Simultaneous World Wide Launch - Good or Bad Idea

[Goblin]

I know that what Microsoft is attempting is some what unprecedented, with launching a system in 3 markets pretty much simulataneously. I've read about people who are complaining about artifical shortages and have all these consipracy theories.

I was thinking about it and a simultaneous lanch is probably the best thing that Microsoft could do. At least in terms of maximizing their revenue. They have roughly a six month window until the PS3 comes out. If they followed a typical launch schedule of the US first and then Japan 3 months later and then Europe 3 months after that, then they would only have the Christmas advantage in a single market. When PS3 comes out, we might see a 360 price drop, so this way they get all the die hards to pay full price and get a nice advantage. Will they have shortages? Yes, but this will increase the hype and by launching in three markets it gives a perfect cover story if the shortages were intentional. It also means less advertising is necessary since the news is picking up the launch story rather heavily.

[Enixis]

I think the launch of the system simultaneously is a great idea! But consider the fact that most launches come with problems - like the first batch of japanese psps had buttons not responding, ps2s giving DRE - it would actually make sense to split the launch schedule in the different regions so as to iron out these problems.
Imagine a mass recall of xbox360s all over the world because they found out that it was not reading half the games, or because the wireless controllers wouldn't respond. That will be a real setback to the company and to the consumers.

[Oobgarm]

The idea itself is a great thing, but in order to have a successful one while keeping consumers happy is to really plan ahead in the production.

[Ulticron]

MS should have planned better for their launch especially since they're taking on the whole world. It's quite possible they won't have their demands filled until the PS3 and Revolution come out.

I honestly can't have sympathy on MS for not having enough consoles out there. They have the money and the man power to get the job done, they just simply haven't gotten it done.

[kevin_psx]

Isn't Nintendo doing the same worldwide launch?

High demand & low supply = high prices = fat wallets at Microsoft & nintendo

[Ulticron]

Posted by: kevin_psx

Isn't Nintendo doing the same worldwide launch?

If Nintendo is doing the same thing I have a feeling they'll try to pull off their worldwide launch a little better. Plus their launch will be in the spring so no holiday crowd to fight with.

[Mayhem]

Nintendo said they are aiming to have the console out in the world within a 14 week window. Not quite as small as Microsoft's here. Plus they will have longer to manufacture it I figure... I bet they are learning from Microsoft's mistakes here.

[Diatribal Deity]

Do you really think Microsoft intentionally is restricting potential sales of their system?

Do you really think they had poor planning and have not thought this whole thing through?

Do you really think they want to flood their servers and deal with numerous complaints?

Do you really think they should have manufactured six million or 12 million or maybe 24 million and risk a little bug or manufacturing defect being present in all of them?

You must be the same people who think that its possible for them to release an operating system with zero bugs.

[njiska]

I too believe that it's a great idea, but one that's hard to implement. Prehaps Nintendo's simultaineous Revolution launch will go better now that they've seen Microsofts mistakes and can hopefully learn from them.

[Kid Ice]

Do you really think Microsoft intentionally is restricting potential sales of their system?.

Intentionally? No.

Do you really think they had poor planning and have not thought this whole thing through?.

Possibly, sure. It is Microsoft, you know.

Do you really think they want to flood their servers and deal with numerous complaints?.

Want to? No. Would? Sure. Microsoft's MO has always been to get as much product out there as possible and deal with bugs and complaints later.

Do you really think they should have manufactured six million or 12 million or maybe 24 million and risk a little bug or manufacturing defect being present in all of them?.

So your premise is that MS wants to ensure every system is of the highest possible quality before getting them out the door? You know MS also makes operating systems, right?

You must be the same people who think that its possible for them to release an operating system with zero bugs.

And you must be the person who thinks its possible for them to release a console with zero bugs, since you are implying they are releasing the system in low numbers so they can perfect later releases.

[DonMarco]

I was thinking about it and a simultaneous lanch is probably the best thing that Microsoft could do. At least in terms of maximizing their revenue. They have roughly a six month window until the PS3 comes out. If they followed a typical launch schedule of the US first and then Japan 3 months later and then Europe 3 months after that, then they would only have the Christmas advantage in a single market. When PS3 comes out, we might see a 360 price drop, so this way they get all the die hards to pay full price and get a nice advantage. Will they have shortages? Yes, but this will increase the hype and by launching in three markets it gives a perfect cover story if the shortages were intentional. It also means less advertising is necessary since the news is picking up the launch story rather heavily.

If anything, it will put pressure on Sony to launch the PS3 as soon as possible in America as they do in Japan. Much like every other system not originating from the US, there's always a window of 4-9 months. The PS2 had a solid year. Even the PSP and DS had a several-month lead on the states. The PSP was launched in Europe like three months ago, right?

Sure the PS3 is mid-2006 by all guesses, but that's JAPAN. We roundeyes might see it in 2006. Might not. That gives Microsoft an even larger window to attract people. Even if the system was delayed by 2 months, or one month, that's one more thing Microsoft did "right".

Do you really think Microsoft intentionally is restricting potential sales of their system?.

Intentionally? No.

The pre-holdiay launch was a good move. I'd expect no less from Sony or Nintendo next year. In about 2-3 weeks, closer to christmas, retailers are going to recieve systems by the truckload. They will also be sold that business day or that retailer will be moved to the bottom of the list for the next truckload restock.

Call me crazy.