Does PSP take the shine off next year's Xbox 2 launch?

[wazoo]

Xenon will be bought during FALL 2005 by

- early adopters : those will have PSP for months
- xbox fans : will buy it no matter Sony is doing

I do not think PSP will affect XEnon 2k5 launch but in 2006, with the PS3 hype growing and the PSP possibly a success, it may hold the second wave of console buyers to think that Soni can do no wrong and they may want to wait for the ps3 launch. Thus, we would have a DC situation (big launch followed by flat sales).

On the other side, bad sales for the PSP may affect Sony badly both in terms of image and finance.

 

[AzBat]

I can understand how some people might think a $200 PSP could possibly overshadow the launch of the Xbox2. A $200 holiday gift is pretty expensive for most families. It's likely that somebody who spends $200 on a PSP is not likely to spend an additional $300 for a Xbox2. However, I'm not totally sure Microsoft will release the Xbox2 at $300. Even though first mover advantage might give them some leeway with their launch price, Microsoft has hinted at the possibility of a console that costs less to manufacture. That could lead to a lower retail price. It wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft launched at $250 or even $200. With that said I agree that the Xbox2 won't be adversely affected by the PSP. But I also think Microsoft should at least be aware or slightly concerned with PSP's potential sales.

Tommy McClain

 

[Leto]

Has anyone told him PSP sales wont interfere with Xbox2 sales? 8)

 

[GwymWeepa]

I can understand how some people might think a $200 PSP could possibly overshadow the launch of the Xbox2. A $200 holiday gift is pretty expensive for most families. It's likely that somebody who spends $200 on a PSP is not likely to spend an additional $300 for a Xbox2. However, I'm not totally sure Microsoft will release the Xbox2 at $300. Even though first mover advantage might give them some leeway with their launch price, Microsoft has hinted at the possibility of a console that costs less to manufacture. That could lead to a lower retail price. It wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft launched at $250 or even $200. With that said I agree that the Xbox2 won't be adversely affected by the PSP. But I also think Microsoft should at least be aware or slightly concerned with PSP's potential sales.

Tommy McClain

lol, I would find it hilarious if Nintendo and MS switched strategies next-gen, Nintendo with an advanced, feature rich system (well something has to justify its revolution moniker) and MS with the cheap games only approach.

 

[Leto]

Following some of the analogies here PSP will also affect sales of McDonalds food, apples and oranges because people will be poorer after buying Xbox2 thus they wont be able to afford McDonalds or apples.

 

[McFly]

Following some of the analogies here PSP will also affect sales of McDonalds food, apples and oranges because people will be poorer after buying Xbox2 thus they wont be able to afford McDonalds or apples.

Of course it will, but the effect will be so extremely small that nobody will see it or care.

Fredi

 

[Leto]

Exactly

 

[zurich]

I can understand how some people might think a $200 PSP could possibly overshadow the launch of the Xbox2. A $200 holiday gift is pretty expensive for most families. It's likely that somebody who spends $200 on a PSP is not likely to spend an additional $300 for a Xbox2. However, I'm not totally sure Microsoft will release the Xbox2 at $300. Even though first mover advantage might give them some leeway with their launch price, Microsoft has hinted at the possibility of a console that costs less to manufacture. That could lead to a lower retail price. It wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft launched at $250 or even $200. With that said I agree that the Xbox2 won't be adversely affected by the PSP. But I also think Microsoft should at least be aware or slightly concerned with PSP's potential sales.

Tommy McClain

Oh god, it's like the Dreamcast all over again!!

 

[Leto]

What do you mean zurich?

 

[PC-Engine]

When Xenon arrives, those who want one will gladly trade in their PSPs if they already own one because then the trade in value would still be high.

 

[wco81]

Xenon has bigger hurdles than competition from PSP and DS (although they are going after some of the same gaming dollars).

1. Will its specs. look as good on paper? Xbox's appeal is based on superior specs. So if Xenon is perceived as inferior to the PS3, will all Xbox owners migrate?

2. Will it have the hard drive or some kind of large amount of storage? Again, the hard drive is one of the things which drew a lot of Xbox owners to the platform.

3. Backwards compatibility? Will it make it easier for current Xbox owners to adopt the new console?

In its favor would be HDTV support/superior graphics, coming out at a time when current generation may be waning.

 

[Xeno]

Time Frame:

27th Oct: PSP press release for Japanese launch - Pre-release hype goes into overdrive. Price, launch games and battery life are all much better than expected.
November: PSP export pre-orders reach unprecedented level.
December: Hype for PSP so high in Japan that Western media have significant coverage of launch. Demand outstrips supply. PSPs banned from being exported to North Korea due to super computer capabilitites .
March '05 PSP launches in US, hysteria reaches unprecedented levels.

holy shit it's not a space shuttle launch...

 

[wco81]

There wasn't much hysteria around space shuttle launches.

Only around space shuttle explosions.

 

[passerby]

Re: Title of topic.

No.

The PS3 hype/advertising will do that job better.

 

[aaaaa00]

Ditto to everyone who's already said this.

PSP isn't going to affect xenon.

There is no way a handheld can offer the same kind of gaming experience as a console hooked up to a big TV and 5.1 sound, so they're really two different markets.

What may affect xenon is PS3 pre-hype. We'll just have to see what happens regarding that.

 

[Deepak]

Following some of the analogies here PSP will also affect sales of McDonalds food, apples and oranges because people will be poorer after buying Xbox2 thus they wont be able to afford McDonalds or apples.

Good that US pres. elections are being held this year otherwise...

 

[wazoo]

Ditto to everyone who's already said this.

PSP isn't going to affect xenon.

There is no way a handheld can offer the same kind of gaming experience as a console hooked up to a big TV and 5.1 sound, so they're really two different markets.

What may affect xenon is PS3 pre-hype. We'll just have to see what happens regarding that.

PSP will not by itself affect Xenon sales, especially next fall, where it will be sold out (like every console launch). But a good year for the PSP will increase the expectations for the PS3, leading people to believe that Sony is tech wizard (comparing PSP to DS for example) and that the ps3 can not be expensive (looking at PSP price).

 

[zurich]

What do you mean zurich?

The DC was specifically launched before the PS2 and at a cheaper price to get a 'head start' on the next generation, and instead it all backfired and was considered vastly inferior to the hype for the then-non existant PS2.

Xenon seems to be trying to launch before the PS3 and possibly at a cheaper price to get a 'head start' on the next generation - it could very well all backfire if it is considered vastly inferior to the hype for the currently non-existant PS3.

 

[London Geezer]

Following some of the analogies here PSP will also affect sales of McDonalds food, apples and oranges because people will be poorer after buying Xbox2 thus they wont be able to afford McDonalds or apples.

No it will be either apples OR oranges. Why can't people just get over it! Apples and oranges are different!!!!

 

[Spidermate]

I think what it comes down to is trust. If people see that Sony has delivered something this amazing, yet around the same time as their competitor, they may assume and anticipate the same about Sony's next console, which will make the hype a lot easier to swallow this time dispite what many may have thought about the PlayStation 2. So yes, I do say that this handheld could affect sales of the Xenon. Just feeding this fire alone and publicizing what your next goal is could stir one huge storm. Why do you think the two are being released so close together (the hype, I mean)? Everything serves as a purpose in the game. They are using,what I like to call, bait to draw your attention to the main focus, especially those who've doubted them. So far, it's working, and it will only get more intense the closer the PSP comes to launching. But, this is where Sony excels: marketing. It is the only way to keep your attention focused on them.