Why do systems launch in November compared to old systems?

[dbiersdorf]

What is it with systems these days that they are always released in November? After seeing the confirmation of the SNES release it really got me wondering. The Dreamcast, Super NES, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Genesis (?), and plenty others have always been released in months like September, hell even August. But ever since the PlayStation 2, systems have always been released in November.

From a consumer this bugs me because it always seems like it's more hectic to get the system then it should be, because it's so close to the holidays. I'd much rather prefer that companies release the system in August/September so the hardcore gamers can get in on the action, and then the company shipping a second shipment sometime in late November. While camping out is fun and all, it can get a little over whelming.

What do you guys say?

[kainemaxwell]

Likely cause November is when companies are gearing up their big guns for the Christmas season. Supply and demand and all that good stuff.

[doomedpeasant]

Likely cause November is when companies are gearing up their big guns for the Christmas season. Supply and demand and all that good stuff.

Yup exactly thats the main reason is because of the holidays.

[Joker T]

But ever since the PlayStation 2, systems have always been released in November.

PS2 came out in October I think.

Unless you mean that was the last system to come out before November.

[doomedpeasant]

PS2 came out in October I think.

Unless you mean that was the last system to come out before November.

Actuall yeah it was October 26 I believe.

[zerohero]

I love it, they all launch right around my birthday, so I have an excuse or reason to get it every time ;).

[vincewy]

No, the problem is, none of them can match the demand in the Nov-Dec period, remember last year? MS could've sold couple more million units if they had as many as they could sell. The dry spell extended well into Feb, what a joke.

IMO, system launch in Nov-Dec is a very bad idea, if launched in summer (even Sept), companies can catch up and meet the demand.

[PapaStu]

Retailers only make about 20-25% of their entire yearly sales (and profits) in the first 3 quarters of the year. If businesses have a few bad 4th Quarters they are basically dead. And as thus, the Xmas season is where they need the sales so often all the big demand stuff comes out then.

[kainemaxwell]

No, the problem is, none of them can match the demand in the Nov-Dec period, remember last year? MS could've sold couple more million units if they had as many as they could sell. The dry spell extended well into Feb, what a joke.

IMO, system launch in Nov-Dec is a very bad idea, if launched in summer (even Sept), companies can catch up and meet the demand.
But here's the thing, wmost people, even kids, aren't inside playing video games during the Summer. Spet seems more resonable (long as its not a surprise launch like the Saturn).

[mailman187666]

i think a november release for systems pisses people off. I remember pre-ordering several xbox 360 to ensure i got one and i had to get my money back from several different places and ended up having to go to the store at 4:30 am. I know i get pissed when they do it right b4 x-mas because it never meets the demand and everybody has to pay for retail bundles or argue with people in line and whatnot. Just give us the damn system in september THROUGH november and make sure there is plenty of software before x-mas and they would make all thier money off the games alone. Also little 10 yo Billy won't be let down at x-mas time when the parents have to give him an IOU because they didn't wanna camp out in front of a store. I don't see how releasing it in november will make the company any more money than if they were to sell it a few months earlier.

[roxybaby]

I think the companies are running on the half-cocked idea that when demand outweighs supply, sales will increase.

Say you were thinking about buying a PS3/Wii/whatever, but weren't ohmigodding over getting it right away. But then, you hear that stores are only getting 3 or 4 units so only a select few people will get it. Maybe now you want one more just so you can say you got it. It becomes a bragging rights thing. It's very short-sighted IMHO but it pays off for short-term profits.

[vincewy]

No, the problem is, none of them can match the demand in the Nov-Dec period, remember last year? MS could've sold couple more million units if they had as many as they could sell. The dry spell extended well into Feb, what a joke.

IMO, system launch in Nov-Dec is a very bad idea, if launched in summer (even Sept), companies can catch up and meet the demand.
But here's the thing, wmost people, even kids, aren't inside playing video games during the Summer. Spet seems more resonable (long as its not a surprise launch like the Saturn).

That was the point, if a system is launched in the summer, many players wouldn't mind waiting til holiday (Nov-Dec) and companies will have at least 2 months to boost productions to feed the holiday frenzy, I thought system launch in Nov is almost complete waste of time/effort.

[Ed Oscuro]

But then they've wasted hype (and money) advertising a launch well before the Christmas season, time they should've spent making sure the console was as modern as possible and polishing up game code.

[sayin999]

This occurence is really happening due to these new systems being finished up and shiped out till the very last minute. Xbox 360 was rushed to launch. Microsoft then made it a world wide launch so the system would be avaliable in all regions on launch day. Ps3 itself is still being finalized as we speak, though elements of it have already been manufactured.

Plus dont forget they are also trying a world wide launch. Wii itself they are pretty much done with the hardware but they now need to figure out how to price it and what should come with it, so they are using sept as the month where they have a final decision.

So the major reason is that this generation most of these consoles are being finalized at the very last minute. Since the market is now stronger in the U.S., they are also trying to shortan the gap between foreign and U.S. release.

[nate1749]

Yeah I think they'd ideally have the launch time be when the system is really ready to be released, however, it's probably extremely hard to gauge initial progress of system developement to plan accurately.

My guess is like the 360 probably should have been released in feb of 06, but they instead threw a bunch of people on OT and rushed it to get it in November.... I mean Microsofts strategy seems to be just release something now and we'll send out patches and fixes along the way... seems to have worked well enough for them thus far.

You're kind of thinking they have the system all ready to rock'n'roll in sept., and just the marketing dept. has convinced them to hold off till nov.

Perhaps they're under the impression that releasing in sept., doesn't really influence sales at all and it would be better for them to put those 2 extra months into development of the system itself... just a thought.

Nate