In a conversation with my esteemed collegue, JP, he forwarded me to this lovely news item. Interesting news item, but how does that make me feel - check out the extended news below and find out...

This news gets a resounding "meh" from me. MS has managed to boost its console shipments almost six months after launch - and yes I know they said that they would. Honestly, they have a target goal of about 6 million units by June, maybe... Assuming they can get the consoles into stores - maybe they are removing them from Japan and the other areas where they just are not selling. I mean who is this lack of hardware hurting? The consumer - maybe, but probably not since they can simply spend thier hard earned dollars on upcoming titles for legacy consoles. Its not like there is not a plethora of fine games coming out that will run on PCs, Xboxs, and PS2s. Furthermore, I am willing to bet Sony will sell more PS2's with the launch of Kingdom Hearts 2 than MS will get Xbox360s shipped this month. Okay maybe that is a h8a talking, but the simple lack of hardware is a joke. It hurts the guys who make the games, but not the console maker. Not that I feel pity for EA, but the lack of hardware has to be taking a bite out of thier plans (and the plans of other developers) for each quarter and makes it more difficult for them to allocate funding for some of these titles. I mean the news is out there. Now the instant defense here is that the PS3 is vaporware and will cost more - maybe, but until it shows up in US markets this is all speculation. The lack of 360 hardware is a reality and in my opinion is not a way build a brand. Even if I had the time and disposable income to spend on a 360, I cannot obtain one without preordering through Gamestop or EB - and that means waiting - and waiting. I am a card carrying member of the immediate gratification age and the hype is wearing thin. Will the PS3 have similar problems? Who knows - probably, but I am sure they are watching the situation with MS and trying to learn from these lessons.

For me its always been about access and games, and this year has plenty of games that will play on legacy consoles and my PC. I don't need the new hardware to play many of these games, but had I wanted it - I cant get it, and to me that is an unsuccessful launch. Maybe those crazy cats over at Nintendo will be the big launch for this year with the Revolution. But for me, I will continue to wait for the next generation to arrive and in the meantime play on the consoles I currently own.

Tim the GamingSignal Curmudgeon

Posted by Tim at Tuesday March 21, 2006 - 10:12 AM | TrackBack (0) | Category: Crunchy Curmudgeony Goodness | © 2006 Gaming Signal

A little Curmudgeon-y, but good points all.

I definately agree that lack of HW is hurting the dev's but its not like no XBOX 360's are going out. They are, just in smaller shipments that are still mostly fulfilling backorders. But the fact remains is that the ship/train is moving forward.

Kevin hit me up yesterday with his disbelief in the whole Xbox Gamerscore thingy but I still say I like it. I squealed like a little girl a few nights ago when I finally beat Muhammad Ali in Fight Night 3 and unlocked my next to last "achievement" for that game in the Xbox Gamerscore thingy.

Yes it's "gimmicky" but it is a tangible reward for effort spent in a game which is something I feel missing from a lot of games out there. Fight Night I think lends itself to the gamerscore better than other games though. I could care less about gamerscore acheivements in games like Geometry Wars or even Call of Duty 2 because just walking across a line on the ground in COD2 can get you points, but when you defeat a tough opponent in Fight Night 2 or DOA4 there is a real sense of acheivement, and a nice reward that others can see that you have met.

My gamer score is 2675 and I plan to elevate that more tonight. Talking with other gamers on Xbox live "in-game" chat I get the feeling that they dig it too. I hear a lot of talk about it, but of course owners of the system have already swallowed the proverbial "hook", so I admit bias.

360 is just fun, it's my favorite console I have ever owned. Even more than the NES.

JP, your Gamerscore is embarassing for a 360 owner! Get to work!

Posted by Trent on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 10:58 AM

d00d, only a person with deflated sense of self worth measures themselves by thier Gamersk0r3. N00b!!! My l33t sk0r3 is s0 much high3r, and i pwn j00...

Posted by on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 11:33 AM

I respect how you view Gamerscore Trent, but here is a guide from Gamespot to give yourself 6000 the easy way. Heck a few game rentals and you could be the Gamerscore master...

Posted by Tim on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 11:43 AM

Yeah Tim, I see your point, but I see that as "gaming the system" of which I am not. I am just playing the games and receive the acheivements as they come. The desire is not to get a high score, I just like that you actually get something tangible for your efforts. Its not the "mecca" of game scoring for sure.

Oh, and Mr. Anonymous... show me your l334 Gamertag score to prove me wrong. Oh, but then you would no longer be anonymous would you?.?. chicken... nancy boy... your anonymous mother has the intelligence of shrubbery and smells of elderberries!

Posted by Trent on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 1:16 PM

That news item sounded awful familiar, I wonder where I read it from... I bet I read it from my favorite signal site -- GamingSignal.com. I remember now, it was part of a comment to another article. I guess no one ever read those comments...

Posted by Peter on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 4:44 PM

Mr. Anonymous, if one measures one's self-worth by one's XBOX Gamescore and the two are inversely proportional, does that mean that my sense of self-worth approaches infinity as I strive to keep my score perpetually at ZERO??

Posted by Peter on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 4:49 PM

Um Trent - that was me, but I still think you are compensating for some low self esteem. Oh and JP is a GamerScore slacker...

Finally, my mom does not smell of elderberries - its strawberries and stinkweed... Sheesh some people!!!

Posted by Tim on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 4:50 PM

The news article in question was sent to me by JP, but it was all over the game and gadget websites yesterday....

Posted by Tim on Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 8:28 AM

Me have low self esteem? I have to CARE what others think to have low self esteem.

Look in to my eyes... see the caring....

Posted by Trent on Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 2:18 PM

I see something... Hmm looks like a black void where you sould should be... Awww crudbunnies now I am going to have to go out and buy you a new one.

Posted by Tim on Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 3:13 PM

Crudbunnies?

LOL! I'm going to steal that one.

Posted by Trent on Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 3:53 PM