Why Microsoft won't launch their new console in 2012

[Jay520]

superchunk said:

Jay520 said:
@Superchunk

This isn't 2006. Microsoft was almost forced to launch before the PS3 due to the extreme power of the Playstation brand and the equally miniscule Xbox brand. The 360 would have had a tough time competiting with the PS3 for that reason.

Fast forward five years and the Xbox brand is on par with the Playstation brand, some could make the case that it's bigger. Microsoft doesn't need to launch before Sony, they already have the brand power AND much higher 360 sales compared to XB sales. They could ride the high success of the 360 next year, remain on par with Sony, and then release the Xbox3 in 2013.

BTW, "anyone who thinks the PS4 will launch after 2013 is delusional?" Hmmm.. That's almost as controversial as your assertion that "You're not a real gamer if your not excited for the 3DS."

If the world was only the US, then you're argument would make sense. However, in most of the world PS has already beat out 360 by a large number. MS knows as much as most of us do that next gen we won't see a PS4 that is $200 more than its nearest competition. Therefore they will want to have some advantage of PS beyond strong US sales. If a 2012 launch is possible with some key titles, it will surely happen.

Okay, with the chances of being called delusional, I'll still continue.

My argument still makes sense. The PS didn't beat out the 360 by a "large number." I don't know how you came to that conclusion

The XB is hugely popular in Americas, and it's on par with the PS3 in EMEAA. How far is the 360 behind in EMEAA? About a few million units, I think. So yeah, my point still stands, they're still on par with the PS Brand there and could do well if they wanted to launch head to head with the PS4.

You must be using Japan when drawing your conclusion that the 360 is lagging by a "large number. " Honestly, I doubt they really care about that region, certainly not enough for it to impact their launch decisions. They should just focus all their resources on EMEAA and the Americas, or in other words, everywhere except Japan.


As for the comment about them needing an advantage over the PS4 (assuming it is cheaper this time), I will repeat, they don't need an advantage. The XB is as strong as the PS brand, or at least, ON PAR as proven by my preceeding paragraphs.

It just doesn't seem likely that they'll release in 2012. With Halo the Xbox 360 still having record breaking months this year posting huge profit with no price cut, and then considering what they could do next year - price cut, Halo 4, GTA 5 - the 360 will still be posting huge profits, it's not very feasible to release the 720 next year, when they still have a LOT of oppurtunity with the X360. With the Xb brand being on par with the PS brand, a 2013 is perfectly reasonable, probable.

I've responded to the quotes in my previous post.