Microsoft Corporation Makes Yet Another Xbox One Blunder

Is Microsoft trying to sabotage its own console? The announcement that the company is scrapping eight countries from the Xbox One launch date – along with its other Xbox missteps – might make you think it was.

[andreasx]

This is gonna loose MSFT a huge amount of customers, even devs are getting upset with them.

[cleft5]

It is, but I do feel sorry for the people in those countries that where eagerly anticipating the console. The Xbox One isn't for me, but I know a lot of folks liked the Microsoft exclusive games and I feel bad for them that they either will have to figure out some sort of import solution or wait a decent amount of time for the 2014 release.

[tokugawa]

hold on, has mariahelfutura changed "its" name to nature of logice by chance?????

[ginsunuva]

There are people out there eagerly anticipating this thing?

[TekoIie]

If you want one you can import from another country thanks to the removal of region locking.

So its a bit more inconvenient but not impossible to get your hands on one :)

[JokesOnYou]

I think its still launching in more countries than 360 did.

If I were micro Id focus on bigger markets where they have more support too. Who cares if sony gets a "big" lead in a country that bought less than 1mil 360's last gen, its unfortunate for those fans but an early 2014 launch is hardly going to kill the hopes and dreams of all 5 people desperately waiting in Siberia.

btw how many countries are sony launching in?

[Freedomland]

@JokesOnYou

Here they are losing 75% of Europe and 100% Asia and you say it doesn't matter. Seriously mate.

[JokesOnYou]

Freedomland
lol, they are launching simultaneously in all the countries they did well in with the 360.

Those countries not part of the launch have not significantly contributed to total install base and even less to significant game sales.

Not 1 ps4 or X1 has been sold yet.

....but you say "Here they are losing 75% of Europe and 100% Asia"

-How do you know this? Doesnt that just means sony will have a headstart on install base basicly by diehards that are going to buy a ps4 over X1 anyway? with likely a few on the fence who can't wait?...diehards xbox fans will buy X1 whenever it launches. Longterm the vast majority of casuals are going decide later when both are avalilable. How can you lose a 100% in Asia before you launch? Wouldn't a significant portion of that same tiny percent actually bought a 360 buy an X1 whenever it launches= same tiny percent that you had, give or take a tinier percent.

lmfao, Please show me where you got your numbers???

[jackanderson1985]

i doubt it'll cost them a huge amount of customers as currently over 52mil of their 78mil sales of the 360 come from North America and the UK.. i can see maybe at most 1 or 2 mil customers being affected if they were changing from 360 to x1 and even then i doubt all of them will go oh no slight delay screw this.

Sony also hasn't mentioned which countries it's launching in so these ones could also be skipped over by Sony

[jimsas]

Finally Someone talking sense ....

[gaffyh]

They shouldn't have announced it in the first place if they weren't going to be able to deliver. It shows that they were trying to cram any announcement they could into E3 as possible in order to undo the damage they did at their reveal. It is also very bad for the company's image, it's the equivalent of telling someone they're hired, only to call them the next day and say they didn't get a job.

[devwan]

@jackanderson1985 "Sony also hasn't mentioned which countries it's launching in so these ones could also be skipped over by Sony"

All you need to do is go to Sony Europe's version of their PS4 site in each of the regions and see if you can pre-order the machine for 2013, then you'll have some kind of picture of where it will be launched (I've done this). Of course it's no guarantee, but a good indicator I believe.

Countries like Portugal and Luxembourg that weren't even on microsoft's original 21-country list allow pre-orders for 2013.

Others such as Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia and Greece only have info and links to YouTube etc., so it's unlikely these countries will be 2013, but not impossible (maybe they just don't have a suitable infrastructure to offer it for these places or they are not seen as places where pre-orders are the done thing).

But then, even some smaller countries such as Croatia are reported to be allowing 2013 pre-orders in local currency through the usual official distributors, so a 2013 launch may be even more widespread than my searches have suggested, and then whether these are all due on the same day in October/November is doubtful, but some time pre-holidays more likely.

Also, India, South Africa and UAE versions of Sony ps4 site also only link to information, not a pre-order option.

[ShwankyShpanky]

No, they'll lose a chunk of those US/UK sales because the PS4 is coming out first there as well. Might not be a big chunk, but a chunk nonetheless. (and yes, there are US/UK 360 buyers that were so put off my MS's actions over the past few months that they'll be going PS4 regardless)

[Mystogan]

I am curious to know how many countries the PS4 is going to launch in. People are already criticizing Microsoft for this yet we don't even know about the PS4 launch markets.

[andreasx]

The reason MSFT had to delay the xbone is because they were caught with their pants down by sony with the februar reveal and holiday launch. MSFT started developing the xbone in 2010, while sony started back in 2008. To put it simple, sony had the element of surprise and MSFT has to rush the xbone out of the gate to even compete with sony. They simply aren't ready to release this year.

[n4rc]

There isn't really one fact supporting your statement..

Microsoft is using custom hardware while Sony is off the shelf parts.. It would be the other way around if ms was rushed into releasing it before they wanted

[DevilishSix]

n4rc you are WRONG and andreasx is RIGHT. It is well documented around web Sony had a couple year head start. Next time n4rc don't open your mouth when you don't know what your talking about.

PS4 development started in early 2008 per M. Cerny.

X1 started development in late 2010.

http://www.theguardian.com/...

http://www.gamespot.com/new...

[Mystogan]

Xbox one development started waay before 2010. I think just a few years after the 360.

The DESIGN started in 2010. get your facts straight.

[HAL_Kn0wZbest]

Folks should have worried why they had 8 more than 13 in the first place. That would have been the most so far compared to Xbox 360 and PS3's launched markets, 13 is still more than this Generation.

So if anything as long as those 13 consists of the strongest markets there isn't any worries. It's only a big deal for those who want to use this as an argument point, when it's a moot point either way.

[Nocando]

It's "lose", not "loose". Tired of seeing that from others as well.

[Psn800]

Not at all really all the major gaming countries are getting release dates in 2013 like N,America & the Uk .

[BallsEye]

What are you talking about? Devs are now extremely happy, especially indie ones since MS give access to anyone to dev tools and every xbox one can be used as dev kit. About console not releasing in other countries OFFICIALLY devs couldn't care less. Why? I remember very well times when 360 was released only in few countries in europe but on release date you could get in ANYWHERE at basicly same price because shop owners import them before the release date (they can do that as re-sellers). Trust me you'll be able to get it anywhere.

[Belking]

lol..how is that a blunder. xbox360 had the same type of launch. As a matter of fact xbox360 has the record of launching in 36 countries it's first year. No other console has done that. All these n4g troll articles are just hilarious. Stay classy now.

[avengers1978]

How does the 360 launch help the XB1... So they made it to 36 countries then, this time around its 13, pretty big drop off

[GribbleGrunger]

They released in 36 countries with the 360 and now 13 countries with the X1. Doesn't that tell you something?

[GribbleGrunger]

Don't reply to me, reply to the person spreading false information. All I'm guilty of is believing him on those numbers. My questioning of his logic would still stands though because he believed the numbers himself but never considered the implications.

[Bigpappy]

Gribble you did play that well. But the fact is M$ is doing the right thing. Why send thousands of consoles to Japan so people can just spray disinfectant on them. All the while they are sold out in North America and U.K, with demand still very high. Not only that, these are the places where most of the 360 games are sold and would benefit from the features they included.

[devwan]

@Bigpappy "Why send thousands of consoles to Japan"

Sending consoles to Japan was never in their plans. The issue is the reasoning behind reducing a 21-country launch to a 13-country launch.

That could be manufacturing issues leading to less stock than anticipated, or it could be a decision to try to flood markets where they know they have a better chance to sell units, or it could be a combination of these and /or something else entirely.

[JokesOnYou]

GribbleGrunger
"They released in 36 countries with the 360 and now 13 countries with the X1. Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Don't reply to me, reply to the person spreading false information. All I'm guilty of is believing him on those numbers." 

-lol, So you help spread false info but you are not part of the problem? I'm no moral police, we all make mistakes but your reaction is so convenient and comical considering how quick you were to join the negativity. You're responsible for your own comments, I get it you listened to his BS but when its proven false and you immediately point the finger instead flat out admitting YOU made a mistake and then maybe explaining why... so to use your line -Doesn't that tell us something about you?

[GribbleGrunger]

Clearly you have a problem following logical thinking so I'll put it in a way you may understand:

Tom has 4 marbles in his left pocket and 4 marbles in his right pocket. How many marbles does he have?

If you answered 8 you are spreading false information because he lied, he had 2 marbles in his left pocket and 2 in his right pocket.

Who is in the wrong? The person who provided the false numbers or the person who answered based on the false numbers?

I'm sure even you will be able to understand that. I've always apologised when I've made a mistake and I've even bubbled people up when they put forward a good counter argument, regardless of which company they supported. This is not one of those situation.

[JokesOnYou]

Problem with your analogy is nobody ASKED you how many countries they released in unlike a clear math QUESTION, lol nobody put you on the spot, asked you anything, NO you jumped into the conversation as if you knew his unsourced info was fact and then you went further by implying a negative impact on sales based on false information.

So the correct analogy is if I "heard" that your mom&pop local store was going out of business and you are filing for bankruptcy, and I without confirmation I spread this false info to everyone in town only to learn later its was not true. Given that I am just a local citizen and have no burden of responsibility its not illegal but it would certainly be unhelpful and unappreciated by you. What makes it worst is when you knock on my door and tell me to stop spreading false info about your business I just say "hey buddy its not my fault I just told people what I heard." *Notice I failed to say "I heard" to the people I pased the info to. *Also notice I point the finger again instead of saying, "my bad".

Now again I will say I've made similar mistakes, we all do, doesn't make us bad folks, just imo you handled it wrong after the fact but hey its the internet and I'm being a bit too serious. I prefer jokes.

[GribbleGrunger]

Oh bloody hell. Ok, so I'll concede perhaps I did jump in too quickly and I definitely should have checked the facts. For making me feel humbled, I'll give you a reluctant bubble. And I'm sorry for patronising you.

Bubble (well said)

[JokesOnYou]

Thankyou, I wasn't looking for any bubbles, but I appreciate it none the less, what's cool to me is that you simply acknowledge your mistake. No matter how much we may disagree on different gaming topics at the end of the day, as a guy who has been humbled plenty I really do respect that.

[HammadTheBeast]

Here's the thing.

Playstation is a much bigger brand than Xbox.

Xbox 360 was a great stroke of luck for MS. They had a whole year to themselves to get the majority of sales, and launch buyers. The had a much lower price throughout the Gen, and could afford to do price drops much more frequently.

Sony screwed up massively, and they payed for it.

But this time around, the tables have turned, and if you look at the signs, MS is doing the EXACT same things that Sega did to lose them market share.

Sure, MS has deeper pockets. But how much can they afford to spend on one division? Windows 8 isn't doing great, their mobile market has pretty much flopped, and Apple is kicking them hard.

[GribbleGrunger]

Yep, MS have deep pockets but share holders have a firm grip of their wrist.

[jackanderson1985]

you're spot on about the PS being a bigger brand then the Xbox but i honestly believe MS have given up hope with Japan and Asia... they had abysmal sales there and it's pretty evident they're primping up the US market above all else (they made 45 of their 78mil sales their so understandable)

only thing i think you missed was their mobile market is oddly expanding ha they increased by .7% to leap over blackberry (not great but making headway in a market dominated by apple and android) although that Surface tablet was a bad move

[Sitdown]

Ummm, I thought Sega's lost of market share was due to the 32x debacle, leading to the failed Sega Saturn with the quick release of the dreamcast that lacked 3rd party support especially from EA sports while Sony got everyone to drool over the ps2 (dvd drive included) . Did I miss something?

[s8anicslayer]

They just should've waited to release the console until everything was ready to go. All the BS Microsoft was getting prior to the 180 forced them to change everything on the One. Microsoft is scrambling trying to get everything ready for the 13 launch markets by November and it shows that they're frantic, and I'm sure Steve Balmer is lighting fire under their asses and the whole Xbox camp is uneasy because of the stress and pressure. I don't know what the future holds for the Xbox one but it will be interesting to see how this upcoming generation plays itself out.

[HiddenMission]

You do realize that last gen is very different than the next gen.

1. Wii U is expected to sell an additional 5 to 6 million units this year with a lot of good software...this was not an issue last gen for the XBOX360.

2. The XBOXONE is not getting a year head start.

3. The XBOXONE is the most expensive console that will be on the market where as the XBOX360 was cheaper than the PS3.

4. The XBOXONE is launching at roughly the same time as the PS4.

5. Pre-Order numbers show that XBOXONE is between 3 and 8 times the number of units behind the PS4.

6. Consumers are still confused about what really is being offered with the XBOXONE but have a better idea of what they are getting with the PS4.

7. There will be more PS4's on shelves during the holidays than XBOXONE's and at a $100 cheaper price will get bought before the XBOXONE.

There are just some of the reasons that the XBOXONE and the XBOX360's launches are radically different. Launching in a lot less regions does matter because if you don't remember a lot of gamers picked up 360's because there was nothing new on the market for year...

Edit: Reply to jimsas
I'm sorry you can go to Amazon, Gamestop or any other site and look at the TOTAL pre-orders and figure the math for yourself. I won't be doing it for you lol.

Really you need a document to show you that consumers are confused about what the XBOXONE offers...it's called the web have you been on it lately...

I mean really you don't have to look far to see pre-orders are radically in PS4's favor and you go on an site with regular consumers or hell walk up to a parent who has kids and ask them what is the XBOXONE...bet you $50 bucks they will say kinect and games...

[jimsas]

Show me the stats that show the Xbox One is 3-8 times behind in Pre orders , is it 3 or is it 8 or is it a made up number in between.
Show me a document that states consumers are confused by what is being offered by Xbox one or is that one made up too...

[Sitdown]

Show me proof of #6....with 4 months to go, a lot of people are clueless about both systems and what they are offering.

[HiddenMission]

@Sitdown

Here is an easy example Jessica Chobot who works in the press industry and even she is still confused about the features...you may not like her but she is better educated than the casual consumer and that is what I'm talking about right here...

Watch the vid and you'll see the part...I'm not going to rewatch it just for you...or to prove a point.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Saddam_hussein]

Ya need a different hobby kid.

[devwan]

@jimsas Look at the chart at the bottom of my blog, figures are 2 weeks old but they're about the only pre-order stats anyone has to work with:

http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...

[gaelic_laoch]

Get outta here.......Really!!!!! LMAO

[FlameHawk]

So they delayed the Xbox One in other markets so the 13 countries could get more Xbox One's while the other 8 get none until 2014? Awesome.

[avengers1978]

For America and the uk could get more, I don't think there giving more to any other country

[JoySticksFTW]

I think MS' choice was to either downclock for better yield (that's if you believe it's really hardware issues as rumored), but couldn't due to ps4 specs. Or to put up with lower yield and the delays.

Can't say MS made the wrong choice here. It sucks but if they can avoid a RROD scenario, they'd better. It does give Sony an advantage though, and brings X1 hardware reliabity into question.

[BattleTorn]

What's with the title in the source article?

"Sony Corporation (ADR) (SNE): Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Makes Yet Another Xbox One Blunder"

Usually a colon ("Sony: title") indicates these are Sony's comments on the subject.

Only thing remotely Sony related was:

"Somewhere, a group of Sony Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) executives is laughing."

Why put them in the title then? Why make it seem like they are saying these things?

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Come on...I think you know why its titled they way it is. ;)

[No_Limit]

Is NatureofLogic the new MariaHelFutura?

Wow, how many more anti-MS article can one find and submit in a day?

insidemonkey??? You can't make this thing up.

[Saddam_hussein]

Here's a tip

They are the same person..

[Darrius Cole]

That's not necessarily a blunder. We don't know how many units they will have ready for sale or how many will be sold in each territory. This move may keep them from falling behind in the 13 territories that they launch from first.

[GryestOfBluSkies]

it may be the right decision for them, but its still a business blunder. never over promise

[Hicken]

So instead of falling behind a bit in 13 countries, they'll fall behind COMPLETELY in 8.

Makes sense.

[HiddenMission]

Actually I've seen the allotment emails to retailers from both Sony and MS and I can tell you it's 10 XBOXONE's for every 25 PS4's...and that is in the US alone.

The writing is on the wall and I'm still confused as to why individuals pretend like it's not clear...MS is way behind and the race hasn't even really started...

[ConwayGritty]

Who is posting this garbage. There are honestly like 5 of these article here.

[Funantic1]

Yep. A lot of duplicates

[solidworm]

This time will be remembered as Microsofts Waterloo. They may never come back from this whole debacle.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Um. No.

If MS can make it through RROD this is nothing.

Does anyone have the complete list of territories Sony has confirmed it is launching in? Ah, yup.

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

The third console curse, just dropped Microsoft's health. .. er.. I mean sales by half haha

[iistuii]

Leaving out the countries that sell the least to get more consoles to the countries that support them the most. If they are struggling to do a complete worldwide release, this makes total sense. UK & US are the biggest Xbox markets, so give them more & scrap the likes of Japan till 2014, sensible practice.

[MadMen]

They need to toss countries they cannot penetrate, Japan etc.

Its good business sense. Remember Xbox is under new leadership as long as they get all planning done before launch, all will be fine, its changes after launch that will cause real issues.

They only have one move they really need to make, 399.99.

[jimsas]

Bo*ll*cks !!
These comments are becoming ridiculous and an excuse / bait for 12 Year old Sony fanboys to bash the Xbox One.
Microsoft has bent over backwards to accommodate what the consumers are asking for and just keep on getting knocked for it by what basically amounts to a set of idiots who think they can help Sony sales and promote the as yet unreleased PS4 (See above posts for examples)
I'm buying an Xbox One and thats it - My reasons are simple - I'm after a next generation console and for me the One ticks all the boxes.
Microsofts Azure platform is the only one able to deliver a well established cloud platform , and no i don't believe cloud computing will be the next big thing for computing in games however i do think it will lead to better online gaming by way of dedicated servers something Sony is unable to offer.
Also I'm a fully grown man and want to use my box for things other than gaming and on that front the microsoft box delivers too with a HDMI in (something i think has great potential).
And so what if the PS4 is negligibly more powerful ( cue idiots comments "its actually 3000%` more powerful my pet dog told me so .." i honestly couldn't care less, I play games not CPU's and GPU's ( or I'd build a gaming PC that would blitz both).
i could write a whole essay on you idiots but i can't be bothered - if you want a ps4 ,buy one its that simple, but don't think by bashing Microsoft's offering you're gonna affect sales , Microsoft is a juggernaut with loads of cash and great IP's sure they've made a couple of errors with the Ones marketing but right now they're listening to their fanbase and doing all the right things and we'll see who comes out on top - fast forward five years and we'll see, because the trash talking five and twelve year olds tend to make the loudest noise but in the end spend f*ck all the smart people ( and the people who can vote with their wallets ) will make the right choices and the machine that offers the best features / most forward thinking / and genuine next gen USP's will do well , all the others trash talking idiots buy a Ps4 and enjoy your slightly upgraded ps3 graphics and games for the next ten years.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Just buy what you like. Few if any listen to any commenter on N4G. What is posted here means nothing. Otherwise MS would have been blown out last gen with all the Xbox article trolling that has gone on the last 7 years (I've seen it all first hand).

What MS is doing here makes sense to me. I'd like to see it launch worldwide in all countries but it's not going to happen and launching in 36 countries for MS didn't really extend some huge lead for them. I think they've learned from the last launch.

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

You sure do mention twelve year olds alot... should I be worried? ..
... worried that you're a twelve year old that is. ;)

[jimsas]

Only worry about saving Your pocket money for Your PS4.
....And actually I'm 13

[HiddenMission]

@jimsas

You sound like this guy but defending XBOXONE lol

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[DomceM]

@jismas

" could write a whole essay on you idiots but i can't be bothered "

actually you are the idiot because of this line right here: "And so what if the PS4 is negligibly more powerful".

The difference isnt negligible. Obviously you dont understand hardware if you believe what you wrote. The GPU on PS4 is going to whoop MS in the nuts.

GLHF with your overpriced/underpowered system.

Also... you are a tool for supporting anti-consumer companies.

Peace.

[sic_chops]

@jim I think you are the one bending over, not Micro$haft. Only a 12 year old will post a pointless rant like that for no reason. Unless you are so butthurt that your precious console of choice is having a rough time at the moment. "slightly upgraded ps3 graphics > weaker xboxone

[TXIDarkAvenger]

MURICA

[ElementX]

Both companies were a little too ambitious when they announced their consoles. MS said they'd release in more countries than they are capable of and Sony basically said they'll have enough consoles for preorders however they had to end preordering.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Saying that MS is "scraping" eight countries implies the console will never launch in those regions.

It also shows that the author is not familiar with the launch of previous consoles, which had similar distribution troubles.

[Gardenia]

Doesnt really matter. Europe is more PS than Xbox anyway

[Supermax]

N4g at its best lizard lick

[Gamer666]

So if they released x1 in those regions and the localization of speech did not work, people would call it a blunder. They choose not to release an unfinished product and people call it a blunder.

I bet if the ps4 was delaying 8 regions, the headline would be something like "Sony takes the high road rather than releasing an unfinished console". The article would go on to say MS would've released the console and fixed it later.

In fact, Sony is doing something like releasing an unfinished product in some regions. My understanding is that the Ps store is not available in all countries, and apparently that makes it impossible to join Psn plus in those countries. Which means that the multiplayer games requiring psn plus won't be available to these gamers.

[urwifeminder]

Its coming here so im happy don't care what other people play.

[BurnedCorn]

Xbox One is All about Quality. Thats why Xbox One is Better than P$4.

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

you really have THAT little of a life that you make alt accounts just to troll? lmao XD

[BurnedCorn]

????

[Phils_Libra]

Sounds like they've had to delay manufacturing due to all the 180's they've been announcing since E3. They are probably now tweaking and testing the system hardware and software later than anticipated which would result in less time to manufacture prior to launch. Cutting releases to counties where the system is expected to be least popular makes sense albeit to the disappointment of those in those countries who've already pre-ordered. Overall though, I think they're doing the right thing as they needed to scale back the used game restrictions and always-on policies. They should, and maybe will, at least ship enough systems to those countries to cover existing pre-orders only, but inform retailers to not accept any more pre-orders now till launch.