Hey, a run's a run.
24 Oct 05

I keep wondering if Microsoft could go back to the first week of May and get a do over. The latest problem seems to be that all the kiosks in Walmart have been shut down due to interference. This is on top of reported configuration problems. I don't doubt the launch will be a success. There are rumors of artificial shortages already, but those rumors pop up at every launch. They're usually quickly followed by 'defective unit' or 'high failure rate' rumors at launch.

Those rumors are proved false usually about the time the shortages start to ease. Microsoft's problem is that most launches have an excess of good will built up that help the weather those negative rumors. Microsoft seems to have squandered a lot of their good will stockpile on missteps they've taken since the disastrous MTV special. I won't chronicle the litany again because there seems to be no malice behind any of their actions. It just seems to be turning out badly.

That's doubly ironic since it seems they've got a solid piece of hardware, a great development environment and what looks to be a solid launch line up. In short they can walk the walk, but they're tripping over their tongue trying to talk the talk. Given that solid foundation, I don't see any real launch troubles. I am beginning to worry about what their launch ad campaign is going to look like. I'd like to see something simple and understated perhaps using their "ring of light" as the theme.

As always, I try to state my biases. I want solid three party competition that yields tons of unique titles. I'd like to see a strong Xbox 360 launch that forces Sony to fire both barrels. I also hope Nintendo succeeds in their bizarre plan to redefine the market entirely. Let's see if Microsoft can step up now.

Jason