Many of the people who come to this site are likely influencing those around them through word of mouth, which is one of the most powerful - if not the most powerful driver of sales today. I think the question in the title is even more important now that there has been a price cut announced. Because of that the people in the Microsoft forum are likely to be part of the group that disseminates that information amongst the population of people without 360s.

Theres a bigger piece of the puzzle, and thats the reward you feel that you get for influencing people to buy an Xbox 360. So what does it mean for you when one of your friends/family members, or workmates buys an Xbox 360?

• A sense of community - Do you want others to join the club with you?
• Sharing a good experience you had so that others can experience the same, brings some joy to you?
• Do you feel a benefit personally to others owning a similar system in terms of being able to play games together or even share the same experiences?
• Does it make you feel good about owning an Xbox 360 yourself by relaying that feeling to others?
• A desire to help others?
• Perhaps something else?

Its just interesting that at a time where the interest from the people around you in buying a console is at its highest, when theres a price cut to further increase that interest that perhaps it would be cool to stop and think about your own part in all this. When I talk about the Xbox 360 to others who don't own one but are looking to purchase a console I pretty much run through the whole list of reasons why I feel good doing it myself. Its obviously my own list and you may have other reasons for "spreading the word".

So perhaps you should ask yourself why you do what you do.

• Squilliam is a Microsoft viral marketer - confirmed!

You make it sound like a religion... ugh

Religion is spread like that I know...

I have loved my 360 since launch. The games are amazing, and I have a lot of friends who own 360 and we love Live. With the new improved hardware & price, its hard not to recommend a 360.

When I have friends, co-workers, ect, over, my TV/X360 Elite is the center of the entertainment. When I slap in Gears of War on a 65 inch HDTV, or we sit around busting a gut, while playing 4 player Castle Crashers, or Halo 3...people are sold on it the minute they leave. Throw in an HD downloaded movie off Live, and people are like "Well, that's it, I am buying a 360!".

I had 2 friends who own PS3's, who got a 360 after just seeing me play Lost Odysee. They were old-school RPG fans and fell in love with Lost Odysee from the opening cinimatics and 1st hour of game-play.

I have a Wii too, but most people want to play the 360....cept my wifey, and daughter lol, they love it. As do I, but its....I dont know....a different kind of love.....ya know.....oh well.

The Wii, and PS3 are awesome. But the 360 has been the console for me this gen, hands down.

Depends on if they like it or not. I have recommended 360's to people, PS3's to people, and PC's to people.

It means nothing actually to me if they buy one, I only help them become more informed, and they can buy what they want.

Sadly, the only thing I have recommended of late that turned out bad for anyone, was a 360 :(. A friend of mine had a chance to trade a DS and a bunch of games for a 360, and I told him if it was me, I would do it. He did, and a week later it died. Feel bad about that one :(.

OUCH!!!! I feel the pain, I know that feeling.

But even informing people I find to be its own reward. Maybe I talk too much?

 Basically this. I recommend people get whatever system seems to have the most games that appeal to them. Occasionally this is any given system in existence.

I won't influence my friends and family to buy anything that they can't decide for themselves, I'll only suggest if I really think the product is what they're looking for and will help them. TBH, I think the whole concept of feeling good after getting someone to buy a product made by a favorite corporation is pretty pathetic.

I used to be a sales person, and that was part of the reason why I loved doing it. It was to help people, and there has to be some sort of social reward feeling if you share good times with people.

a paycheck is my reward, seeing as I sell consoles for a living.