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OXCGN Asks What’s Next After Record Growth for 360
What Are They Clearing The Decks For . . . ?
by TWODOGSz
© 2009 Aaron Bertinetti:- NE (News Editor)
Sure it’s been rumoured this was the case, but it’s now officially official!
For all the cynics who derided Microsoft’s entry into the console gaming industry a generation ago there’s a whole lot of pride to swallow in that figure.
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is not only the number one HD console on the market, but Xbox Live is the number one “global entertainment network” with 20 million active members.
And in mind shattering news apparently when you launch a new dashboard with great content, easy navigation, targeted advertising, and easy, care free payments using ephemeral points and convenient credit cards… well, people tend to spend a lot more. A hell of a lot more! Recessions and depressions be damned!
So what does this all mean?
Well the Xbox 360 is not only selling faster than in previous years but at an increasingly faster pace than it’s direct competition, the Playstation 3.
Don Mattrick, or The Don as we prefer to call him, can go into Microsoft’s E3 press conference on June 1 with a chest as full of air as his full head of hair (sorry, bad Jay Allard riff).
It also makes us think that the Don’s talk of “blockbuster entertainment” might have some serious weight to it.
In previous years Microsoft and its competitors have left such announcements till their E3 press conferences, and yet in the last 48hrs we’ve had the sexy looking Zune HD and milestone sales figures announced from Redmond HQ, and just days from the big event.
What are they clearing the decks for?
Well between the incessant rumours, our spies’ reports and this clearing of the PR decks… I’m putting a wager on the Don having an offer no gamer can refuse!
(ED: Personally I think they are clearing the decks for a very good reason. Their upcoming new super thin Dual CPU/GPU Motherboard, code named Vahalla, is due for release at the end of 2009, beginning of 2010.
With movement like this, it could be the case they are setting the stage for the new X720 much sooner than later. Not in 2012 as some have said, but mention of it will be in late 2009 with possible release alongside the current 360 in 2010.
I have always believed the Valhalla will heard in the next machine, and while some will say the 360′s not done 10 years yet blah blah blah, that’s true. It will sell alongside the new X720, much like the PS2 sells alongside the PS3.
Makes perfect sense actually – ED)
Anyone want to place a bet?
Full press release below.
© 2009 Aaron Bertinetti:- NE (News Editor)
Year-over-year growth jumps as Xbox 360 console sales hit 30 million globally and Xbox LIVE community reaches 20 million users
REDMOND, Wash. — May 28, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. announced today that sales of Xbox 360 consoles have passed the 30 million mark globally, with its Xbox LIVE community swelling to more than 20 million active members.
The success of the platform can be measured across the business, with Xbox LIVE now considered the world’s largest global entertainment network.
Increasing consumer desire to connect with friends and extend the life of their favourite games has been the primary driver behind the growth of Xbox LIVE membership and the reason Xbox continues to expand offerings on the platform.
“We’ve always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.
“We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally.”
Activity on Xbox LIVE, the industry-leading online gaming and entertainment service surged following the launch of the New Xbox Experience in November 2008. Since that time, the community has recorded a 136 per cent increase in new members, purchases of games, Game Add-ons and more on Xbox LIVE Arcade have increased by 70 per cent.1 Xbox LIVE reaches 26 countries worldwide.
Consumers can expect more exciting announcements from Microsoft next week as Xbox 360 kicks off the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, with its press briefing on Monday, June 1, in Los Angeles.
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Filed under: Console gaming, E3 2009, Hardware News, Microsoft Games, OXCGN Affiliates, Parental Gaming, Press Release, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 News
I seriously doubt a new next generation console is coming out anytime soon. Your naive if you think so. Why would they come out with a new console when the main system with the HDD still aint even hit $199 and it’s selling much faster then the original Xbox did and is outselling the ps3 constantly. 7-8 million plus lead when last year it was only above 5 until the price drop. Microsoft is going to ride this generation out.
Their is no reason for a new console to be released anytime soon. Their is no substaincial gap between the 360 and ps3 to jump ship. PS2 was heavily inferior to the capabilities of xbox and look what happened it outsold it 10 to 1. Look at the Wii, full of shovelware and motion based controls with 2001 technical inferiority is king right now. The ps3 is based on blue ray and it barely looks better or even allowing more then what microsoft is doing with DVD-9. Their isn’t enough of a gap in technology that we need something entirely brand new right now.
It’s not like it matter’s anyways. The most powerful system has never been the install base leading one.
Please use paragraphs mate, ppl will read it if uit has them, they’ll just skip right over it if it’s in one big block of text – trust me on that.
But on the matter of the next xbox. You have to understand, that the way things USED to work is no more. And that the original xbox was NOT meant to be a huge market share holder, or to even go past the 5 yr mark. It had a job to do, just like the PS1 did.
It was designed to bring MS into the gaming arena and also bring XboxLIVE from the word go with its ethernet from day one. Even Sony were saying that it would never take off with such a fitting, and that MD would be out of the market within 18 months (do a google, you’ll find it).
The 360 has a 7 yr plan attached to it, with a 10 year life cycle. Life cycles do NOT mean a life exclusive of other hardware. It means that they will follow it faithfully for that period without any thought of removing, then judge its progress from there, while alongsdie it, a new machine will be sold.
Sony is doing the same thing. They have been working on the PS4 in Germany now for 2 yrs, yes, do a google and you’ll find it. Both know there’s room for more than one piece of hardware per platform in todays market. This is not 2000, it’s 2009 and soon to be in a new decade. Where life cycles are measured in shorter terms than previously.
Well put.
I wrote the article to get readers inputs and I agree with your insights.
Sony needs to cut the price this E3 by at least $100. I’m sure they will cut it by $50 at min. However, MS and Ninty have room to move if they need to respond.
As for the ED’s comments. I disagree. The 360 is still in its early phase and as Sony’s experience has shown, price is a killer in this current global economy.
I expect the 1080 (there won’t be a 720 imo) to drop 2011-2012 at the absolute earliest.
I hope it’s later…I can’t afford another console!!! Not if I’m eyeing the Zune HD or Apple ITouch…or PSP GO!
I wish the wife would let me sell the Wii!
I would have been stunned if MS couldn’t have had this increase with dropping the price of the console to $200. They would have been in serious trouble if they couldn’t generate these kinds of increases after selling their lowest entry point at HALF of what the PS3 entry point was. Do you think the PS3 wouldn’t have easily done the same at that price point?
It’s smart for MS to have created a path where they can get the price down the way they have, but if they were selling at the same price points (or even their old ones before they did the next PC), my guess is they would have been in the same boat as Sony with the PS3 bare minimum.
Spriggers, uh you’re just spewing out a bunch of conjecture. Here is an idea, let get away from the what ifs and stick to the present.
Thanks