Consoles - One of the Biggest Conspiracies in the World
It used to be that if you wanted a new console you'd just go to the store and get one. I remember (barely - and this is going to date me for sure) when my best friend got his Atari. They had only just came out but his parents went to the local store and picked one up along with a few games.
Flash forward to the turn of the millenium and you find that buying a new console is akin to getting struck by lightning. In fact, I bet the odds of getting struck by lightning are less than the odds of actually walking into a store, any store, and being able to buy a new console. But why is that?
Well, I have my opinion...
I think it all started with Microsoft. Even before the Xbox 360, or even the original Xbox, Microsoft realized how effective "buzz" or "hype" marketing was.
Remember when Windows 98 came out? People waiting in line to get it! And before that we saw similar situations with Windows 95.
When Microsoft can hype up a product the only one that wins is Microsoft. I mean, c'mon it's software - how can there be shortages? I mean, did they run out of CD's to make copies??
And the same holds true now for Consoles. I don't remember this kind of problem when you wanted to buy a PS2, GameCube or Dreamcast. No it's only been recently.
And, again, Microsoft started it all.
First it was "we can't make enough for demand" and then it was "we can't ship them out fast enough."
Microsoft and the Xbox created this mini-economy on Ebay where those who were lucky enough to get a console were able to hose those who wanted a console badly enough.
And what happens when your competitor has a great marketing idea? Well you copy it of course!
And that's what Sony is doing now (and Nintendo to a lesser extent). Sony in particular is offering a high priced DVD player that does games. Plus they are claiming that manufacturing issues are causing problems and delays with selling the PS3.
In particular they say the blue diodes used to make Blu-ray are the issue. But you know what? I was in my local electronics retailer on the weekend and they have a ton of Blu-ray DVD players, so I kinda doubt that is the issue.
Nor is it the cell processor - because other devices use the cell just fine.
Nope - to me it's just all plain old marketing - generate the buzz, but leave them short and you got them wanting more.
Think about it, engineers can plan a shuttle mission to the most minute detail - and can have the specs of that mission to you 6 months before the launch. They know exactly what hardware they need and when they need it.
But Sony and Microsoft can't produce enough game consoles to meet demand?
If you believe that, I know where there's a bridge you can buy (seriously, they are replacing a bridge near me and they don't know what to do with the old one).
But I shouldn't just pick on Sony or Microsoft, Nintendo is just as bad. There's nothing really revolutionary about the Wii. Sure it's revolutionary when compared to the competition, but the technology is old-school. So why are we short on Wiis as well?
Two words: Hype Marketing
Totally true. Although I think the Big N is a little guilty of this as well. I mean how long does it take to make a console? The avg car takes like 3 days to get off the asembly line. But a Dell PC probably rolls off every 4 hours...so a console?
You are right there! You can custom order a Dell computer and have it shipped to you within a week or two - maybe the console makers could hire Dell to build their consoles. That way you could get a 360 with a bigger drive AND the skin you want - heck they could even preload some games ;)