ruff_romeo said: I think MS need to focus more of their attention in the whole of Europe, rather than indulging in their continued success in the US ONLY. I don't think it's UK that is their main issue, I feel that it is most likely the rest of Europe as a whole that they need to work on. I guarantee that there is a whole lot of untapped people in Europe, which can fairly easily be won over if the right marketing campaign is executed. I bet there are many people in Europe that barely know anything about the Xbox 360 and what it offers. In addition, I have this strange feeling that Europe is general may have more PC gamers than console gamers? Maybe? I am merely speculating when I say that? But what do you think? PLEASE NO BASHING/TROLLING, ETC. I MERELY WISH TO KNOW PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS ON THE MS'S SALES PERFORMANCE IN EUROPE, WHAT THEY MUST DO TO CHANGE THAT, AND WHAT FACTORS ARE AFFECTING THEIR DOMINATION THERE? DO YOU THINK NATAL CAN CHANGE ALL THAT SINCE WII HAS DOMINATED EUROPE FOR A LONG LONG TIME, AND IN TERMS OF THE HD SIDE, HAS PS3 HAVE THE UPPER HAND DUE TO THEIR VALUE BLU-RAY PLAER? CAN PUSHING MORE AAA EXCLUSIVES SWAY EUROPE IN GENERAL TOWARDS MS MORE?

To be quite honest, and not present a “rose-colored” glasses outlook…I think Xbox 360 is doing a great job in Europe as a whole.  I’m sure the market research guys looked at the opportunities that present itself in that region, and were probably not looking to DOMINATE against Sony and Nintendo…that’s unrealistic, as those companies have LONG entrenched experiences in those regions.  The goal was to establish a strong beach head in the region, to serve as a platform to springboard and grow on, and that’s been accomplish.  I think Natal might present an opportunity to get some deeper penetration into the market, if presented correctly, but really, the push is going to be on the next generation, imho.

halogamer1989 said: Yes MS needs to do more in Europe. With the "luxury" taxes included, 360s are really expensive in Europe and the PS3 looks like a better all-inclusive product to many at the register. MS needs a relaunch in Europe. Hopefully, the 360+ (or whatever Redmond is calling the slim nowadays) will do the job.

well if its a better all inclusive product why doesnt it outsell the xbox by a massive margin each week? and what do you mean about tax all consoles are taxed at the same amount

MS is doing enough for Europe.. the Xbox Arcade is litteraly half the price of the PS3 300 euros PS3 vs 150 euros Arcade.. But most west-Europeans (or atleast Dutch consumers) are very picky and therefor actually research the machine..

I met a mother and her kid didn't know if he wanted a Wii or PS3, his mother knew that the Wii could not do higher resolutions but had more split-screen games and PS3 had better online support and was a great blu-ray player..

sure it's nothing compared to what we know.. but an average mother?

MS just needs to put out other things then Shooters wich they are doing now thankfully (alan wake, SC:C (its more action/stealth) and Forza 3. Europeans like shooters.. but with shooters only you won't get the market.

i love xbox360 said: halogamer1989 said: Yes MS needs to do more in Europe. With the "luxury" taxes included, 360s are really expensive in Europe and the PS3 looks like a better all-inclusive product to many at the register. MS needs a relaunch in Europe. Hopefully, the 360+ (or whatever Redmond is calling the slim nowadays) will do the job. well if its a better all inclusive product why doesnt it outsell the xbox by a massive margin each week? and what do you mean about tax all consoles are taxed at the same amount

I didn't say it was "better" but it has a increased perception of value in Europe.

To completely dominate in Europe MS needs to throw EA some cash and make the FIFA series exclusive to 360

that'll sell 360's like hot cakes over there!!

it looks like you accidently pressed caps lock about half way through the article and ran with it lol

ramses01 said: The reality is that the relative value of the markets is more or less as follows. US - 10 UK, Canada, and AUS combined - 6ish Continental Europe - 3ish Japan - 3ish and declining

 

You do know that continental europe is bigger then UK Canada and Australia ? Not only from the population and economy but also for the gaming market. There is no point in comparing 100 Million people to 400 Million people. Especially when the economy of the 400 Million people is so much bigger. 

 

You should change the grades. I mean UK is big but Canada and Australia are both smaller then France or Germany and then there is Spain Italy Portugal Austria Netherlands Switzerland Belgium Denmark and many more Continental Europe is significantly bigger then UK Canada and Australia.

DirtyP2002 said: You can't see Europe as one market. They will beat Sony in UK, the by far biggest market here. They will probably beat them in Scandinavia as well. Continental Europe is a tough one. Sony will win here. Sony spends 45 million Euro per year to be a partner of the UEFA Champions League, the biggest club football (you know, the real football. The one you actually play with your feet ) tournament in the world. And they are promoting Playstation since 1997. The brand recognition is huge. One game is broadcastet live in more than 90 countries. This is a huge deal and being the main-sponsor for 13 years is something. The Champions League Final has almost as much viewers as the Super Bowl. So I think MS did a great job to be as close as they are. Winning UK, a football-loving area, is awesome.

Well, Super Bowl is the biggest event for Gridiron football, so you need to compare it to biggest Association football event - Football World Cup.

"The World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 final."

"With an average US audience of 106.5 million viewers, Super Bowl XLIV was the most-watched Super Bowl ever. An estimated 153.4 million total viewers watched all or part of the game."

715.1 million vs 153.4 million - you can do the math.

 

Cos, topic is about Europe let's look at biggest Europe football event - UEFA Euro Cup.

"more than 150 million live viewers for each of the 31 matches. The final was seen by as many as 279 million viewers"

It's like 30 Super Bowl games + 1 final game twice as big as Super Bowl XLIV.