WW UP 3rd September (Update: Software UP!!)

[Reasonable]

Darth Tigris said:

thismeintiel said:

Darth Tigris said:
Still don't see MS fulfilling the bravado about being #1 worldwide this year without a price cut. The economy is still shaky enough in the US that it won't offset the differential in other regions for the holiday or the rest of the year. A Lego Cowboys & Aliens + Tetris Kinect bundle won't either.

I fully expect them to fall back on "We meant US only."  I mean, they weren't too specific on what region/regions they were talking about IIRC.

No, they always specifically said "worldwide".  Emphasized it even.  And it was never stated as a goal, it was stated as volition.  Of course I haven't heard anything since SW Kinect got delayed, which HAS to change projections, right?  Wrong.

August NPD PR (bold mine):

"Xbox 360 maintains its lead over the current-generation console market, selling more units in the U.S. than any other console for 14 of the past 15 months. Sustained consumer demand for Xbox 360 and Kinect have helped the console maintain its number one spot in 2011, proving that consumers continue to recognize the excellent value and amazing games and entertainment experiences delivered by Xbox 360. With an exciting holiday sales season coming up, marked by blockbuster game titles and great new hardware offerings, we continue to expect this to be the biggest year in Xbox history, and the distinction of being this year’s best-selling console worldwide."

So you tell me.  What do they know that we don't, because I personally can't see anything OTHER THAN a price cut possibly doing that?  I'm a 360 fan, but c'mon.

They could have a variety of strategies in place, ready to escalate depending on sales trends.  For example rather than cut price permenantly they could just offer insane deals that are the equivilent of a huge price cut to drive a big spike for holidays.  They could chanel stuff a bit in addition (they all do at times so this isn't MS only and take this the right way, it's a way companies squeak sales forecasts at times an all electrical goods companies do it) and they could push another huge marketing blitz.  Again, you can force sales with enough marketing and particularly in US that remains an option.

It's going to be interesting to watch unfold, that's for sure.  I have no doubt Sony and Nintendo also have marketing/promotional plans to spike sales so it's going to be a hard fought end of year.