J. Allard Predicts Disappointment at 360 Launch

Eurogamer has an interview with J. Allard about the 360's imminent launch. Among other things, he admits that some people will be let down by the console supplies when it goes retail in Europe. From the article: "We decided we're going to take a little bit of heat on allocations, frankly, in all the territories rather than take a lot of heat in one or two territories. So, we're not saying Europe comes four months later, we're saying Europe comes now, but with that combining it with the physics properties of the silicon means we're going to have some disappointment in terms of what we can provide to retail and ultimately to the consumers this year, but that's okay, because we want to get the market started. We want to get started on a worldwide basis, we want to do the right thing for gamers, for our publishers and for consumers."

Comments

Well, I tried to RTFA

[adamwright]

And got as far as...

"We moved the Halo 2 date out to November, and people said 'oh, I expected it in April, this is a travesty, it's disastrous!' No, it's the best game that's ever been created, and we were glad that we waited and didn't rush it out"

"It's the best game that's ever been created"? I'm sorry, but your credibility just dropped to 0. I've played it, and it's a good game, but I can name 10 games I certainly enjoyed more off the top of my head (Hmm, Zelda : OOT, Goldeneye, WoW, Ico, SM 64, KOTOR just to pick some at random). I doubt you'll find any actual game critics who would name it in their top 5, let alone their favorite ever game (we are *not* counting single platform "unbiased" magazines/fansites that only cover Xbox). Hell, the rather unreliable Gamerankings doesn't even have it in their top 10.

The best PR requires at least a modicum of truth. Total out and out bullshit makes you look like an idiot Mr Allard, and I stopped reading your interview right there.

Re:Well, I tried to RTFA

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6456214/

"If independent sales figures show that Microsoft topped or exceeded $125 million in sales, then "Halo 2" would definitely count among the top five best-selling games in history for first-day sales, said David Riley, senior manager with The NPD Group."

Re:Well, I tried to RTFA

[ajservo]

Just 'cause it's a good selling game doesn't make it a good game.

After playing "Enter the Matrix" for 2 weeks, I was ready to return it and IT made a ton of money as well.

There's tons of good games that sold VERY poorly.

Re:Well, I tried to RTFA

[Keeper]

"Best" is a subjective comment. You can no more say that he is correct than he is incorrect in labeling a game as such, because your opinion is different than his.

Re:Well, I tried to RTFA

[gl4ss]

halo2 wasnt even best game at it's release... which surely is what the ms rep was saying anyways - that it was the best game ever at release.

it doesn't have the best plot.. it doesn't have the best action.. it doesn't have the best multiplayer(no network coop either)..

worth the wait? nothing is 'worth' the wait - not with games anyways, with release dates slipping and so forth the better question is: is it worth the money at the time of release? I don't think halo 2 is worth buying, lot's of pc fps's are better in just about every department(farcry for example, even with it's god awful annoying mutants).

Re:Well, I tried to RTFA

[KDR_11k]

Except he's a marketing guy and would call Halo 2 the best game ever even if he hated every minute of it.

Nice Headline

[Anonymous Coward]

You go with "J. Allard Predicts Disappointment at 360 Launch" instead of something closer to what the article contends such as "J. Allard Predicts Supply Disappointment at 360 Launch". News, this is not...

Yeah Right.

[voxel]

I wouldn't doubt they do this on purpose. There is probably some historical, mathematical or even emotional reasoning to limiting the distribution on launch.

Lower supply, increase demand. Those who said "I'll wait a month or two to buy an XBox360", are now thinking, "Oh man, if I don't buy it NOW, I may not get it for a long time, I better get in line today for one".

They could even be completely lying, say supply is "Low", but don't provide any real numbers as to what "Low" means, and then get people lining up and "Low" could mean "Have enough for everyone", now they have a much nicer launch, plus they can say "Sold out!" which drives people even more to want one.

Tell someone they can't have it, or may not be able to get it, and all the sudden their wallet is open. Say we have over-stock on XBox360's, and people take their time getting to the store for one.

Re:Yeah Right.

[voxel]

I believe it does increase immediete demand. Those who were going to wait to buy one will buy one NOW. All the extra hype generated because "So many other people want this thing, they don't have enough supply" causes those who were on the fence about getting one may jump on the bandwagon and say I want one now too. Couple that with the "You can't have one!", ever so simple reverse psychology and the wallet, or purse opens.

I don't know how many people this accounts for, but I'm sure its some significant percentage (1% to 3% of purchases).

I know one thing for sure, I've fallen for it in the past.. tell me I probably can't get something, all the sudden I am out looking for it even though I may not of really wanted it.

Interview w/out the fat

[Anonymous Coward]

I've taken the liberty of shortening his answers considerably.

Eurogamer: What was the hardest part of getting to where you are now? The hardware or the software?
J Allard: Both.

Eurogamer: How many units do you think there will be available for launch?
J Allard: No comment.

Eurogamer: Has the launch proved harder than you expected?
J Allard: No.

Eurogamer: Are you worried that this is going to overshadow your message because the media's going to talk about lack of stock?
J Allard: I hope not.

Eurogamer: Can you be specific on the launch line-up, because it's still kind of ambiguous what games you're going to launch with the console.
J Allard: The ones that are done!

Eurogamer: Can I press you on that? Can you say with conviction which ones?
J Allard: No.

Eurogamer: What are you hoping for?
J Allard: All three of the first party titles to be there on day one.

Eurogamer: Are you saying these three key titles might not be ready for launch?
J Allard: Yes.

Eurogamer: Does that keep you up at night, the fact that you know you can't guarantee these three key titles from you, and other key titles from other publishers might not be there for launch?
J Allard: No.
Eurogamer: Would you risk putting a game out that was almost finished?
J Allard: It's up to the publishers, you know, it's happened before.

Eurogamer: Do you feel X05 was a success?
J Allard: Yes.

Eurogamer: Can you tell us a little more about Xbox Live Arcade?
J Allard: We're going to have 15-20 games this holiday.

Eurogamer: Can you list any of those?
J Allard: No.

Eurogamer: It'd be nice to see some retro titles on other systems, available on Live Arcade maybe?
J Allard: Maybe.

Eurogamer: What about the Xbox Live Market Place stuff? It's intriguing...
J Allard: It is intriguing.

Eurogamer: Is this very much a publisher lead thing, or is Microsoft Games Studios going to be doing experimental stuff as well?
J Allard: Both.

Re:Interview w/out the fat

[wormbin]

When reporters interview politicians or market droids who give answers without content, it would be great if the reporter would follow the interview with a summary similar to what the parent did. A few embarassing summaries might prod the interviewees to give more substantive answers. Better yet, they may cancel the interview. Who wants to read an interview that has no content?

Re:Odd word choice...

[Blakey Rat]

Maybe "gamer" is the person who plays the game, and "consumer" is the person who buys the game... not always the same person. If my grandma bought me Halo 2 as a christmas gift, she would be a Microsoft consumer even if she never plays the game.