Halo 3 parrying PlayStation 3 launch

[Bond]

For months, the Web was rife with rumors that Microsoft would ship the sequel to Halo 2 for the Xbox 360 simultaneously with the launch of the PlayStation 3. Now, that has been confirmed--by none other than Bill Gates himself.

Source: Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/15/news_6124592.html)
Now that's just mean.

[DarrenMcLeod]

Wow. That's quite an awesome move by Mr. Gates.

[BreakABone]

I was going to post it but didn't know if it warranted its own thread.. I guess it does. The quote comes from a time magazine article.

Anyhow, this could work in their favor or blow up in their face, it is not an original strategy and as far as I know has never really worked....

[Dark Samurai]

Most people wouldve preordered everything for the PS3 anyway...

Then Halo 3... they'll go meh..

[Vampyr]

I would rather have Halo 3 than the PS3.

[Null]

i'd rather have anything then halo3. dispise thoes games. hehe.


However, on subject, its a smart move, and really the only one MS has to counter a PS3 launch, However it prolly wont do much. if things go how they were going to, ppl who have a 360 and were going to buy a PS3, will just get one less game with thier ps3 launch, and pick up halo3, many wont be concerned.

And from recent rumors that PS3 may launch much earlier then expected, Halo3 might not even be close to being done in time. so it wouldnt matter anyway.

then if PS3 has problems and gets delayed, and MS delays Halo3 because of it, they're pissing off thier own users.

But as i said, at this point its really the only move MS has to counter it.

[Xantar]

Microsoft could also unveil new services at the PS3 launch. Something like a new feature in Xbox Live or something. There's nothing that can stop the PS3 steamroller, but Halo 3 isn't necessarily the only or the best countermove Microsoft has. If nothing else, I'm really not sure how excited people will get about yet another Halo game just two years after the last one unless it adds something really new.

And from recent rumors that PS3 may launch much earlier then expected, Halo3 might not even be close to being done in time. so it wouldnt matter anyway.

Did you see the end of Halo 2? Since when did a game being unfinished prevent Microsoft from releasing it?

[KillerGremlin]

Microsoft could also unveil new services at the PS3 launch. Something like a new feature in Xbox Live or something. There's nothing that can stop the PS3 steamroller, but Halo 3 isn't necessarily the only or the best countermove Microsoft has. If nothing else, I'm really not sure how excited people will get about yet another Halo game just two years after the last one unless it adds something really new.



Did you see the end of Halo 2? Since when did a game being unfinished prevent Microsoft from releasing it?

Ughhh....don't remind me. I almost threw the controler through the TV.

[Swan]

I don't really see why Bill Gates sees this as a major move in destroying the PS3. If someone was going to go to the shop and buy, saw Halo 3 there, they will go for the PS3. If it was set at the same time as a big game it would be different. How often do you hear of someone going to buy a console, and coming back with one game?

[Bond]

I don't really see why Bill Gates sees this as a major move in destroying the PS3. If someone was going to go to the shop and buy, saw Halo 3 there, they will go for the PS3. If it was set at the same time as a big game it would be different. How often do you hear of someone going to buy a console, and coming back with one game?
I don't believe Bill Gates ever said that Halo 3 would destroy the Playstation 3. Releasing Halo 3 on the same day or around the launch of the Playstation 3 is simply a good counterattack. It's a lot better than doing nothing, no?

And I'm sure Bill Gates will save the release of a meaningless peripheral or something for the launch of Revolution. :)

[MuGen]

Right now, releasing Halo 3 in correspondance with PS3 doesn't even seem like a move at all. Considering you have 80 million PS2 owners eagerly awaiting the release of PS3... give or take a few thousand people who may spring for an Xbox 360 this generation.

A game to counter attack a console launch, almost seems like desperation than a counter attack. Some how I see Forza 360 releasing when GT5 releases for their respective next-gen consoles.

But come on... Halo 3 cannot possibly even put a dent in PS3's launch. Though many of you want to think so...

Assume PS3 launches at $299. 80 million (maybe even 75 million) PS2 lovers will save upthe money towards the launch. At launch day they come in with $400 to get themselves started. A guy goes in and sees Halo 3 on the same day.... Given the prediction that games of next-gen will be maybe $10 more.... Would he spend $60 on Halo 3......NO....... He has saved up for this moment, and if he buys Halo 3... he won't have enough to buy one game for the PS3...he'd be stuck with just a PS3.

Millions of people are saving up at this moment for their own PS3. None if not 1... will go into the store with money for the PS3 and some games, and be swayed by Halo 3.

Games counter games.... not consoles... think about how much credit your actually giving Halo..

[Ginkasa]

This move isn't supposed to be some giant, genius maneuver to vanquish the PS3 or anything. All it is is a way to remind people the X360 is still around. No, its not original. Yeah, the effect will probably be miniscule. Its not that big of a deal.

And Kyuzo, anything Gates hopes ot accomplish with this concurrent release will not be aimed at avid PS fans who have been saving up for "this moment." Gates is probably aiming more towards the casual gamers who may actually *gasp* choose Halo 3 over a PS3 game. And like I said before, its probably not going to do a whole lot. The people who want a PS3 will buy a PS3. The people who want Halo 3 will buy Halo 3. Some people will buy both. No big deal.


/me shrugs and walks away

[Vampyr]

Games counter games.... not consoles... think about how much credit your actually giving Halo..

Well, Halo is one of the biggest and most popular game franchises to date, so chances are people will chose it over a PS3 GAME. Instead of someone going out and buying a PS3 and two games, they'll get a PS3 and one game, and then grab Halo 3. And for people who were only planning on getting one game in the first place, it might actually influence their decision on whether or not to get the console, (assuming that they are avid Halo fans).

And I don't understand why people were so pissed off at Halo 2's ending. It's called a cliffhanger, get over it. In my opinion they don't happen often enough. I love it when a game or story or movie end that way.

[BreakABone]

Right now, releasing Halo 3 in correspondance with PS3 doesn't even seem like a move at all. Considering you have 80 million PS2 owners eagerly awaiting the release of PS3... give or take a few thousand people who may spring for an Xbox 360 this generation.

A game to counter attack a console launch, almost seems like desperation than a counter attack. Some how I see Forza 360 releasing when GT5 releases for their respective next-gen consoles.

But come on... Halo 3 cannot possibly even put a dent in PS3's launch. Though many of you want to think so...

Assume PS3 launches at $299. 80 million (maybe even 75 million) PS2 lovers will save upthe money towards the launch. At launch day they come in with $400 to get themselves started. A guy goes in and sees Halo 3 on the same day.... Given the prediction that games of next-gen will be maybe $10 more.... Would he spend $60 on Halo 3......NO....... He has saved up for this moment, and if he buys Halo 3... he won't have enough to buy one game for the PS3...he'd be stuck with just a PS3.

Millions of people are saving up at this moment for their own PS3. None if not 1... will go into the store with money for the PS3 and some games, and be swayed by Halo 3.

Games counter games.... not consoles... think about how much credit your actually giving Halo..

Ok that was pretty stupid no offense.

First off, all 80 million (or 75 million) will buy the console opening day. I doubt even a handful of them are saving up for a console that doesn't release for another year and we still don't know all the facts.

And if push comes to shove and you owe a X360 and go in there on launch day of Halo 3 and see the Ps3.. would you rather buy Halo 3 and maybe several other games or a new system entirely with like one game.. its not an easy decision for everyone.

And to be fair to MicroSoft, Halo 3 is the biggest weapon they have in their arsenal behind the head start, it is a wise idea to release it around the PS3 launch. As it reminds people the system is there, but also gives new customers a reason to pick up an X360.

Will the move work? Historically it hasn't done too much damage, but who can predict these things nowadays.

[DarrenMcLeod]

Right now, releasing Halo 3 in correspondance with PS3 doesn't even seem like a move at all. Considering you have 80 million PS2 owners eagerly awaiting the release of PS3... give or take a few thousand people who may spring for an Xbox 360 this generation.

A game to counter attack a console launch, almost seems like desperation than a counter attack. Some how I see Forza 360 releasing when GT5 releases for their respective next-gen consoles.

But come on... Halo 3 cannot possibly even put a dent in PS3's launch. Though many of you want to think so...

Assume PS3 launches at $299. 80 million (maybe even 75 million) PS2 lovers will save upthe money towards the launch. At launch day they come in with $400 to get themselves started. A guy goes in and sees Halo 3 on the same day.... Given the prediction that games of next-gen will be maybe $10 more.... Would he spend $60 on Halo 3......NO....... He has saved up for this moment, and if he buys Halo 3... he won't have enough to buy one game for the PS3...he'd be stuck with just a PS3.

Millions of people are saving up at this moment for their own PS3. None if not 1... will go into the store with money for the PS3 and some games, and be swayed by Halo 3.

Games counter games.... not consoles... think about how much credit your actually giving Halo..
80 million PS2 owners are not eagerly awaiting PS3. Subtract a LOT of those consoles on systems that have broken down and the person either rebought or didn't buy, a lot that are collecting dust like all systems, and a lot of people that bought it because they wanted a DVD player.

I wasn't saying that people are going to go in to buy PS3 and leave with Halo 3. But to say it won't put a dent in the celebrations is just ridiculous. Halo 2 sold ridiculously well at launch, and I'm quite sure Halo 3 is going to hit the casual gaming market and the hardcore gaming market very successfully. People will be able to think "Man, PS3 is out, with a few launch titles... but that XBox 360 already has a bunch of titles... and OH MAN HALO 3 IS COMING OUT THE SAME DAY?!?!"

[MuGen]

Ok that was pretty stupid no offense.

good one... How about "That was idiotic.. and I don't mean to be rude.."

[BreakABone]

good one... How about "That was idiotic.. and I don't mean to be rude.."

Well, I could just say.. it was stupid.. and you are an idiot for writing it.. but I'm trying to play nice here.

[thatmariolover]

i'd rather have anything then halo3. dispise thoes games. hehe.

I'm totally with you on that. I thought that Halo 2 was the biggest waste of a DVD I've ever played. And I own it and have Xbox Live.

On topic, I've really nothing to say because it looks like most of the bases have been covered.

[Perfect Stu]

80 million PS2 owners are not eagerly awaiting PS3. Subtract a LOT of those consoles on systems that have broken down and the person either rebought or didn't buy, a lot that are collecting dust like all systems, and a lot of people that bought it because they wanted a DVD player.


haha, oh dear.

PS2 has sold 87 million units...and yes, there are a lot less than 87 PS2 owners. But if you honestly think the number is anywhere near, say, 55-60 million, you're out of your mind.

but, you did make a point and I agree. just doubt it's to the same extent as yourself.

needless to say, a lot of people will be looking forward to the launch of the PS3. as long as Sony keeps doing what they're doing, I'll be one of them.



*edit*

and kyuzo, I thought your post was pretty ridiculous

[MuGen]

Well instead of trying to understand my post, it's being looked at as Fanboyish....

My point was that if there are Halo loyalists and Sony loyalists, then releasing Halo 3 along with PS3 does nothing. Because the respective loyalists will stick to whatever they were either waiting for, or want.

This justifies my statement that you can't suggest that Halo 3 will have an impact on PS3... because Sony loyalists don't care about Halo 3...and Microsoft loyalists don't care about PS3. So whose to say this move by Bill Gates is smart.. or stupid?

NO ONE.......... All I can say is that they both have their respective fans, and both will get their substantial amount of sales in the market...

[Professor S]

This move is about media attention, both mainstream and internet. If the PS3 was released with Microsoft offering only standard, everyday titles at that time all you would hear about is the PS3 launch. Halo is the only Franchise that MS has that will be able to grab a good bit of hype and attention at that time. This way, it won't be all PS3, all the time in the news and forums. It won't hurt Sony in sales, but it will keep the 360 from falling of the face of the earth during the PS3 launch. In the gaming world, perception is reality. Releasing Halo 3 at that time will remind people that the 360 is a serious competitor, and by doing so it will be.

I thought the move was pretty obvious and an easy marketing call. Can't really see where people would have problem with it or think its an ineffective strategy.

[MuGen]

well i guess from a media standpoint, it would be a good move.

[Perfect Stu]

This move is about media attention, both mainstream and internet. If the PS3 was released with Microsoft offering only standard, everyday titles at that time all you would hear about is the PS3 launch. Halo is the only Franchise that MS has that will be able to grab a good bit of hype and attention at that time. This way, it won't be all PS3, all the time in the news and forums. It won't hurt Sony in sales, but it will keep the 360 from falling of the face of the earth during the PS3 launch. In the gaming world, perception is reality. Releasing Halo 3 at that time will remind people that the 360 is a serious competitor, and by doing so it will be.

I thought the move was pretty obvious and an easy marketing call. Can't really see where people would have problem with it or think its an ineffective strategy.



http://www.murderoncue.com/Images/Applause.gif

[Solid Snake]

This move is about media attention, both mainstream and internet. If the PS3 was released with Microsoft offering only standard, everyday titles at that time all you would hear about is the PS3 launch. Halo is the only Franchise that MS has that will be able to grab a good bit of hype and attention at that time. This way, it won't be all PS3, all the time in the news and forums. It won't hurt Sony in sales, but it will keep the 360 from falling of the face of the earth during the PS3 launch. In the gaming world, perception is reality. Releasing Halo 3 at that time will remind people that the 360 is a serious competitor, and by doing so it will be.

I thought the move was pretty obvious and an easy marketing call. Can't really see where people would have problem with it or think its an ineffective strategy.

You said exactly what I was thinking, it's all about the hype.

+rep