Atari won a lawsuit against Sega in the mid-90s. I think it had to do with the fact that Atari had a copyright on certain types of scrolling backgrounds in games. Sega used a lot of scrolling backgrounds in their late 80s / early 90s games.
The Tramiels used the 90+ million dollars they won to keep Atari afloat until '96.
I don't know why the Targets, Best Buys, and Wal-Marts of America aren't screaming bloody murder about the 360 shortages. When I ask about availabilty, all I get is tacit apathy. Sort of in the "oh well" vain.
All those 360 games and accessories collecting dust on the shelves will be a hard sell after the holidays (when money will be tight). People like you (potential customers) are forced to look at alternatives for X-Mas. Once that crusical system decision is made, many consumers stick with it for the long haul.
Microsoft has squandered the chance of doing something really great.
2. They can get all their units sold quick, not waste any sitting on shelves for a week. By sending out more of the higher end systems, you could convince someone who was waffling between the base and the high end to buy, just by being able to.
Actually, I think it's the reverse. Now that there is a real shortage, I bet the only systems you will see on the shelves is the "Core."
People will buy the "Core" system because it will be only thing they can get their hands on. It costs more to upgrade a "Core" system to the level of the "Premium" system. M$ makes more money if people do that (and they want you to do just that). They'll claim that making more "Core" systems as opposed to "Premium" systems was the fastest way to get units into the channel (not having to wait for other parts like the hard disk to be in supply).
If chip fabbing problems is the real reason, they could have easily projected this drought well ahead of time. Chip yields grow at a very predictable rate. If you keep getting shorted chips early on in the process, then the rate of yield will be lower by at least the same percentage for the forseeable future. OK, but, this still doesn't explain why there are no hard drives to be found.
Every day, I go looking for an XBox 360 in Philadelphia, PA. No dice. I keep getting quoted arrival times like "maybe February?"
During this daily ritual of frustration, I see tons of 360 accessories and games sitting on the shelf. Actually, there are the exact same numbers of items on the shelves on return visits. Nothing is selling. Same number of WI-FI adapters on the rack. Same number of copies of Quake 4 as last week. And, so on. Are the retailers not pressuring Microsoft for more units? I mean, Best Buy and Wal-Mart can't be happy with the number of 360 related items taking up shelf space that aren't moving. They should be furious with MS.
I thought Wal-Mart would have put Bill's nuts in a vice by now. Or, at least, threatened to send the unsold games and accessories back to MS until more console shipments are forthcoming.
And that's because the cheapest servicable HDTV system is at least $650...
Do some shopping. I'm typing this on a PowerBook hooked to a Westinghouse 19" 16:9 HDTV / Monitor purchased at Best Buy for $450 dollars. I'm just dying to get a 360 hooked to this bad boy.
By the way, it supports 1440 X 900 res which is higher than most of the larger LCD TVs.
I've been to the following stores in the Philadelphia Metro area numerous times:
1. 2 K-Marts
2. Toys 'R' Us
3. Target
4. Best Buy
5. Wal-Mart
6. FYE
7. Electronics Boutique
8. Game Stop
No 360s. Best estimates were "maybe right before the holidays", "January", or my favorite "March!"
I just can't see retailers being happy about getting stuck with accessories and software they can't sell. Maybe, if the retailers threaten to return unsold stock, M$ would reconsider stocking consoles at a faster pace.
Right now, I get a nonchalant feeling off of the Remond devils.
I love games. I admit it. I'm almost 40 and I still love them. But, I can't see spending $700+ for something that will lose half that value in a year.
I mean, some of these bundles cost as much as some low end HDTVs. Also, this craziness might have the adverse effect of causing another gaming industry crash (remember 1984 not Orwell's but Atari's). These high priced consoles will sit on the shelves because the average joes feel that their PS2 or XBox is good enough (and they would be right).
I think a lot of people are going to take this wait and see approach. So, am I.
Unless, the new 360 DOA has a Kasumi "hot coffee" cheat. Then, all bets are off...
The chief reason retailers make bundles is so that they won't get stuck with games and accessories when they run out of initial shipments of the game system. Retailers don't want software they can't sell sitting on the shelves.
I mean couldn't EB have bundles with 2 games (like what most people buy when they get a new system)? I might go $500-$550 for the ultimate system with 2 games. But $700, give me a break!
...DVD has just caught on like wildfire in the last few years and that's taken a long time.
Don't mean to be a downer, but this statement is flawed. Being an early adopter of DVD (bought a Panasonic in March of 1997, yes it's been eight years), DVD was always the fastest adopted comsumer electronics item ever introduced. Even from its starting blocks.
Why? DVD was a huge quality leg up from VHS and it was a much more cheaper, convenient format than laser disc. And, let us not forget about the cool presentations of menus and special features
Unlike DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will slug it out silently for years without most consumers even noticing. Only 10% of households in the US have HDTV right now. So, 90% of the market won't even perceive the quality difference. Hence, little or no interest by the average consumer.
I wonder if the author considered the fact that games from the Atari and NES ages barely could render people (more like stick figures).
Nudity would have been laughable (X-Rated games from the Atari VCS days were truly bad). Blood would have been red blocks. Cutesy characters and pixelized tanks were the limit of those systems.
Also, has he seen any of the old Atari and Intellivision ads? There were quite a few adults playing the games in those commercials. They were trying to sell to everyone back then.
Note to author, stop reminiscing about the "good ole days" and write something of substance.
Maybe people are starting to realize that it's just not a really good video game system like XBox or GC. That PS2 has a ton on blah titles with only a few really unique, satisfing games.
Better yet, how about microwave ovens? They emit way more than 802.11b. That's why when you have one between your computer and access point, it kills the transmission when in use.
That's right they killing their kids more when making popcorn. Idiots!
Well, most of the houses in Philadelphia aren't worth owning, that's why Section 8 housing is all the rage (and destroying neighborhoods).
I can't tell you how many junkies have moved into my South Philadelphia neighborhood since Section 8 started. In the space of four blocks on a typical Staurday morning I've seen 3 piles of cigar innards on stoops. Ever hear of a "Philly Blunt"?
Go bury your head in the sand for another 50 years... Maybe Philadelphia will be nice again by that time. I unfortunately have to live in the now.
The Microsoft empire invested 1 billion dollars in Comcast 6 years ago.
http://news.com.com/2100-1001_3-200335.html
I expected this. Comcast has been priming its infrastructure for Micorape for a while now.
It's also possible that the collapse of @Home might have helped slow down this cable/net/PC convergence project. They probably had to wait until Comcast's self owned network was in place.
I think every one is missing the real war of May...
It looks like Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox are going to duke it out for summer box office king.
Now, most people are going to see both at least once. The real money is going to be in repeat viewings and wide audience appeal.
Fortunately, Episode 2's new trailer at least gives us hope that it will be somewhat exciting. The previous 2 trailers and teaser were very much yawners. Frankly, if the final trailer was a bomb (which in my opinion it wasn't), Spider-man would rule. But, now, I'm not so sure Spidey will beat the Star Wars juggernaut.
Episode 2 will get the repeat viewing audience (if it doesn't suck, it's an almost shoe-in for repeats). And, wide audience appeal, I think that's a toss up.
Slashdot Mirror
Atari won a lawsuit against Sega in the mid-90s. I think it had to do with the fact that Atari had a copyright on certain types of scrolling backgrounds in games. Sega used a lot of scrolling backgrounds in their late 80s / early 90s games.
The Tramiels used the 90+ million dollars they won to keep Atari afloat until '96.
I agree that it's problem in larger citities. I live in Philadelphia and there are none to be found! Guess I'm camping out in front of Best Buy...
Now. Ooops, wait a sec... How about now? Has it happened yet Sony? Tell me, is it now?
I don't know why the Targets, Best Buys, and Wal-Marts of America aren't screaming bloody murder about the 360 shortages. When I ask about availabilty, all I get is tacit apathy. Sort of in the "oh well" vain.
All those 360 games and accessories collecting dust on the shelves will be a hard sell after the holidays (when money will be tight). People like you (potential customers) are forced to look at alternatives for X-Mas. Once that crusical system decision is made, many consumers stick with it for the long haul.
Microsoft has squandered the chance of doing something really great.
Not to forget "Star Wars : Battlefront II" and "Virtua Tennis".
2. They can get all their units sold quick, not waste any sitting on shelves for a week. By sending out more of the higher end systems, you could convince someone who was waffling between the base and the high end to buy, just by being able to.
Actually, I think it's the reverse. Now that there is a real shortage, I bet the only systems you will see on the shelves is the "Core."
People will buy the "Core" system because it will be only thing they can get their hands on. It costs more to upgrade a "Core" system to the level of the "Premium" system. M$ makes more money if people do that (and they want you to do just that). They'll claim that making more "Core" systems as opposed to "Premium" systems was the fastest way to get units into the channel (not having to wait for other parts like the hard disk to be in supply).
If chip fabbing problems is the real reason, they could have easily projected this drought well ahead of time. Chip yields grow at a very predictable rate. If you keep getting shorted chips early on in the process, then the rate of yield will be lower by at least the same percentage for the forseeable future. OK, but, this still doesn't explain why there are no hard drives to be found.
Every day, I go looking for an XBox 360 in Philadelphia, PA. No dice. I keep getting quoted arrival times like "maybe February?"
During this daily ritual of frustration, I see tons of 360 accessories and games sitting on the shelf. Actually, there are the exact same numbers of items on the shelves on return visits. Nothing is selling. Same number of WI-FI adapters on the rack. Same number of copies of Quake 4 as last week. And, so on. Are the retailers not pressuring Microsoft for more units? I mean, Best Buy and Wal-Mart can't be happy with the number of 360 related items taking up shelf space that aren't moving. They should be furious with MS.
I thought Wal-Mart would have put Bill's nuts in a vice by now. Or, at least, threatened to send the unsold games and accessories back to MS until more console shipments are forthcoming.
And that's because the cheapest servicable HDTV system is at least $650...
Do some shopping. I'm typing this on a PowerBook hooked to a Westinghouse 19" 16:9 HDTV / Monitor purchased at Best Buy for $450 dollars. I'm just dying to get a 360 hooked to this bad boy.
By the way, it supports 1440 X 900 res which is higher than most of the larger LCD TVs.
I've been to the following stores in the Philadelphia Metro area numerous times:
1. 2 K-Marts
2. Toys 'R' Us
3. Target
4. Best Buy
5. Wal-Mart
6. FYE
7. Electronics Boutique
8. Game Stop
No 360s. Best estimates were "maybe right before the holidays", "January", or my favorite "March!"
I just can't see retailers being happy about getting stuck with accessories and software they can't sell. Maybe, if the retailers threaten to return unsold stock, M$ would reconsider stocking consoles at a faster pace.
Right now, I get a nonchalant feeling off of the Remond devils.
Probably because Spielberg didn't want to make a StarWars game. I honestly think that's all they do now.
How a about "Mercenaries?"
Right now, there is no killer "must have" game in this line up. Heck, they even haven't confirmed DOA 4 yet.
So far, it sounds like a let down when compared to the XBox / Halo launch of 2001.
I love games. I admit it. I'm almost 40 and I still love them. But, I can't see spending $700+ for something that will lose half that value in a year.
I mean, some of these bundles cost as much as some low end HDTVs. Also, this craziness might have the adverse effect of causing another gaming industry crash (remember 1984 not Orwell's but Atari's). These high priced consoles will sit on the shelves because the average joes feel that their PS2 or XBox is good enough (and they would be right).
I think a lot of people are going to take this wait and see approach. So, am I.
Unless, the new 360 DOA has a Kasumi "hot coffee" cheat. Then, all bets are off...
No mention whatsoever. Now, if that wasn't a high water mark for the gaming industry circa 1993, I don't what was.
The chief reason retailers make bundles is so that they won't get stuck with games and accessories when they run out of initial shipments of the game system. Retailers don't want software they can't sell sitting on the shelves.
I mean couldn't EB have bundles with 2 games (like what most people buy when they get a new system)? I might go $500-$550 for the ultimate system with 2 games. But $700, give me a break!
Wasn't that part of the original XBox 360 proposal? I guess those IBM processors are pricier than originally anticipated.
"Watch the turd, ride the turd."
Don't mean to be a downer, but this statement is flawed. Being an early adopter of DVD (bought a Panasonic in March of 1997, yes it's been eight years), DVD was always the fastest adopted comsumer electronics item ever introduced. Even from its starting blocks.
Why? DVD was a huge quality leg up from VHS and it was a much more cheaper, convenient format than laser disc. And, let us not forget about the cool presentations of menus and special features
Unlike DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will slug it out silently for years without most consumers even noticing. Only 10% of households in the US have HDTV right now. So, 90% of the market won't even perceive the quality difference. Hence, little or no interest by the average consumer.
I wonder if the author considered the fact that games from the Atari and NES ages barely could render people (more like stick figures).
Nudity would have been laughable (X-Rated games from the Atari VCS days were truly bad). Blood would have been red blocks. Cutesy characters and pixelized tanks were the limit of those systems.
Also, has he seen any of the old Atari and Intellivision ads? There were quite a few adults playing the games in those commercials. They were trying to sell to everyone back then.
Note to author, stop reminiscing about the "good ole days" and write something of substance.
Maybe people are starting to realize that it's just not a really good video game system like XBox or GC. That PS2 has a ton on blah titles with only a few really unique, satisfing games.
Naaaaah....
Better yet, how about microwave ovens? They emit way more than 802.11b. That's why when you have one between your computer and access point, it kills the transmission when in use.
That's right they killing their kids more when making popcorn. Idiots!
Well, most of the houses in Philadelphia aren't worth owning, that's why Section 8 housing is all the rage (and destroying neighborhoods).
I can't tell you how many junkies have moved into my South Philadelphia neighborhood since Section 8 started. In the space of four blocks on a typical Staurday morning I've seen 3 piles of cigar innards on stoops. Ever hear of a "Philly Blunt"?
Go bury your head in the sand for another 50 years... Maybe Philadelphia will be nice again by that time. I unfortunately have to live in the now.
The Microsoft empire invested 1 billion dollars in Comcast 6 years ago.
http://news.com.com/2100-1001_3-200335.html
I expected this. Comcast has been priming its infrastructure for Micorape for a while now.
It's also possible that the collapse of @Home might have helped slow down this cable/net/PC convergence project. They probably had to wait until Comcast's self owned network was in place.
It looks like Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox are going to duke it out for summer box office king.
Now, most people are going to see both at least once. The real money is going to be in repeat viewings and wide audience appeal.
Fortunately, Episode 2's new trailer at least gives us hope that it will be somewhat exciting. The previous 2 trailers and teaser were very much yawners. Frankly, if the final trailer was a bomb (which in my opinion it wasn't), Spider-man would rule. But, now, I'm not so sure Spidey will beat the Star Wars juggernaut.
Episode 2 will get the repeat viewing audience (if it doesn't suck, it's an almost shoe-in for repeats). And, wide audience appeal, I think that's a toss up.
In my opinion, it's going to be a close one...
Looked at it. Pretty lame. Wonder if this is any indication of the brand of humor in Ep. 2? God, I hope not...