How did Microsoft manage to lose themselves the console war? They launched a year early, with no competition, with a good price, a lot of games and yet they still find themselves in 2nd place and quickly approaching 3rd place? They were up against a PS3 which had a terrible launch year and terrible all-round life until recently with the release of its first high profile exclusive. The PS3 had a huge price at launch and yet during this year, has consistently outsold Microsft's console, which should be peaking this year, with the Wii and PS3 just starting to get into their stride. Where has it gone so wrong?

I think it is amazing how after having such a handicap they have fallen. Opinions welcome.

I think microsoft have done really well.

I didnt expect to be on track to sell like 30-40mil units.

It just seems like they have done poorly because of th success of the Wii and PS3.

Please define how a console loses the console war for me?

A console loses the console war by coming last. Microsoft is currently on track for last place. Need I elaborate further?

More like how Sony did it.

Microsoft did nothing which was their downfall.

The game cube came in last but it was still profitable unlike the original Xbox or PS3. Thats success, is it not?

Coming last. So you mean, having sold less consoles? Then you mean to say that you believe they will lose by the end of the generation? As opposed to they have already lost themselves the war? Since they are not currently 3rd place in your definition of losing

Simple.

They went up against consoles called the PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii.

The PS3 is seen as the "all round" console with the widest range of games and the best multi-media capabilties ever seen for a console as well as a vastly improving online which will soon over take XBL as soon as 2.4 comes out.

The Wii is seen as the "fun" consoles which attract the generations who are casual gamers. They may not have the best of anything (graphics, online etc.) but they have the price advantage and the "fun" factor.

The 360 is seen as the "hardcore" console which attracts the shooter crowd. If you look at their "BEST SELLING EXCLUSIVES" you will see the majority of them are serious shooters (Halo and Gears).

The 360's best selling games are mainly FPS's or TPS's
- Halo 3
- Gears
- Bioshock
- COD 2
- COD 3
- COD 4
- Perfect Dark Zero

The PS3's however

- MGS4 (Stealth Action) - PS3
- GT5P (Racing) - PS3
- Uncharted (TPS/Shooter) - PS3
- Ratchet & Clank (Platformer) - PS3
- Resistance (FPS) - PS3
- Motorstorm (Off Road Racer) - PS3

Well, you sure as throwing the words success around pretty easily in regard to the PS3.

According to expectations, it's a failure.

It's also on track to pass the 360 in about 3 years time, despite being the console god last generation, even more dominant than Nintendo is now.

Over the last 5 months, the PS3 has gained some momentum, but to group it together with the Wii as something that makes the 360 look like crap when you compare them.

I could say, for instance:

It just seems like Sony has done poorly because of the success of the Wii.

or I could say

It just seems like Sony has done poorly because of the success of the 360 and the Wii, as in both 360 and Wii performed much better than their last generation counterparts.

Both of those sentences would make perfect sense, so while Microsoft lost the war this gen, certainly, they won a significant foothold in the market.

How did they lose for certain?

Red Ring of Death. Obviously.

Console wars are for FanBoys (like us lol), not the companies. When interviewed initially regarding getting the X360 out first, MS stated that establishing themselves, while building a large game library and turning a profit was a key to being successful. MS has proved they are successful and doing well.

They have erased over 700 million of the 3+ Billion they lost last gen, since October 2007. So, for the war, they are losing their lead, but as a company, MS has done nothing, short of spectacular. If Sony pulls ahead in 2009, but at that time has lost over 4+ Billion, and is still not in the black, I can tell you they will be less than thrilled.

Nintendo is just rocking it, so we don't need to elaborate. Lets hope all 3 companies continue to sell well and Sony begins to turn a profit. All these awesome games regardless of system owned, is great for us. Isn't it about time we started thinking about our needs lol.