I'll always be loyal to Microsoft.

I dislike Apple.
I don't care about Nintendo.
Sony is ok, as long as they are pushing the HD market.


Even if someone gives me free Open Office at my door tonight, I'll go buy Microsoft Office at full price.
Even if they give me free Linux, I'll buy WINDOWS SE7EN on day1. I can't wait.
I'll buy the ZuneHD.
I'll buy the next Xbox.

This won't stop me from buying the competition offering too... just like I bought my PS3.

We (North Americans) should be proud of Microsoft.
Bill Gates is a genius (and I mean it).
He knows how to dominate something, take control and share his personal vision.

Windows forever.
Yes, Microsoft brand loyalty is real.

yea but the Xbox brand recognition still pales in comparison to Playstation and even Nintendo. Not to mention the whole failure rates of the 360 has not done so great for the brand's reception. Could result in the next MS console not even having Xbox in the name.

Of course some loyalty has been gained which is obvious considering they have had some good mainstream appeal. But I doubt there anywhere near the size of that of playstation brand loyalty or Nintendo brand loyalty. Where MS really has made strides is in a loyal core userbase. I give credit mainly to Halo for doing that. Although there is still work to do. Sony's loyal core userbase is massive. Nintendo's loyal core userbase is even larger and probably the largest of any in the industry. Of course they've been around a hell of a lot longer thus it make sense haha. Unfair advantage I guess eh.

So yea MS is making strides to getting there, especially in loyal core userbase, but still a long way to go to catch up to competitors. However, I do think the failure rates on 360 could potentially have hurt that brand.

The difference between the PS2/PS3 and the Xbox 360/next Xbox transitions is that theX360 owners actually have something to lose if they switch to a next-gen non-MS console instead of Xbox 720. They wouldn't be able to keep their so earned achievements and gamescores, which no doubt would affect their choice since they apparently give mindshare to something that doesn't even add anything to their gaming experience (and often hurts it) like achievements..

And I think price isn't much relevant for the "hardcore crowd" (more like "casual crowd" compared to the PC masses) since it doesn't seem to bother them much that they are ripped off into paying subscriptions of Xbox Live.

this was crazy kens PR. Saying that with the name PS3
gamers and devs would flock to the console.
and he also said that the people that still had PS2 will jump
on the PS3 band wagon. well ken was wrong.
all the PS2 games got a 360 a or a wii.

It's quite simple. I would be extremely loyal to the Ferrari brand if I owned one. I can guarantee they would provide me a great car with all the bells and whistles that I could realistically ever want.

However, a Ferrari is certainly too expensive for me. This isn't an actual case of brand loyalty but it emphasizes a very real point.

Price trumps Brand Loyalty. Always.

Sony learned the lesson the hard way from day one and are in the position they are because of it. (Not that I personally mind, the PS3 is an excellent machine).

There is no such thing as BRAND LOYALTY.

Customers will buy whatever system best fits their gaming tastes and wallet size.