Microsoft Does Not Understand Recession

The rumors started spreading months ago about a future wireless N adapter for the Xbox 360, and the initial questions was why another external adapter? Then the questions, how much? Microsoft released the original wireless G adapter for $100, and many speculations pointed to a much more affordable price this time around for the wireless N adapter....

[KingKionic]

Weird headline .

[dangert12]

Microsoft Is Going Down The Wii Route With All The Addons
Gametrak Freedom Wand-charger any one?
Wireless Adopter-2 when the new is out
Hardrives-4 the 250b will be annouced soon
Battry Packs
Natal
Any One Want To Ask Microsoft Or Let Them Know There Missing A few?
You Watch A Bag Of Dem come out next yr

[SnuggleBandit]

They understand, they just don't care. Their marketing tactics are in my eyes sort of a trap...199 stripped down machine, and then they rape you for the accessories and "add-ons".

Not saying that the base machine is bad for everyone, but i know a lot of people who have gotten an arcade and opened it up and realized that what's in the box is not what they thought came with it.

[WenisWagon]

1) Hardwire your 360 to the internet
or
2) Get a Linksys game adapter that costs half the price of Microsoft's.

Problem solved

[HolyOrangeCows]

...how naive consumers can be about final and initial costs.

[STK026]

yeah, its true that they try to make alot of cash with addons like the HDD and the likes, but as long as the consumers choose to buy it, I dont see why MS should stop doing it. The console market, like any market actually, is all about money. You wonder why Xbox Live aint free? Well because people are willing to pay for it and MS knows it. You think that Sony put a blu-ray drive in the PS3 so games would be better on it? You missed the point, they put it in because they knew it would give them a sizeable advantage in the format war. Why is the DLC free on PC but not on Live? Console gamers are willing to buy it, people on PC have been used to getting it for free and probably wouldn't buy it. Why are games downloaded from the G.o.d. service or from the PS Store as or more expensive than the same game in store? People buy them anyway, that's why!

Btw, what's with the headline, MS deson't not understand recession? What about Sony and the PSPGo? What about Apple and its overpriced products? It's not about MS not understanding recession, it's about people still willing to pay the big price even in the recession.

[darthv72]

because it is black and will go with my elite. I have the beige one attached to the hddvd player and it is in my front room on my original 05 360 serving as my movie machine. I dont have any issues streaming netflix over wifi.

My ps3 is in the game room next to the elite. It will be nice to eliminate the long yellow cat6 cable I am currently using to connect my elite to the net.

[Blaze929]

Does no one have a job anymore?...oh wait..recession = lay offs.

Besides, wired beats wireless gaming any day. Do like WenisWagon said above, hard wire that bad boy or just buy the Linksys game adapter.

Really not seeing the big deal once again...but then again, not "seeing" any actual 360 owners doing the complaining and whining.

[SnuggleBandit]

^^^
well $100 is a lot for a piece of plastic that should come with the system in the first place and costs $2 to make

and i am "whining" because i may get a 360 someday and don't want to buy the system for $99 and then pay $200 more for a hard drive and wifi

[Tarasque]

BOOHOO....Sniff.....Sniff..... BOOHOO...MS is charging 100 bucks for wireless adapter ina recession. Dont like it don't buy, i mean how old is it getting watching people cry day in and day out. F'ing pathetic.

[trancefreak]

@ Tarasque - Your post is pathetic and ignorant. Some people want an affordable add on not one that is'nt triple the cost of a standard pc counterpart.

This is just one more thing I hate about the 360. If your happy wih just owning the reasonably priced 360 fine but when you need add ons and if they are propriatary this is where you get ripped. @ this moment i cant hook my device to my wired network so I need a solution that will connect my 360 to the internet. This is where I refuse to pay highly over priced accesories from ms.

Im going to run a cat 5 cable from my router upstairs to the tv downstairs. Id much rather spend an hour or 2 doing this than spending 100 spot on an overpriced adapter that came included in my other 2 consoles.

When you buy a 360 that box should state many functions require lots of your money, accessories, and time to have full functionality and the ultimate gaming experience that is Microsofts Xbox 360.

If you want to jump in your going get nickle and dimed to the max.

Im not upgrading nada on my 360 it is what it is when bought and I also refuse to pay for live until its free. My games will be on ps3 my 360 games will be old and discounted classics or exclusives if they are worth it.

[Tarasque]

/\/\/\/\
And i said before i get tired of people whining and crying day in and day out. Dont play your 360 buy all your game's on the PS3 and PC, you think i give 2 sh1t's.

[The Lazy One]

For a wireless N router, the price really isnt that bad.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site...

there's some on best buy. This one is actually competitively priced instead of almost twice as much.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Now those WiFi adapters are heck of expensive and I just use Tomato setup as a wireless bridge, but why stop selling something people are willing to pay for?

Clearly the author is an idiot as MS must be releasing this because they expect it to CONTINUE to sell well! Let me MS worry about their profit.

[FrankDrebin]

Frank here and I would like to share my thoughts on MS and their pricing of accessories.

While I and most of law enforcement love both the 360 and PS3 we have to admit, Microsoft is out of their freaking minds when it comes to what they charge.

To purchase a harddrive for your 360, it is very much like taking a 'dead-horse' pounding while in a prison bathroom. Lets be honest here, MS knows that you can buy a 1t HDD for less than $100. Think of that folks. How much does MS charge for a HDD for the 360? How big is that harddrive?

You can buy wireless adapters dirt cheap and what do you have to pay for one to use on the 360? Yet again, another 'prison pounding.'

I admit, I love my 360 but the prices for addon is out of this world.

[NexGen]

If you have wifi at home you can get a Buffalo airstation (that supports N or super G) for about 40 bux. It turns your wifi into a 4 port wired connection. Perfect for those who don't want to buy special wireless adapters, and it feeds multiple devices. Just an option.

[WIIIS1]

Funny, didn't realize that add-ons were compulsory purchases 'cos I'm playing games just fine on my standard set of 360 without them. On the other hand, it wasn't that long ago when getting a standard set of PS3 was still far and away the most expensive venture, was it?

[Bucky Sligo]

PS3 fanboys b*tching about things they don't have to buy is a regular occurance on N4G. Simular to b*tching about the cost of Live when it cost just as much as a big mac a month.

Consumers vote with their wallet. If it's realy too expensive, it won't sell.

z-hayden:
"and i am "whining" because i may get a 360 someday and don't want to buy the system for $99 and then pay $200 more for a hard drive and wifi"
Seriously dude, that is some stupid sh!t. You are trying to justify why you are whining? Just quit b*tching until you actualy have an Xbox360. By then maybe you will have enough sense to rather buy the Pro or Elite instead of the arcade since the arcade clearly doesn't suite you. If you are so pressed for cash, get a second-hand WiFi for cheap off ebay or something. It's realy not that complex.

[slayorofgods]

http://n4g.pgpartner.com/se...

[ThatCanadianGuy]

There's alot of things microsoft doesn't understand.
Such as, making a reliable console.Building up first party developers, Making great games, customer satisfaction etc.

You name it, they don't understand it.

[Alcon Caper]

how bout releasing the same portable system that doesn't support the software that the first "same" system did...

[droid and bot]

@1.1
"the first "same" system" is still on sale
still supported gets the same games

[Sunny_D]

It must be hard living life when you're that stupid.

HAHAHAHHA! I know how it feels to take care of kids like them. If you ever need help, just call me okay?

[Shepherd 214]

it must be hard living life when your a prick. Dont stick yourself into any clamps or electrical sockets, canadiandick.

[WIIIS1]

Wow deleted by the mods in the Open Zone! Now that's a real achievement...

[Kill Crow]

PS3 = last place.

doesn't matter what you say, how you spin it ... ps3 is last this gen.

Whatever you think about M$, sony has done worse.

pwned youself ...

[rohail88]

u pawned urself coz SONY is doing better in the same timeframe so if both consoles where released at the same time PS3 would be 2nd! but hey ur a bot so i dont expect u to understand this!

[snake_eater]

failbox 360 contingent will keep suporting them, they dont care as long as they have these bots that keep feeding them.

Truly the 360 fanatics continue to amaze me

[chrisulloa]

They've been around even before you PS3tards were even on your feet. I'm pretty sure they know how to run a business. Also, the wireless adapter is not a requirement, ethernet cables cost about 15 dollars.

[Optical_Matrix]

Ironically Sony has been a business longer than Microsoft and the Playstation brand has been around longer than the Xbox brand, which only got real household name status in the past couple of years.

[Kamikaze135]

A wireless signal is required to some gamers who aren't able to get a long enough Ethernet cord. It's also required for gamers without internet and share internet with their neighbor.

[The real killer]

Really, they stole the first OS from the Amiga systems and re-program and name it Windows 3.11 Because the first amiga windows (DOS) came from the Amiga makers NOT!!! FROM MICROSOFT!!! those bastard stole a opens source OS and ask so quickly a patent.

So, don't talk so big little boy

[snake-OO]

@ The Real Killer
they stole the idea from apple not amiga.

[chrisulloa]

"A wireless signal is required to some gamers who aren't able to get a long enough Ethernet cord."
-You do realize there are ethernet cords of up to 100 feet for about 40 dollars.
"It's also required for gamers without internet and share internet with their neighbor."
-You mean steal internet right?

"Really, they stole the first OS from the Amiga systems and re-program and name it Windows 3.11 Because the first amiga windows (DOS) came from the Amiga makers NOT!!! FROM MICROSOFT!!! those bastard stole a opens source OS and ask so quickly a patent. "
-I'm not talking about operating systems kid, I'm talking about business. But you obviously didn't read my statement because you're a retard.

[AuToFiRE]

Sony has been around since 1946, yes, 1946, i think they know a lot more about electronics than microsoft ever will, considering, that is, microsoft doesnt even know how to make an operating system and they are a software company, imagine what type of hardware they make

[THE DUKE]

If Micorsoft wasnt around we would all be in debt because everyone would own an apple Mac.

[AuToFiRE]

wrong - if microsoft wasnt around we would all have thousands of dollars more because we would be using Linux

[rohail88]

as ignorant as u can imagine!

[xenogamer]

well say it to them slower...

[mastiffchild]

It doesn't matte to MS. They weren't happy about the word "exclusive" and happily went about saying they changed it's meaning and I suspect they think they can now do the same to any word they don't understand or like very much.

It's a handy power they developed there!

[hakis86]

ACTIVISION does not understand Recession

[Shadow Man]

I'll just keep using my laptop for free.
WEP FTW!!! ;-D

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Hey, shadow bot, you got some white stuff on your face there..

Get up off your knees and wipe it off.

[Major_Tom]

That was sooo classy.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

That was sooo lame.

[Sunny_D]

Is it Microsoft Milk?
http://s27.photobucket.com/...

[SmokeyMcBear]

its all about choices.. eh

[Major_Tom]

and bacon.

[kaveti6616]

Bacon is life.

Note: I actually stopped eating bacon. My life ended like 6 months ago.

[Major_Tom]

Wow, some people on this website really don't like bacon.

[kaveti6616]

It's cuz they're pigs. They don't like us talking about ways to eat them.

[iagainsti120]

b a c o n yummy

[Fishy Fingers]

Well if your after a wireless dongle for your console I suggest buying the "g" once this releases, they'll certainly lower the price and it's perfectly adequate for online gaming.

Are there any real difference between this and a PC dongle? I struggle to see how they can justify the price if not.

[iagainsti120]

The Average Price for a N wireless adapter is around $60-$70 so this isn't much more expensive and not they are not much different from a USB N-Dongle that you can get for a PC its just that these are made to work only if it see's an XBOX 360.
There is a huge benefit that People with wireless N network will see, especially when streaming HD content over a network because i know for fact that a lot of my HD Blu-ray rips don"t like to stream to my Xbox to well (video bit-rate is usually 6000KBps or higher) over my wireless G network. the Advantage with N is that you have a higher transfer speed 300Mbps (usually 270Mbps on my network) so for people who use there 360 as a Media Extender and Like to stream HD content this is a GOD send. (and no a wireless N Ethernet bridge is not worth it when you have 270Mbps network and its limited by the cat5 to 100Mbps) + the extra range is nice too

[DevastationEve]

Sure they do, but the whole options thing came out at a time when the consumer WOULD pay for it.

It's all still optional. So if you can't afford to buy it, DON'T!

[Stryfeno2]

And Sony does? PSPGO says Hi...And one would think they learned a lesson when they announced that monstrosity that cost 600USD.

[kaveti6616]

Microsoft has actually been doing pretty good considering the recession. They've lost some profit shares but they still make profits in a lot of divisions. I think the gaming division will actually go into the black in a year or two, and I say this without sarcasm, as MS was forced to spend lots of cash on RROD and stuff like that.

When Xbox 3 comes out, Microsoft is going to be in for a rude awakening. How many of you are going to buy it day one or even month one? Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to wait and see if the hardware is good.

[Bumpmapping]

Microsoft understands how dumb their consumers are hence the 100$ wifi.

[NecrumSlavery]

With an N Adapter, you can steal Internet from down the street.
MS needs to play fair, but the 360 addicts needs to quit bending over and taking it. They get ripped off daily but don't seem to care one bit.

[glennc]

of course we care, it's the price we pay for our gaming tastes, it's my hobby, that's how i justify it. at least it'll get some use, unlike all those useless wii peripherals i bought. people need to stop complaining. it is still way cheaper than PC gaming. you get a lot of tech for the money inside that box.

i am getting tired of people using this for comparison against the PS3 as well. i will never game over wireless (stike that, never say never i spose, probably won't have a choice one day)

[Silent]

i'd buy it
its a good deal :)

[djfullshred]

It's almost 2010. It's a bit silly to have add on adaptors for something as basic & common as wireless network interface. They should start buidling it in. It isn't expensive technology anymore.

[Mr Brownstone74]

i might buy this down the road, but not for a while cuz im perfectly happy with the original wireless G adapter from Microsoft - never had any trouble with it, is fast, and had it for more than a year

[Omega Archetype]

Guess Sony doesn't either, what with their less for more pricing with the PSPgo. Of course that's only the PSP, they're doing fantastic with the PS3 at it's new price point.

I still question how $249 was decided on within the company for a UMD-less PSP? Sure it's got some cool features, but should at least be the same price as current PSP models. Oh well, just don't expect me to get rid of my PSP-2000 for a higher priced (did I mention UMD-less,) PSP Sony. Not worth it IMO, and I don't think I'm alone in thinking that.

[jack who]

pspgo?

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

People will buy it. That's the thing.

It will push sales of the games on the Network...pushing PSP sales in general...not necessarily PSP Go's.

That is their plan of attack.

Expect a price drop after the holidays.

[ginsunuva]

I bet they purposely set it at $250 so that they could drop it to $150 next year without a problem. Products seem to seel better when people hear that they dropped by nearly 45% in price.

[hendersonman]

Yeah MS should learn how to make things cheaper for the recession. Let me go back to playing my PSP Go... oh wait a second

[bjornbear]

And you'd have the full experience...

If you went back to play your Arcade...you wouldn't.

[jdbrash]

does the wireless N work with other types of wireless (like G) or does it just work with N?

[iagainsti120]

N adapter works with ABGN
G adapter works with ABG
N Router works with ABGN (you can usually select which you want to broadcast) and A usually isn't available
G Router works with ABG but usually just BG

Useing a N adapter on a G network is just dumb though cus you cant take advantage of the extended range or Speed

[BlaqGold804]

this is the reason i traded in my 360 for a ps3 two weeks ago. man come to find out ms even charges 4 themes that r free on ps3 .....wtf

[bjornbear]

oh..

[iagainsti120]

the good old Sega CD and 32x combo brings back memory's of SH%ty games

[dachiefsman]

how about the ps2/ps1....I had more than 10 memory cards that were 20-30 bucks a pop i believe.

[KILLERAPP]

MS has always overprice those kinds of things what you expect when you pay to play online with old serves and not dedicated ones there ripping you off, but until people take a stand and say no more MS will continue to do the same to bad there too many 360 fan boys who pay gladly for the over price things and yet the bash the PS3 is quite sad.

[Christopher]

If it's too expensive, then don't get it. But, it's an option for those who want it.

This is the same thing with PSPGo. If it's too expensive, get the PSP-3000.

Don't see the issue here.

[Paradise Lost]

What difference will this impact in any way?

It will probably still be a lagzone in Gears.

[ReBurn]

If it costs too much then people won't buy it. I bought my 360 wireless adapter used for less than half of retail long before the PS3 was ever released. Worth every penny to me.

[CharlesDCI]

Does someone have a picture with the 360 and all of the add ons it has attached to it? I'm just curious on how it looks like lol.

[iagainsti120]

I get what you mean like how the Sega Genesis had the SEGA CD and 32x attachments that looked like Dr. Frankenstein got a hold of it and turned it into some monstrosity, no it doesn't look that bad but it doesn't look to great either.

[Krew_92]

You have officially won the Douche bag of the year award! Your god damn post was so pathetic that it hid your douche bagginess for a moment there!
Holy hell do I feel like screaming I hate people as ignorant as you!
As I always say "You are like the bird dung on cars, you don't like it BUT you have to deal with it".....

[lonix]

xbox 360 slim with no dvd drive eheheheheh

at least it would be quiet

and dont tell me microsoft hasnt considered it

[Droid Control]

You should be ashamed!

[Sonic the Hedgehog]

There's always the buyback stores to fall back on..

[orange-skittle]

How does MS not understand recession? Because they are selling an N modem for $100 which used to be the price for a G modem? Does it change what it does? First off it's called an "ADD ON" not addon you dumb high school drop outs. With that being said and MS being a company that stays in business through a recession, they are here to MAKE money for their merchandise...not LOSE it. They are priced adequately for the market, do your research. NO! They did not make it internal because that would not be cost effective considering there are at least 4 million SKU's waititng to be sold on the market, so why make another one so that f*ggot fanboys can complain about that too. I swear, seems like if you f*gs are not getting it for free, you want to complain. Get a damn job. Funny thing is, my PS3 comes wireless and I have it wired because connectivity issues at times when playing socom or killzone. Wireless is a choice, so if you don't want it, you dont have to fork up the $80 for the adapter. You can argue that PS3 comes like that out the box, but MS is not losing money by doing that the way Sony is.

Sony cut corners on the Slim to get their machine in homes by taking a loss on the new price point. Microsoft is bringing out crazy bundles and a $399 MW2 bundle that includes a 250GB HDD instead of a
120GB and an extra wireless controller along with the game. Talk about getting a great deal for the money.

[horndog]

no one said it's something you NEED to play your xbox. It's there as an OPTION if anyone wants to go that way and for N wireless that isn't such a bad price.

[maspi]

Microsoft's hardware products and accessories are more expensive because they are only a software company and not hardware makers.so they buy stock of accessories and hardware products then they apply Microsoft label on them and resell to you overpriced with XXX% of charge.

[tonywood24]

Where are the next gen graphics and physics? I don't want to hear the "It's about the fun" crap. Yea, I got a 360 and the only game I play is Halo multiplayer. In short, I wasted money....BUT Halo is a fun game.

MS is charging so much money for their products because they are like Jay-Z: a little talent that blew up, due to stealing others ideas, and sampling great talent. I won't hate the player...MS is making money, and I respect that. However....the only other game I will get on 360 is Halo: Reach. EVERYTHING ELSE IS STRICTLY PS3!

[artsaber]

Jay-Z was about as underground as it got before then. But speaking of Microsoft... I'll never buy their wifi adapter... but some of you that already own a spare Belkin router may wanna reflash it to DD-WRT and turn it into a repeater... then you plug your 360 straight into that device... whola! There's your wifi connection.