After seeing Sonys launch, I now believe the global launch isn't a good thing for all companies. For MS and Nintendo, they could of done better by doing a staggered launch.
Microsoft:
US: Launch first on the same day/period as they did, but route all of the systems to the US. This would of given MS about 60k more systems via Japan and 200-250k systems via Europe in November. Also, this would of given them around 60k from Japan, and another 190-250k from Europe. This would of allowed MS to sell around 500k more systems in the holiday period. MS could of put out 500k more systems than that and still of sold them in Nov-Dec, as there was no word of defects (upto that point), and consumers were still hype-happy with the machine.
Europe: The 360 launched to decent fanfare only to have mediocre sales about 3-4 months in. If MS could of launched in March when GRAW came out, it would of possibly meant holiday-like sales. Sony has proven that you can launch mid-year and do good. If MS would of waited until March, it could of given the US much-needed supply without affecting the Europeans.
Japan: The big MS blunder for global launch. MS basically let 60k unsold systems stay in Japan, when in the US, they would of been bought in about 3 hours. Why was the launch as bad as it was? Games. Pure and simple. Look at the charts when EM and DOA4 came out. They weren't uber-games, but having them at actual launch would of helped tremendously. MS could of sold 90k or more if they would of launched with just these 2 games, and seen bigger sales. Would it mean MS would be 1m units ahead of what it is now? No. But holding it back could of easily given such a horrible system a bit more sales (maybe 50k more than it has as of now)
Nintendo:
Nintendo did what it could as of right now. Sales are great everywhere. However, since Sony delayed their PAL launch, if I was Nintendo, I would of done the same, and moved the PAL launch as well. This would mean 500k more units to a US and Japan that is starved for Wiis. The European demand is there, but I'd rather ratchet up dominance in Japan, and try to make inroads on MS quicker if I was MS....But that's me..
The BIG question about next generation:
If more consoles see global launches, they MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST, increase SUPPLY before doing such! Every system is selling good, yes, but they are all losing sales due to no units being on the shelves. The 360 did great in Nov-Dec because PS3s were to expensive, and Wiis were nowhere to be seen. MS and Nintendo expecially (if they released systems to similar fanfare next generation) need far more consoles at launch. Nintendo could of easily had another 3-5m units in November sold if they had the systems. MS could of sold nearly the same in the US and Europe. Sony did right by the PAL launch - although sales are probably lagging now, they've ALREADY out-sold Japan in a mere 3 weeks. That's uncanny. It's not like the PS3 launch was just mediocre - 600k systems is HUGE for a region that is typically pidgeonholed when it comes to units. Nintendo sends the least of their units here (with good reason due to poor sales, typically), and MS really isn't trying as hard as they should.
So really what we need to see are STRATEGIC launches versus global launches. Each region needs to be analyized about what games they like, their affinity for the system, then referenced with sales. Japan didn't need 120k systems, but the US needed 120k more. Europe needed the delay in the PS3 because demand would of died down quickly (as it has) in January, and would of left Sony with the same numbers of systems sold (as of now), but far less momentum in europe.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
