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"How to launch a console"

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Mon 27/11/00 at 12:35
Regular
Posts: 787
With Sony's PS2 launch boasting the most launch titles ever for a console release, it could have been quite impressive, but they've had serious problems getting the consoles together, so had a ridiculously short supply for the launch. You won't be able to pick one up off the shelf until way after Xmas. That is not the way to launch a console. This is:

Firstly have a decent number of launch titles, that feature games that people will be familiar with (eg a Mario game) as well as something original to show what the console can do. Let magazines preview these way in advance, but only let them have really impressive screenshots.
In the weeks leading up to the release date advertise on television, maybe using some kind of countdown. Have screenshots in the ad, but only teasers (and not FMV).
On the release day hold events in all major cities in the country, in shopping centres. Have a competition to win one of the consoles, let people play the games. Have demo screens showing future releases. Have special offers for buying from the event. Give money off coupons.
Make sure that you have plenty of consoles.
Leak rumours of a shortage.

I think that the special events would bring people in to see the console for the first time. If you could put on a bit of a show, people will walk away seriously impressed and buy your machine.


I want to see the Gamecube launched like this, but I doubt we'll get anything fresh from Nintendo's marketing people.

How would you launch a new console, if it were up to you?
Mon 27/11/00 at 12:35
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
With Sony's PS2 launch boasting the most launch titles ever for a console release, it could have been quite impressive, but they've had serious problems getting the consoles together, so had a ridiculously short supply for the launch. You won't be able to pick one up off the shelf until way after Xmas. That is not the way to launch a console. This is:

Firstly have a decent number of launch titles, that feature games that people will be familiar with (eg a Mario game) as well as something original to show what the console can do. Let magazines preview these way in advance, but only let them have really impressive screenshots.
In the weeks leading up to the release date advertise on television, maybe using some kind of countdown. Have screenshots in the ad, but only teasers (and not FMV).
On the release day hold events in all major cities in the country, in shopping centres. Have a competition to win one of the consoles, let people play the games. Have demo screens showing future releases. Have special offers for buying from the event. Give money off coupons.
Make sure that you have plenty of consoles.
Leak rumours of a shortage.

I think that the special events would bring people in to see the console for the first time. If you could put on a bit of a show, people will walk away seriously impressed and buy your machine.


I want to see the Gamecube launched like this, but I doubt we'll get anything fresh from Nintendo's marketing people.

How would you launch a new console, if it were up to you?
Mon 27/11/00 at 13:14
Regular
Posts: 23,216
Possibly with a lot of dynamite...

BOOM!

Look at it go!

(Or perhaps, not.)

If it were down to me, I would make sure there are VERY good games in the line up. I.E. A REALLY good platformer (Mario then), a REALLY good shooter, (After Dark?), a REALLY good racer (Err, Mario Kart?), obviously Zelda, err, I am thinking first and second party here, by the way. Jet Force Gemini 2 would be great. Some kind of Starwars game, Rogue 2 hopefully.


So lets see. My first, second party game line up for Gamecube.

Mario.
Zelda.
Smash Brothers.
Mario Kart.
After Dark.
Star Fox. :)
Metroid.
And Rogue 2, although it is third party. But pretty specialised, anyway.

Add that to the third party games coming out, and I'll be very happy.
Mon 27/11/00 at 13:33
Regular
"smile, it's free"
Posts: 6,460
Well, I would release my console called Emitgnola, and I would run an advertising campaign which always finished with the phrase "To be this good takes Emitgnola"
Mon 27/11/00 at 13:44
Regular
Posts: 23,216
Where've I heard that before?... :)
Mon 27/11/00 at 14:56
Regular
"Copyright: FM Inc."
Posts: 10,338
And most importantly of all, we would have a worldwide release, all the time zones at the same time, and the console would be priced so that everyone paid the same amount relative to their standard of living, the price wouldn't be based on current rates of exchange. And it would be called Im:engine, would cost £250 everywhere, come with 10 games at launch, 4 controller ports, two pads, a memory card, NO DVD PLAYER or any peripheral that couldn't be used for gaming, and have a Radio connection to the internet (no wires).

"Imagine what you could do with an Im:engine" would be the slogan.
Mon 27/11/00 at 14:57
Regular
"Copyright: FM Inc."
Posts: 10,338
and a free Lightgun with any purchase of 4 games at a time in one go....
Mon 27/11/00 at 15:05
Regular
Posts: 23,216
Which can be used with Silent Scope, which would be a change...
Wed 29/11/00 at 00:08
Posts: 0
I'd get in my RS Turbo convertible with me bit-of-cheese in the front and me bit-of-cheese in the back. Phat bass dub booming through me sub woofa for miles around. Then I'd speed from town to town spreading the word. Then I'd probably go to Millenium and make a tw@ of meself. Aiyii!
Wed 29/11/00 at 00:23
Posts: 0
Millennium, i'd want it to have dolby suround sound speakers as well.
Wed 29/11/00 at 10:09
Posts: 0
It shall be so, why not make it dubly?

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