The "Xbox Games" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Another day scouring the net, another articles whic has some "interesting points".
All bits to be discussed will have a * beside them. I know I copy and paste alot of stuff from other sites instead of writing my own but who cares. Anyway.
"The head of Microsoft Corp's year-old video game business said on Wednesday he is confident a raft of new games and the launch of online gaming will jumpstart sales of its market-trailing Xbox console.*
For J. Allard, general manager of Microsoft Xbox, the optimism comes amid mounting pressure to boost sales. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Tuesday added pressure on the unflappable Allard, saying he "expected" Xbox to overtake Nintendo** ( news - web sites)'s GameCube to become Europe's second-best selling console.
Mantis-Over take Nintendo, thats blasphemy to some people. :P
To do so, Microsoft would need to have a banner Christmas. The veteran console specialists Nintendo said last month it expects to have shipped three million units to retailers by year-end while one leading research firm, ScreenDigest, estimates Microsoft will only sell 1.3 million Xbox units this year.
Sporting an earring and close-cropped, bleached white hair, Allard, gave no hint that the pressure of being the new guy in the most competitive video game console market ever is getting to him.
"Europe is a key territory for us," Allard said in addressing reporters and games developers at Microsoft's annual trade event in the ancient Anadalucian city on Wednesday. Rattling off a series of new titles, which will bring the total games catalog to nearly 200 by year-end, Allard said, "We think it's going to be a very successful Christmas for us, a green Christmas."
BACK OF THE PACK
According to multiple market research groups, Microsoft trails rivals Sony Corp ( news - web sites)'s market dominant PlayStation 2 ( news - web sites) and GameCube, which holds a slender lead, in Europe.
Microsoft has not released a sales update for Europe, sticking with its previous forecast of selling nine million to 11 million units world-wide by end of its fiscal year in June, 2003.
While demand for Xbox remains strong in the U.S., the largest video game market, the product has had a disappointing start in Europe since launching in March.
With early Xbox sales sagging below expectations in Europe, the company instituted back-to-back price cuts in the spring and summer, a move that appears to be reviving demand but deepening per-unit losses.
Industry estimates peg Microsoft loses between $76 and $150 on each Xbox sold. The product carries a suggested retail price of 249 euros in Europe and $199 in the U.S.
One area Microsoft feels it has an edge is with online gaming. Equipped with a hard drive and broadband ready, the Xbox is the only "off-the-shelf" unit to be built for multi-player online gaming.
On November 30, Microsoft will launch in Germany, the UK and France its pilot program for Xbox Live, its online gaming platform. A commercial launch for five other Western European countries, including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, is slated for March 14.
ONLINE AMBITIONS
Microsoft has said online gaming is a major part of its strategy to make money out of its loss-making games arm as it looks to derive additional revenues by charging gamers subscriptions for multi-player action.
Allard said he is encouraged by the early demand for Xbox Live. More than 200,000 gamers around the globe have requested to participate in the early phase testing of the service, he said. Allard added that on November 15, the launch day of Xbox Live in the U.S., Microsoft will be able to handle 400,000 simultaneous online users.
But he cautioned online gaming is a longer-term market prospect, one that might not hit mainstream for another three years when more homes are connected to high-speed broadband Net access.*
Mantis-Long term prospects, XboxLive compatable with Xbox2 etc?
"Xbox and Xbox Live is a 20-year dream. ***It will be a journey to get there," he said. "We're willing to be patient."
Mantis-MS are here to stay methinks.
In response, Sony is expected to announce next month its plans for a European online gaming service for its PlayStation 2.
A recurring theme of this week's trade event in Seville is that Microsoft remains committed to the video game industry, taking the offensive against skeptics that frequently point out the market has never been able to support three consoles.
Allard even hinted about the timing of Microsoft's next console launch. In response to a reporter's question, Allard said Microsoft doesn't intend to play "catch-up" when the new consoles hit the market in a few years.***************
Sony has said its next-generation PlayStation console will debut in 2005 for certain markets. Allard responded, "One thing we've learned is they won't get a head-start next time. I'll leave it at that."**********
Mantis-Ohhhhh next next gen wars. MS and Sony fight it out proper, PS3 no head start!
"The company also reiterated its long-term stance when it confirmed on Tuesday it had purchased independent British games developer Rare Ltd. for $375 million in cash. Allard would not rule out further acquisitions.******
MS on a developer shopping spre? Rare the first of several?
That should give us all something to do.
All bits to be discussed will have a * beside them. I know I copy and paste alot of stuff from other sites instead of writing my own but who cares. Anyway.
"The head of Microsoft Corp's year-old video game business said on Wednesday he is confident a raft of new games and the launch of online gaming will jumpstart sales of its market-trailing Xbox console.*
For J. Allard, general manager of Microsoft Xbox, the optimism comes amid mounting pressure to boost sales. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Tuesday added pressure on the unflappable Allard, saying he "expected" Xbox to overtake Nintendo** ( news - web sites)'s GameCube to become Europe's second-best selling console.
Mantis-Over take Nintendo, thats blasphemy to some people. :P
To do so, Microsoft would need to have a banner Christmas. The veteran console specialists Nintendo said last month it expects to have shipped three million units to retailers by year-end while one leading research firm, ScreenDigest, estimates Microsoft will only sell 1.3 million Xbox units this year.
Sporting an earring and close-cropped, bleached white hair, Allard, gave no hint that the pressure of being the new guy in the most competitive video game console market ever is getting to him.
"Europe is a key territory for us," Allard said in addressing reporters and games developers at Microsoft's annual trade event in the ancient Anadalucian city on Wednesday. Rattling off a series of new titles, which will bring the total games catalog to nearly 200 by year-end, Allard said, "We think it's going to be a very successful Christmas for us, a green Christmas."
BACK OF THE PACK
According to multiple market research groups, Microsoft trails rivals Sony Corp ( news - web sites)'s market dominant PlayStation 2 ( news - web sites) and GameCube, which holds a slender lead, in Europe.
Microsoft has not released a sales update for Europe, sticking with its previous forecast of selling nine million to 11 million units world-wide by end of its fiscal year in June, 2003.
While demand for Xbox remains strong in the U.S., the largest video game market, the product has had a disappointing start in Europe since launching in March.
With early Xbox sales sagging below expectations in Europe, the company instituted back-to-back price cuts in the spring and summer, a move that appears to be reviving demand but deepening per-unit losses.
Industry estimates peg Microsoft loses between $76 and $150 on each Xbox sold. The product carries a suggested retail price of 249 euros in Europe and $199 in the U.S.
One area Microsoft feels it has an edge is with online gaming. Equipped with a hard drive and broadband ready, the Xbox is the only "off-the-shelf" unit to be built for multi-player online gaming.
On November 30, Microsoft will launch in Germany, the UK and France its pilot program for Xbox Live, its online gaming platform. A commercial launch for five other Western European countries, including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, is slated for March 14.
ONLINE AMBITIONS
Microsoft has said online gaming is a major part of its strategy to make money out of its loss-making games arm as it looks to derive additional revenues by charging gamers subscriptions for multi-player action.
Allard said he is encouraged by the early demand for Xbox Live. More than 200,000 gamers around the globe have requested to participate in the early phase testing of the service, he said. Allard added that on November 15, the launch day of Xbox Live in the U.S., Microsoft will be able to handle 400,000 simultaneous online users.
But he cautioned online gaming is a longer-term market prospect, one that might not hit mainstream for another three years when more homes are connected to high-speed broadband Net access.*
Mantis-Long term prospects, XboxLive compatable with Xbox2 etc?
"Xbox and Xbox Live is a 20-year dream. ***It will be a journey to get there," he said. "We're willing to be patient."
Mantis-MS are here to stay methinks.
In response, Sony is expected to announce next month its plans for a European online gaming service for its PlayStation 2.
A recurring theme of this week's trade event in Seville is that Microsoft remains committed to the video game industry, taking the offensive against skeptics that frequently point out the market has never been able to support three consoles.
Allard even hinted about the timing of Microsoft's next console launch. In response to a reporter's question, Allard said Microsoft doesn't intend to play "catch-up" when the new consoles hit the market in a few years.***************
Sony has said its next-generation PlayStation console will debut in 2005 for certain markets. Allard responded, "One thing we've learned is they won't get a head-start next time. I'll leave it at that."**********
Mantis-Ohhhhh next next gen wars. MS and Sony fight it out proper, PS3 no head start!
"The company also reiterated its long-term stance when it confirmed on Tuesday it had purchased independent British games developer Rare Ltd. for $375 million in cash. Allard would not rule out further acquisitions.******
MS on a developer shopping spre? Rare the first of several?
That should give us all something to do.
If Microsoft go on to buy other developers, it'll be interesting to see who joins up next. :-)
Doesn't look like it will anyway, or even get proper posts either by the looks of it.
hmm actually i don't want this whole topic to degenerate into a whole load of posts about "chewing" all cos of me...
beanz wrote:
> mmmm quite chewy...i quite like the texture...
Not me, the damn stuff got stuck in my teeth!
> mmmm quite chewy...i quite like the texture...
Not me, the damn stuff got stuck in my teeth!
mmmm quite chewy...i quite like the texture...
Another day scouring the net, another articles whic has some "interesting points".
All bits to be discussed will have a * beside them. I know I copy and paste alot of stuff from other sites instead of writing my own but who cares. Anyway.
"The head of Microsoft Corp's year-old video game business said on Wednesday he is confident a raft of new games and the launch of online gaming will jumpstart sales of its market-trailing Xbox console.*
For J. Allard, general manager of Microsoft Xbox, the optimism comes amid mounting pressure to boost sales. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Tuesday added pressure on the unflappable Allard, saying he "expected" Xbox to overtake Nintendo** ( news - web sites)'s GameCube to become Europe's second-best selling console.
Mantis-Over take Nintendo, thats blasphemy to some people. :P
To do so, Microsoft would need to have a banner Christmas. The veteran console specialists Nintendo said last month it expects to have shipped three million units to retailers by year-end while one leading research firm, ScreenDigest, estimates Microsoft will only sell 1.3 million Xbox units this year.
Sporting an earring and close-cropped, bleached white hair, Allard, gave no hint that the pressure of being the new guy in the most competitive video game console market ever is getting to him.
"Europe is a key territory for us," Allard said in addressing reporters and games developers at Microsoft's annual trade event in the ancient Anadalucian city on Wednesday. Rattling off a series of new titles, which will bring the total games catalog to nearly 200 by year-end, Allard said, "We think it's going to be a very successful Christmas for us, a green Christmas."
BACK OF THE PACK
According to multiple market research groups, Microsoft trails rivals Sony Corp ( news - web sites)'s market dominant PlayStation 2 ( news - web sites) and GameCube, which holds a slender lead, in Europe.
Microsoft has not released a sales update for Europe, sticking with its previous forecast of selling nine million to 11 million units world-wide by end of its fiscal year in June, 2003.
While demand for Xbox remains strong in the U.S., the largest video game market, the product has had a disappointing start in Europe since launching in March.
With early Xbox sales sagging below expectations in Europe, the company instituted back-to-back price cuts in the spring and summer, a move that appears to be reviving demand but deepening per-unit losses.
Industry estimates peg Microsoft loses between $76 and $150 on each Xbox sold. The product carries a suggested retail price of 249 euros in Europe and $199 in the U.S.
One area Microsoft feels it has an edge is with online gaming. Equipped with a hard drive and broadband ready, the Xbox is the only "off-the-shelf" unit to be built for multi-player online gaming.
On November 30, Microsoft will launch in Germany, the UK and France its pilot program for Xbox Live, its online gaming platform. A commercial launch for five other Western European countries, including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, is slated for March 14.
ONLINE AMBITIONS
Microsoft has said online gaming is a major part of its strategy to make money out of its loss-making games arm as it looks to derive additional revenues by charging gamers subscriptions for multi-player action.
Allard said he is encouraged by the early demand for Xbox Live. More than 200,000 gamers around the globe have requested to participate in the early phase testing of the service, he said. Allard added that on November 15, the launch day of Xbox Live in the U.S., Microsoft will be able to handle 400,000 simultaneous online users.
But he cautioned online gaming is a longer-term market prospect, one that might not hit mainstream for another three years when more homes are connected to high-speed broadband Net access.*
Mantis-Long term prospects, XboxLive compatable with Xbox2 etc?
"Xbox and Xbox Live is a 20-year dream. ***It will be a journey to get there," he said. "We're willing to be patient."
Mantis-MS are here to stay methinks.
In response, Sony is expected to announce next month its plans for a European online gaming service for its PlayStation 2.
A recurring theme of this week's trade event in Seville is that Microsoft remains committed to the video game industry, taking the offensive against skeptics that frequently point out the market has never been able to support three consoles.
Allard even hinted about the timing of Microsoft's next console launch. In response to a reporter's question, Allard said Microsoft doesn't intend to play "catch-up" when the new consoles hit the market in a few years.***************
Sony has said its next-generation PlayStation console will debut in 2005 for certain markets. Allard responded, "One thing we've learned is they won't get a head-start next time. I'll leave it at that."**********
Mantis-Ohhhhh next next gen wars. MS and Sony fight it out proper, PS3 no head start!
"The company also reiterated its long-term stance when it confirmed on Tuesday it had purchased independent British games developer Rare Ltd. for $375 million in cash. Allard would not rule out further acquisitions.******
MS on a developer shopping spre? Rare the first of several?
That should give us all something to do.
All bits to be discussed will have a * beside them. I know I copy and paste alot of stuff from other sites instead of writing my own but who cares. Anyway.
"The head of Microsoft Corp's year-old video game business said on Wednesday he is confident a raft of new games and the launch of online gaming will jumpstart sales of its market-trailing Xbox console.*
For J. Allard, general manager of Microsoft Xbox, the optimism comes amid mounting pressure to boost sales. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Tuesday added pressure on the unflappable Allard, saying he "expected" Xbox to overtake Nintendo** ( news - web sites)'s GameCube to become Europe's second-best selling console.
Mantis-Over take Nintendo, thats blasphemy to some people. :P
To do so, Microsoft would need to have a banner Christmas. The veteran console specialists Nintendo said last month it expects to have shipped three million units to retailers by year-end while one leading research firm, ScreenDigest, estimates Microsoft will only sell 1.3 million Xbox units this year.
Sporting an earring and close-cropped, bleached white hair, Allard, gave no hint that the pressure of being the new guy in the most competitive video game console market ever is getting to him.
"Europe is a key territory for us," Allard said in addressing reporters and games developers at Microsoft's annual trade event in the ancient Anadalucian city on Wednesday. Rattling off a series of new titles, which will bring the total games catalog to nearly 200 by year-end, Allard said, "We think it's going to be a very successful Christmas for us, a green Christmas."
BACK OF THE PACK
According to multiple market research groups, Microsoft trails rivals Sony Corp ( news - web sites)'s market dominant PlayStation 2 ( news - web sites) and GameCube, which holds a slender lead, in Europe.
Microsoft has not released a sales update for Europe, sticking with its previous forecast of selling nine million to 11 million units world-wide by end of its fiscal year in June, 2003.
While demand for Xbox remains strong in the U.S., the largest video game market, the product has had a disappointing start in Europe since launching in March.
With early Xbox sales sagging below expectations in Europe, the company instituted back-to-back price cuts in the spring and summer, a move that appears to be reviving demand but deepening per-unit losses.
Industry estimates peg Microsoft loses between $76 and $150 on each Xbox sold. The product carries a suggested retail price of 249 euros in Europe and $199 in the U.S.
One area Microsoft feels it has an edge is with online gaming. Equipped with a hard drive and broadband ready, the Xbox is the only "off-the-shelf" unit to be built for multi-player online gaming.
On November 30, Microsoft will launch in Germany, the UK and France its pilot program for Xbox Live, its online gaming platform. A commercial launch for five other Western European countries, including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, is slated for March 14.
ONLINE AMBITIONS
Microsoft has said online gaming is a major part of its strategy to make money out of its loss-making games arm as it looks to derive additional revenues by charging gamers subscriptions for multi-player action.
Allard said he is encouraged by the early demand for Xbox Live. More than 200,000 gamers around the globe have requested to participate in the early phase testing of the service, he said. Allard added that on November 15, the launch day of Xbox Live in the U.S., Microsoft will be able to handle 400,000 simultaneous online users.
But he cautioned online gaming is a longer-term market prospect, one that might not hit mainstream for another three years when more homes are connected to high-speed broadband Net access.*
Mantis-Long term prospects, XboxLive compatable with Xbox2 etc?
"Xbox and Xbox Live is a 20-year dream. ***It will be a journey to get there," he said. "We're willing to be patient."
Mantis-MS are here to stay methinks.
In response, Sony is expected to announce next month its plans for a European online gaming service for its PlayStation 2.
A recurring theme of this week's trade event in Seville is that Microsoft remains committed to the video game industry, taking the offensive against skeptics that frequently point out the market has never been able to support three consoles.
Allard even hinted about the timing of Microsoft's next console launch. In response to a reporter's question, Allard said Microsoft doesn't intend to play "catch-up" when the new consoles hit the market in a few years.***************
Sony has said its next-generation PlayStation console will debut in 2005 for certain markets. Allard responded, "One thing we've learned is they won't get a head-start next time. I'll leave it at that."**********
Mantis-Ohhhhh next next gen wars. MS and Sony fight it out proper, PS3 no head start!
"The company also reiterated its long-term stance when it confirmed on Tuesday it had purchased independent British games developer Rare Ltd. for $375 million in cash. Allard would not rule out further acquisitions.******
MS on a developer shopping spre? Rare the first of several?
That should give us all something to do.