CrunchGear

This sounds like a relatively fair way to do it. I’m glad someone caught on that the whole “let’s see who gets in the line first” way of doing things wasn’t really working for anyone. Kudos to Amazon.

This is definitely a lot smarter for Amazon after their “the system is down” fiasco with the 100 dollar Xbox 360s. It not only makes it more fair for everyone and a lot less nerveracking, but also makes it a little bit easier for Amazon to handle the massive influx of desperate parents and fanboys.

I do like the “what are the odds that…” though. Amazon, always adapting.

Elusive? That suggests that these machines have a mind of their own, and while the ad campaign for the PS3 might wish to make it so, I don’t believe that any of these devices is actively trying not to be bought. However, if it encourages anyone to subscribe, as I understand it, there are only ten more subs of my video podcast available at iTunes, and if you don’t get one now, your kids will look at you like you somehow killed a pony. Do you really want to deal with that?

I’m like the “odds” section as well. Creative, informative and entertaining. I’m on the list now but I’m not too sure I actually want one. This Gen seems to have too many first run issues. straps, over-heating, etc… I remember when the problems came later on, after wear and tear. Oh the days of blowing in NES cartridges and blinking read status lights, hitting the reset button hundreds of times to get a game to load, a dislodged sega power button, a stolen SNES. You know, the good ole days.

Hmmm, I do have four different amazon accounts from the x box offer. I had my dad, sister and cousin waiting on four different laptops reloading constantly. Unfortunately none of our attempts got through. Shows you how that method obviously doesn’t work well. I would get myself on the list but I can’t shell out the hundreds right now.

I think its a wonderful way to generate tons of site hits (without servers failing), even though amazon might not need it. However, the increased site hits will generate more sales.

The only issue that I have is that you had to have been a member pre-December 11th. This might stop new members from joining. However, it will limit spam and multiple entries.

Ok enough ranting.

Amit

Thanks to Jon, I have “The System Is Down” stuck in my head. (Doo-do-do-doo! Doo-do-do-doo!)

Anywho, this appears to be setup in a more reasonable manner - talk about learning from afterthought. It’s great that they limited which accounts can enter; my first thought would have been “Do they realise how many new ‘accounts’ will be opened if there isn’t a date limit?” had they done otherwise.

I still see at least one of the winning ‘bids’ to be re-sold on eBay. XD

What do all of these products have in common? Well… they play video games BUT what does one have that neither of the other two can even come close to? An affordable price… I thought my NES was expensive when I bought it… wait this one out for a year folks, then you will get the deals without having to spend 48 hours in the winter snow to get your hands on one (or suffer from finger numbness due to refreshing to get in at Amazon).

Jon

I haven’t played with either console so I have no idea of their capabilities, but I find that its going to come down to the games. Not the quantity of the games but the quality. One or two major hits for either system every quarter or two, will secure their position in the market, regardless of their costs.

As for the PS3s ability to play blu-ray, I don’t think it will be that big of a selling point. I would personally want an independent blu-ray player, if blu-ray even lasts.

Amit

Jon: Do you not consider the Wii well priced? Yeah it is going for ridiculous prices out in eBay land, but out the door of Best Buy I don’t think it’s too bad. I could afford one right now on my broke-college-student budget. As for your advice, that is sound advice, but those who are waiting to get the system want it now, not a year later when it’s relatively old news.

This is a pattern that has repeated itself for almost every hyped up game system release that I can remember, with the original PlayStation, then the N64, the PS2, and then the xBox, the PSP, DS, xBox 360, etc. These prices are not driven by the actual quality of the systems, but rather the new/cool/sweet factor. They are simply items to be had, regardless of they’re actually worth the gazillions that people are paying for them.

Amit:
You’re definitely right about the games, however I think it will take a lot more than the games market to make up for the red numbers that Microsoft and Sony have had with these systems (notice I left out Nintendo). I think a big part of influence with these systems will be how Sony plays out its online gaming market, as we’ve seen Microsoft has done very well for itself. In addition, we should also consider how the HDDVD/BluRay competition goes. The one that has to change is going to be even further behind, especially if it is Sony that has to switch from the format around which it built its system (as opposed to Microsofot which has an add-on HDDVD drive).

I’m actually worried for the Wii because it has been completely aloof of this competing market over the HD formats, but maybe that’s why its costs have been kept down so much, because it is focusing entirely on gaming rather than being the all in one media/gaming rig for your living room.

My poor wife spent three hours this cold morning in front of Target waiting for a Wii. She heard from a friend of a friend who worked there that they were getting 15 in today and barely got it.

And to top it off, I woke up early this morning to find my wife missing. When she arrived home I badgered her about where she was at that hour on a Sunday until she finally caved.

So, what do I do? Instead of being a grateful husband, I show her this post.

We spent the rest of the day bowling.

http://www.dubitinsider.com/tracker/log/8?uid=4666

Nintendo scam:

http://www.dubitinsider.com/tracker/log/8?uid=4666

What do you think?

I guess this will get confusing Jon with two of us on the same blogsphere… anyways, the Wii is reasonably priced but consider in a few months a new updated version will hit the shelves at a CHEAPER price with other colors like your traditional ipod colors.

As for past systems, I have had and played them all… Playstation 3 is useless unless you also have a HD television as the difference in quality isn’t as noticeable and the XBox 360 although not mentioned, I would really be concerned about long term survival. Microsoft is loosing billions a year on this and all you need is a new CEO to come in with some common sense to phase out the system… sure they don’t care about money but their investors sure do, hence why their stock is just hovering.

Back to past systems, of all the systems I have played, my favorite so far was the SNES, the price of the console and games was very good and the games, even today… are actually entertaining and very good quality.

Jon