Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Sides With Nintendo Against Sony
rafemonkey writes "Looks like Microsoft loves the Wii. The Washington Post has an article in which VP Peter Moore says that since the PS3 is so expensive, gamers might as well get an Xbox 360 and a Wii for the cost of one Sony console." From the article: "Microsoft predicted on Tuesday it will have 10 million Xbox 360 consoles in the market before Sony launches the PS3. The high-end Xbox 360 sells for $399, but it does not include a built-in high-definition DVD video player that comes with Sony's PS3. Sony plans to sell a premium PS3 model for $599 when it debuts in North America on November 17, and Nintendo has not yet disclosed pricing for Wii." On that last note there is much speculation that Nintendo is aiming for a $249 price point. Sony's Kaz Hirai has in turn responded that the PlayStation 3 is priced for consumers, who are getting a lot for their money.
"Wii support Nintendo"
/apologies
The $249 prices seems a little fishy to me. The NES retailed for $199, as did SNES, as did N64, as did GameCube. I am seeing a pattern here.
Yes! I listen to NYC Speedcore and do math at 3AM. I suggest you try it too.
And so, Microsoft's console market take-over strategy has begun. For years, I have been telling people that Microsoft is not entering the console market to give consumers "choice". Surprisingly, even a large portion of Slashdot readers have purchased the Xbox, despite turning around to bash Microsoft on Slashdot.
Absolutely no company is willing to take such massive losses in hopes to enter a competitive market. The return in a competitive market is simply very small compared to the losses incurred by Microsoft's brute-force entry into the market. Microsoft is entering the console market to create another monopoly.
Microsoft's plan of action is to take out Sony. Once Sony is out of the picture, Microsoft will slowly tie users to various Microsoft services and begin to use more leverage from their existing monopolies.
Once the users cannot switch, Nintendo have little chance of winning. Microsoft will then stop funding R&D to make up for all that lost capital. Stifling innovation at the cost of consumers.
This "alliance" is their first-step to their eventual domination of the console market. As consumers, it would be in our best interest NOT to support Microsoft in their endeavors.