the arcade's did have a price drop around that time discounted if not RRP and it was taken by MS

they atleast had a cash-back and giftward offer too in many regions

I remeber the 1 month cashback promotion only in US in November of last year. But the price stayed the same. 

Certtainly here in UK it was £159.99 all the way through the PS3 Slim launch. And we got no cashback either.

both were good launches!

Wait, let me get this straight.  Because you have "proof" that 100 stores broke the street date, you have named it the "official" release week.  You do realize how many retail stores there are in America, right?  Just in the US, Wal-mart (including Sam's Club) had 4,227 stores in 2008.  A number that has surely grown since then.  Add in the number of Targets, as well as other stores who kept the street date,  and that number is probably something like 10,000.  This isn't even counting the other territories in America, but I'll use that number anyway.  So, because maybe 1% of stores released early, this will be it's release to you?  That just reeks of bias. 

But hey, I guess it's your thread so you can do as you wish, but it just means less people are going to take them seriously.  And If you are going to stick with the official release date for EMEAA and Japan, then this launch is definitely going to pale in comparison to the PS3 Slim launch.  I mean that's 419K for those two regions.  I'm going to guess 360 S gets ~ 100K  for those 2 regions combined.

Walmarts are starting to filter them into the stores as they wear out their older model supply... so expect a jump again  maybe a little on this week and more on next week... Walmart can make a major impact when it comes to deal plus many of the people looking for one at gamestop will move their purchase to walmart

not a fair comparsion 360 selling 150$.

ps3 clearance was 299$ for the 80gb ps3 399$ 160$. either way by the month end ps3 will likely have a edge because ps3 got huge boost in all 3 regions.

including japan.

I never claimed it official. Dont put extra words in my friend.

And whether you like it or not. You could pick up a PS3 Slm on August 25th. There is nothing you can say that will ever change what actually happened. 

But surely even you see the problem with admitting the bulk of stores werent selling a product, yet using the conveniently lowered numbers due to the aforementioned scenerio to tout the sales of the xbox slim in comparison

Go ahead and maybe use 6 weeks of comparison, but even then youre talking about a difference in it being closer to holidays last year, different bundles, theres still just no way to compare straight slim launches.

Even with all of this different variables and your numbers twisting to try to make it Xbox > PS3 but in the end there are too many variables being price cut, price of entry, time of year, economy, breaking street dates.....this is why analysis isnt done week over week when these variables pop up....but alas i understand you needed to seize this opportunity of spread out launch because if you waited for the logical way of comparing the 360 wont be near the ps3, so i guess it makes sense as to why you ignored logic and made this thread.

1. How do you know I want be continuing this?

2. Logic at no time have I said this is a straight comparison. Hence the discuss part at the end of the OP?

3. IMO it's impossible to say 1 against the other. 

4. Ive simply defended my decision to keep August 25th for US PS3 Slim numbers. I have not said what is or isnt a better launch. Thats for you guys to discuss. But I wont change the date because for all we know it could be 800 stores that broke the deadline. Noone really knows how many, so with that it's completely unfair to not include August 25th for America. 

5. Continue to discuss all the variables without everyone posting butthurt comments about dates. 

I will continue to monitor the weeks to come for everyone as well. 

:D man this thread is gonna be even better than the AW best gfx thread...posted to keep track in the future, GL Selnor