If Microsoft tries to force people to shell out over $500 for a bundle that includes their 1st party games. I don't imagine that would go over too well with 3rd party developers like EA or Midway when they figure out that many people wont have enough cash left to buy their games. Seems like a nice first step towards making game developers put more effort into Gamecube & PSX2.
Although I want an X-Box, I do get turned off by Microsoft acting like a monopoly when their damn system has not even hit the shelves yet. I find it a little scary to think what they will do if the X-Box sells well. Maybe they will try to force retailers to not display Nintendo products at the front of the store
Because, by pre-ordering 5 titles, you're increasing the software to hardware units ratio for that store/chain, which will impress Microsoft into giving them a bigger initial allocation...
I hear that, but then the retailer is still stuck with a shitload of games which may not be in such high demand as the system. Some games I see having no problem selling well, but if you have to pre order five of them, and can leave the 2 or 3 stinkers on the store shelves, then the retailer is stuck. Also, if getting a bigger allocation is such a big deal, then retailers could just as easily doctor up some fake pre-order slips. Last time I checked, there was no Notary required to certify a pre-order slip for a game system.
I know, and knew right when he opened his mouth, that the guy at the store was just lying to me about the allotment of systems being filled, and probably they're whole pre-order program. He was not even a good liar.
This whole thing sucks. Microsoft encouraging something like this is almost enough to make me hope for the failure of the X-box. If the system were not so powerful, and did not have so much potential, then I would write it off completely right now.
