The last two generation's of console launches were bad. From the PS2 to the Wii everything was just a mess. People had to line up in the early mornings and some folks still went home empty handed. Supply numbers were a mystery and preorders were hit or miss. But things seem to have turned around, hasn't it? The launches for PS4 and Xbone were... great! I didn't hear of many late night line ups, nor were there much confusion over whether or not a preorder would come through. And yet, some of the same problems persists. There was definitely more demand than supply for both consoles, and some people who preordered still didn't get their units yet.
It sounds kind of contradictory, but it isn't. The more things change, the more things stay the same. However, the latest two console launches did a lot of things right. For those of us who wondered whether Sony or Microsoft will ever learn, it seems that they have. Here are a few things I've figured out as their secret to success.
While there were certainly supply shortages, both companies did their best to off set the pain. Microsoft announced delays for several European countries. These countries will not be getting a Nov 22nd launch. Sony went even further, delaying the PS4 launch in it's native Japan until 2014 just so they can supply North American first. They even pushed back the launch in Europe and Australia until Nov 29th, two weeks after the NA shipments. All this effort means ample supply for the NA launches. While it's not exactly fair to those countries not getting units on 'day one', at the very least you know where you stand. If you live in North America, you've lucked out. If not, you at least know how long to wait. In the end, however, raw units made the difference. Both Sony and Microsoft sold over 1 million units each on launch day, which means, at the very least, that there were over a million units out there in the first place. This is a far cry for the... what? 250 thousand for the PS3?
I preordered both machines from Gamestop. A friend of mine did the same for the PS4. Both of us got our systems on day 1. I had to go over to Gamestop to confirm my PS4 preorder, while the store called me about my Xbox One. The result is that I knew whether or not a unit will be there for me at launch. This is huge because folks now know ahead of launch day whether they will get a system. This means people won't be lining up at stores (not much, anyway). Afterall, why bother? Those lucky enough to get a machine? They have all day to pick it up. Those who don't, will know not to expend the effort. In the end, I got both of mine without much of a hassle. Just walk in, pay, and leave. Another friend of mine ordered from Amazon, and he got his as fast as the mailman can deliver. I'm assuming Gamestop and Amazon aren't the only guys on the ball, and this is important. Knowing where you stand - if you will get a machine or not - takes down the confusion. There are still some people who got the call saying they will NOT have their preorders filled first day. But that sure beats not knowing, getting too hyped about a machine that won't arrive for weeks.
In the end, the old problem persists. There still isn't enough for everybody. But I think the foundations are in place for smoother console launches in the future. Both companies supplied plenty of units and they made sure to set firm release dates for all the regions of the world. But the retail side also pulled through to a great degree, letting people know the status of their machines. There will still be those lucky people who walk into a store without a preorder and walked out with a next gen system. And there are people who still don't have one, but want one. But the most recent launches were a success. Not just in the amount of units sold, but on logistics, organization and customer service.
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