original xbox) and knowing thier deceptive marketing tactics with the 360, I wouldnt doubt it for a second.

 

If the launch systems had a lot of problems, then that indicates a yield problem which they tried to fudge. That's the opposite of just warehousing millions of good units.

 

I've never heard of a shortage of XBox games, or Sony movies, or new flavors of toothpaste. If Microsoft has a shortage of Windows Vista discs at launch, then maybe I'd buy into the idea. But they only seem to have these problems with exotic new hardware which understandably will have production issues during the start-up phase.

[jetset]

The extended shortage could have also been caused by the initial run having so very many problems with units freezing up, not working correctly, etc...they ultimately had no choice at that point.

I usually am one to stand up for MS at least insofar as thier operating systems, but having experienced first hand how poor thier customer service is, (that is with the original xbox) and knowing thier deceptive marketing tactics with the 360, I wouldnt doubt it for a second.

 

If the launch systems had a lot of problems, then that indicates a yield problem which they tried to fudge. That's the opposite of just warehousing millions of good units.

 

I've never heard of a shortage of XBox games, or Sony movies, or new flavors of toothpaste. If Microsoft has a shortage of Windows Vista discs at launch, then maybe I'd buy into the idea. But they only seem to have these problems with exotic new hardware which understandably will have production issues during the start-up phase.

 

Like I said, with Microsoft (and with Sony for that matter) it's easy to think they've pulled the "shortage" hype, since MS left broken promises on the table, and in the case of Sony, they've pulled it before. In the case of the 360, they've had more than enough time to mass produce millions of units yet didn't. And with all the faulty units, it wasn't a quality control issue.

[Cheese007]

I'm SURE SONY is faking this shortage. If they weren't producing only 500,000 maybe I would believe you.

[Atari Master]

I don't know about that. It's been known for a while that the PS3 hadn't started production yet. : /

[Ze_ro]

It's been known for a while that the PS3 hadn't started production yet. : /

On a related note, it seems that Nintendo might already be packing up Wii's for launch. (Although I would take anything IGN says with a grain of salt)

 

--Zero