THIS is why I hate those X-Box people

[OB1]

From GAF:

In an interview with Canada.com, Robbie Bach (the man responsible for the Microsoft Xbox video game system, including the hardware, Microsoft and third party games development, Xbox operations, marketing, research, sales and support) answered some questions about the Xbox and its future. Here's some comments that stand out:

- Says Canada and Australia are currently the best markets for Xbox, saleswise.

- Says that Microsoft could turn a profit immediately on Xbox, but will remain in the red for now, as the Xbox is a 10-20 year investment.

- Claims that most Xbox owners have also owned competitor's consoles, but MS is looking to expand the gaming market to lure in more people.

- States that MS hasn't successfully marketed to certain demographics, but items like the Music Mixer and other non-gaming features might attract new users.

- Thinks that games can be combined with music and movies to "lead to new things."

- States that updates to the online service will disallow cheaters and hackers from accessing the Live network.

- Says that the Xbox followup console will ship around the same time as the PS3, because "Sony will not have the benefit of a 12 to 24 month head start" like they did with the PS2.

- In reference to a possible Xbox portable, says that the focus is on the Xbox console for the time being.

- Believes that MS will be positioned to be number one in the next generation of console sales.

- Says that Gates and Ballmer are happy with where the Xbox is currently, as they knew it was a long-term investment going in.

- Admits that Xbox is not as successful in Japan as they would like it to be, because Japan is a crucial market, but is pleased to be equal or surpassing Nintendo at this point.

- Could not comment on whether N.U.D.E. is coming stateside.

This is a rather lengthy piece, but if you're interested in checking out the full interview, click here. Happy reading!

Source: Canada.com

Posted by pizzicato on 5.26.2003

What the fuck?? They are "pleased to be equal or surpassing Nintendo at this point"?? The X-Box is way behind the Gamecube in terms of hardware and software sales in Japan! Why would they say something so blatantly wrong?? You can look at the sales charts at Magic box and see that every week the Gamecube has sold at least ten times the number of units than the X-Box. I don't get it.

[Great Rumbler]

Well the first of the sentence is talking about Japanese sales, but the last part could be about worldwide sales.

[The Former DMiller]

I tried to find some way that statement could be misread, but I can't see it meaning anything other than Xbox is doing just as well as Nintendo in Japan. That's as blantant a lie as I've ever heard. Nintendo may not be doing well saleswise, but I'm sure everyone admits they are killing MS in Japan.

[Great Rumbler]

Yeah, the latest hardware charts have the GC down for 8000 units while the Xbox pulled in a paltry 900 units.

[Private Hudson]

No, I'm pretty sure he meant it along the lines of

"We are glad that, despite doing poorly in Japan, the XBox is equal or surpassing the GameCube in sales"

As in.. worldwide. Remember that that's just an annoted summary of what he had to say, so some details were lost.

[OB1]

But that's not true. The X-Box is selling much better than the Gamecube worldwide, not "equal or surpassing".

[Private Hudson]

Well no-one really knows for sure, do they? Though, it's pretty much a given that the XBox is selling a little more (as long as you do take Japan into account), which is why he also said "surpassing".

[OB1]

They're selling a lot more systems worldwide, even when you take Japan into account.

[Dark Lord Neo]

I didn't know Canada was one of the best areas for X-Box sales, damn Canada

[Geno]

Believes that MS will be positioned to be number one in the next generation of console sales.