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Microsoft Sticks to 10M Xbox Projection
Despite the strong gains of the Wii, and the PS3's sellout, Microsoft is sticking to its claim that it will be the first next-gen console to 10 million units. They're still hoping to reach that goal sometime this year. From the article: "Just how feasible that number is remains open. Microsoft's latest financial report at the end of September revealed that the company had moved 6 million Xbox 360s worldwide. And in his latest analysis, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter said NPD data that Xbox 360 hardware sales in the U.S. were 2.9 million units, averaging approximately 250,000 units monthly for the last six months. Pachter further predicted that 750,000 Xbox 360 hardware units would be sold in November, and between 1.5 - 2 million units in December, a conservative estimate assuming that PS3 supply levels remained consistent throughout the month leading up to Christmas." That's of course not the case, as PS3 supplies have been low. The article goes on to point out they still may squeak this out; the Blue Dragon bundle pack for the 360 is releasing in Japan this week. Preorders for the system have been selling out, and demand in that market is high for the Xbox 360 for the first time since launch.
"I thought their major claim was that they'd reach 10 million consoles by the end of the year."
They first claimed 10 million sold before a single PS3 hits the shelves. They then changed it to 10 million by the end of 2006. They then changed once more to 10 million shipped by the end of 2006, i.e. including units in retailer inventory.
They may actually make that one, but I wouldn't be particulary surprised to hear them backpedal again to the end of fiscal 2006, which is March...
The whole issue is pointless, I only pay attention for the purpose of baiting fanboys... watch:
360 IS THE NEXT DREAMCAST! LOL!