In an interview with Mercury News, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was happy to acknowledge the Xbox 360's success and also wanted to make it clear that the recent 360 price cuts had absolutely nothing to do with console sales.
"Xbox is an unqualified success" said Ballmer, adding "the product is selling very well" and that "the Xbox is an absolute home run." And when Mercury News pushed the point a bit further, asking whether or not a 360 price cut was a last ditch effort to spur console sales, Ballmer responded with an emphatic "no" saying "that's the craziest thing I've ever heard anybody say. All consoles start at higher prices. They always come down through the long cycle." Word!
There you have it, an Xbox 360 sales status report from Mr. Microsoft himself. We say, preach on Ballmer and don't let anyone mock you for sporting pink boxing gloves. Ever.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-06-2008 @ 4:53PM
warlock7 said...
I suppose RROD doesn't matter to him...
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 5:05PM
Christopher said...
I was just gonna say could he pass a note to the repair center about my RROD xbox.
10-06-2008 @ 7:13PM
philmcphail (Free Mr.ESC!) said...
OF COURSE IT DOESN'T!!!11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
10-06-2008 @ 4:54PM
joeybeast said...
The only person on the planet that would describe the same product with "unqualified success" and "an absolute home run"
in one sentence.
He's like that sales man who keeps on talking even thought he's not making sense any more, and the customers already made up their minds.
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 5:43PM
guidedbyvoip said...
/insert obligatory Palin comment here.
That is all.
10-06-2008 @ 10:42PM
Highimpact1 said...
Ahahaha I just had to point out that was the perfect Palin joke.
;-)
10-06-2008 @ 4:55PM
ryan said...
how is the RRoD situation these days anyways? is it Jasper, Pheonix or some other SKU now that fixed this?
whatever, won't matter to me with game installing this fall to take away that heat.
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 5:21PM
Loban said...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not the spinning of the optical drive that causing the overheating/RRoD issues. Being able to install it on the harddrive isn't going to save on heat, just noise.
That being said, I'm pretty sure the RRoD issue essentially went away with the introduction of the Zephyr revision.
10-07-2008 @ 12:18AM
ryan said...
ah, darn. i guess i was more hopeful that it did something extra. well, less parts moving and less fanwork the better anyway.
10-06-2008 @ 5:07PM
DJCUEBALL said...
Yea like he's going to admit 2 price drops within a month were not a last ditch effort to spur sales.
Reply
10-07-2008 @ 12:16AM
ryan said...
and why not? it's been 3 years and the next generation of consoles is right around the corner. i'd say it's about time for a price drop.
still expecting that PS3 price drop though, PS2 dropped what, a $100 within it's first 2 years?
10-06-2008 @ 5:37PM
OmegaX said...
Developers, developers, developers. Now with paint!
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 5:46PM
FIRST! ! ! said...
Anyone who uses the, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard anybody say." response is a lying.
It's called logic. PS3 sales up. 360 sales down. PS3 now relevant.
Lower 360 price. 360 sales back up again. PS3 now irrelavant.
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 5:47PM
wa27 said...
"And do you know WHY the 360 is doing so well????
DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS"
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10-06-2008 @ 6:49PM
Brian said...
He's as "in space" as Steve Jobs... but much less dangerous.
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 7:10PM
philmcphail (Free Mr.ESC!) said...
"Xbox is an unqualified success" said Ballmer, adding "the product is selling very well" and that "the Xbox is an absolute home run." And when Mercury News pushed the point a bit further, asking whether or not a 360 price cut was a last ditch effort to spur console sales, Ballmer responded with an emphatic "no" saying "that's the craziest thing I've ever heard anybody say. O RLLY?
Reply
10-06-2008 @ 9:37PM
Devin said...
The only people who know the answer to the question are MS. We can say all day that he's lying, but for all we know he may be telling the truth. IMO he's just doing his job and of course covering up the fact that they had to lower the price....but with Xmas on the horizon, it could also be a strategic move, as well....
Reply
10-07-2008 @ 10:16AM
Larry said...
Agreed. Microsoft seems to come into this generation with a plan, and it seems to be coming into fruition. They wanted to make the business profitable and for most part they have.
10-06-2008 @ 10:02PM
ScottishPrik said...
Does anyone else find it a bit weird that xbox360 fanboy is full of PS3 fanboys.
Reply
10-07-2008 @ 12:21AM
ryan said...
wherever people see BS, the flies will follow.
...and yes i'll admit i've seen and commented on some BS on PS3fanboy.