More 360 launch numbers

by Adams Briscoe { Dec 14th 2005 at 8:30PM }

We've got some more Xbox 360 numbers to put up for you, but this time they are a lot more detailed. Coming independently from the NPD Group, they say 325,902 consoles were sold by the end of November here in the States.

It's a far cry from the 556,000 original Xbox units sold in a comparable timespan, but then again, we all know why. However, 1.27 million games were shipped along with those consoles, putting it at a much higher tie ratio than the original Xbox (3.9 to 2.4).

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

S.A. @ Dec 14th 2005 10:25PM

I think those software figures might be a little high because some people bought games though they were not able to take home the 360. I know a few people who have bought 5 or 6 games but are still waiting for that 360 they have on preorder.

Crazyglues @ Dec 15th 2005 2:23AM

It's just sad if you ask me the whole launch is a complete mess... If a gaming company can learn anything from this it's don't do a worldwide launch....

Especially if you don't have enough units made to do it.

Also I believe this launch will hurt Microsoft in the end because a launch like this will leave a bad taste in the mouths of all the people who ran out to buy the system and could not get one, they then turned to ebay only to get ripped off as prices went into the sky due to the shortage.

So when you sit back a few months from now and see that there really isn�t anything that you really must go play, that killer game that you can�t stop playing, like halo was for the first Xbox. You might just start to hate Microsoft for making you look stupid for buying the dam thing at such a high price.

Now from a launch stand point this is a complete flop. I mean anytime you have people eager to buy your product the last thing you ever want to do is tell them, oh we don�t have enough so your going to have to wait. The whole idea for coming out before PS3 was to get the jump on their system, but instead you have not even cleared a million units. In fact the shortage just helps the competition get even more sales�

Because people who would have bought an X360 for Christmas people like grandparents, moms and pops, have decided to get a PS2 instead. I actually have friends who have done this. So you can�t tell me that this is a good launch.

Anytime you force the people to think about getting something else since your product is not available, that can�t be a good thing.

Just think if game sales where 1.2 million or around that with only a little under 400 thousand units sold� Just think what game sales could have been if Microsoft sold 1.4 million units for the launch. That would be a good launch number, but to be under a million for a launch of one of the most anticipated gaming systems is just awful.

I mean you had to know demand was huge when you started taking reserves. So has Microsoft stabbed their self in the foot with this launch? Oh yes they have, and don�t be surprised if it ends up hurting them in the long run� I know it�s already left a bad taste in my mouth, and I was a huge fan of the first Xbox, but these days I�m thinking more and more about the PS3.

Spike @ Dec 15th 2005 7:50AM

i think someone has a little too much time on their hands. *cough* crazyglues *cough*

Crazyglues @ Dec 15th 2005 9:45AM

....lol it was kinda long wasn't it... I just started and it was like I couldn't stop, but now that I got it off my chest I feel better... :)

fogd00d @ Dec 16th 2005 12:49AM

@2/Crazyglues: Since you're narcissistically checking back to see who took your bait, here's a bone for you ... guys like you would declare the launch a flop if they WEREN'T selling out.

Other message boards are flooded with: "They're not selling out in Japan! Its a flop!" and "Its sold out in the US! Its a flop!"

You say that people are going out and getting PS2 units because they've been made to wait? Clearly the buying habits of buyers THAT intelligent are worth counting, even were it not an obviously anecdotal statistic you pulled out of your ass. (?!)

I'm sure it will sour a few people, but the alternative was to wait and stockpile reserves and flood the market AFTER Christmas, when people may have already crossed the "I'll wait and see" threshold.

Rushed as it is, its out there and my buddies who were smart enough to pre-order, or ... hardcore geeks enough to wait in a chilly lineup ... seem pretty happy.

So, take your pick Mr. Business: should they have waited until after Christmas, or started injecting into the market a little early?

Microsoft obviously cannot afford MBAs as astute as yourself. What the HELL were they thinking?! ;)

Jack Greene @ Dec 16th 2005 12:54AM

"So, take your pick Mr. Business: should they have waited until after Christmas, or started injecting into the market a little early?"

I'll answer that. They should not have tried to do a worldwide, simultaneous release. They should have concentrated on the US, possibly Europe as well, and waited until early next year before releasing it in Japan. The Japan launch WAS a disaster. The sales number were horrible and there were many instances of retailers discounting units by 50%. The launch in the US wasn't a flop, but it definitely could have gone better. By not having more units in store for Christmas, there will be some lost sales that turn into purchases of PS2s, Gamecubes, or the decision to wait until the PS3 and Revolution are released before buying a next-gen console. On the bright side, I'm sure that will be a significant number of people that take money and gift certificates they receive for Christmas and they'll purchase a 360 as soon they're in stock after the holiday season. The holiday season wasn't a flop for Microsoft but it was a missed opportunity to get a significant lead on Sony and Nintendo.

Lamerizer @ Dec 16th 2005 2:24PM

Just wanted to add my 2 pennies. Why are you lames discussing launches and numbers?? Do you guys work for XBox? What real effect does it and should it have on you. F Micro, F Sony, Nintendo is the only company that steadily does things right. Personally, im not concerned with how well these companies our hustling the general public. Hopefully your all not clinging to the balls of these CEO's and taking things personally as if YOU invented the damn system.

One more thing, I like video games. I like video game systems. I dont care about who sells and who doesn't and who can or who can't. Which ones better then the other and does more or less. Its a f'ing video game system. The only thing you should be this concerned over is your health and family. You have just been lamerized. Peace Out.

Shout out to all the people that came just to read the lame ish that "die-hard" fans seriously take the time to ponder on. By the way. I didn't research ANYTHING before babbling. Late!

Lamerizer @ Dec 16th 2005 2:28PM

P.S. Dont bother talking ish cause I wont be coming back to read what any of you have to say. Sweet Dreams. (First and Last Visit)

P.P.S. Im going to buy an XBox and shatter it, so that one individual will never get his XBox. Aww.

Crazyglues @ Dec 16th 2005 5:29PM

Jack Greene that was a very good response and it made a lot of sense...

It's good to see that not everyone on the net is a complete idiot like fogd00d - so i won't even bother responding to his commets because his mommy probably doesn't even know he's on the net...

Just because you found a way to plug in the computer doesn't mean you know what your doing on it, fogd00d do us all a favor and stay off the net, your not smart enough to know that your too stupid to understand the point.

Bitter360 @ Dec 16th 2005 6:36PM

I agree with Crazyglues points. I preoredered an Xbox 360 from EBgames and now am still waiting. It's December 16th and I'm now #13th in line, so I probably won't get one before Christmas. It was bad enough that this console was $400, but I was going to give it as a gift so that sort of made it worthwhile as a killer Christmas gift. Now I'm just going to get a refund of my deposit and wait for the PS3 or wait until the 360 comes down in price when the PS3 is launched. It has left me with bitter taste in my mouth.

Salamander @ Dec 30th 2005 1:57PM

I preordered mine from Compusmart in the begining of September. I'm still waiting. I figure by the time I get it the easter bunny will be here. And their will be used games at EB. I already sold my old xbox and old games that I didn't want anymore now I'm just waiting till hell freezes over. I'm starting to think of sell the rest of my games and buying a PS3 instead.