Microsoft befriends Nintendo in fight vs Sony
by Blake Snow 
{ May 11th 2006 at 9:00PM }
In an interview yesterday, Microsoft VP Peter Moore had this to say regarding the PS3's $500-$600 price tag: "Tell me why you would buy a $600 PS3. People are going to buy two (machines.) They're going to buy an Xbox and they're going to buy a Wii... for the price of one PS3."Can Nintendo and Microsoft fanboys join in the fight against Sony's high console market share? And it would be interesting to see if Nintendo shares the same co-op sentiment. But as for Microsoft, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
iceatcs @ May 11th 2006 9:05PM
One problem.
How he really knows Wii will be much cheaper. What if it will be going to cost $300 to $500.
We shall to wait for big N say it.
Ian @ May 11th 2006 9:06PM
Great to hear. As long as they're against Sony, I'm happy. An enemy of Sony is MY friend.
Linear_soul_child @ May 11th 2006 9:06PM
looks like M$ is a little afraid of Sony.
student @ May 11th 2006 9:06PM
He does do a good job of voicing what I've been debating in my head. My loyalties are first and foremost to Nintendo but I usually go two consoles a generation. Initially, Sony and Nintendo seemed a given as it worked so well for me last generation. However, the 360's lower price and nice stable of games starting to trickle out (and see at E3) are making me no longer confident. If only PS3 didn't have the Final Fantasy Series (my other loyalty). Nevertheless, no way I'm paying 600 dollars for a console.
Dauragon @ May 11th 2006 9:06PM
I think just the Final Fantasy Fanboy's will just devour everything. Not that I'm saying I'm a Final Fantasy Fanboy...er...it's just...I doubt there will be any cooperation between the fanboys of nintendo and microsoft. Personally the only thing that would make me buy a PS3 would be FFXIII and that's not comming out for a long time, and by then I hope it will have gone down in price. Now I just have to wait for Wii.
Evan @ May 11th 2006 9:08PM
interesting...
I still think that sony is gonna kill itself with that $600 price. $3 billion in research and development of the PS3 and a cost of production of about $900/unit... that's one expensive grave.
ab @ May 11th 2006 9:09PM
At #1
Nintendo have stated that it will be under $299. I'm thinking the $150-$250 price range.
Exile @ May 11th 2006 9:10PM
Do it! nintendo and microsoft fanboys unite kick sony in their idea stealing nuts
MegaMatt @ May 11th 2006 9:10PM
Our two sides shall join and overcome. The 360 and Wii truly are the perfect combo.
Kevin @ May 11th 2006 9:12PM
Well, not sure if Peter is right. But in my case, he's right about my purchase. I'm sticking w/ the current gen for a while, gonna buy a Wii on launch, and an X360 in '07.
j. @ May 11th 2006 9:12PM
This is actually what I might end up doing. Buy a Wii at launch and then wait for a price drop for the 360, probably another 2 years or so.
And when (if) the PS3 drops to under 300 canadian, I might get my hands on it.
At least Microsoft realises that Nintendo will not be in direct competition with them, I respect that.
If only Squre Enix pulled a GTA and gave FFXIII to Microsoft after a year or two, my life will be sweet.
This is a little off-topic, but when I see games that I bought the first day they came out selling for a full 40$ less today, it just makes me drop away from all the hype. Actually, the last game I bought for my PS2 was FF X-2 on the first day! On XBOX, it was Forza in the first month it was out. And on the GC, it was NHL 06. Where is the need to buy everything as it comes out?
Jason W @ May 11th 2006 9:13PM
I think i will fall into this group. Im not feeling a 500 to 600 console price point. I already have a system that is, as far as I can tell, looks as good as the ps3. And the REVO contoller looks like a console version of the DS i love. So if i wanna play tekken or kill zone ill do it on my psp or ps2 for awhile. Until the price drops down to 400 or less, im not interested.
Leto @ May 11th 2006 9:17PM
He obviously got that idea from a Joystiq reader, I saw this idea posted yesterday in one of the E3 poll threads. Proposing this partnership shows fear of the PS3. It isn't that smart of an idea if you think about it, if every person who buys a 360 also buys a Wii, he/she will have less money to spend on Xbox 360 games. Xbox 360 consoles are sold at a loss of about $126, so they rely on game sales for profit. The only one that would win with this idea is Nintendo if they manage to sell the Wii console at a profit instead of a loss, but even so I'm sure Nintendo would rather prefer people spend money on Wii games instead of on a 360.
Shiro @ May 11th 2006 9:18PM
You know, as a self-proclaimed "Intelligent Nintendo Fanboy", it would take some getting used to to accept the 360. It's not like I dislike the machine, or the games, really... I just hate Microsoft as a company, and I don't especially like to support them. But... maybe. It could happen. Maybe I'll just play my friend's machine.
Oh, and as for the original post, let's be elegant, and use the real wording of the phrase: "An enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine".
Well, now that I have that out of my system... I am disappointed in Sony. Or Fony. However it's spelled nowadays. There's a difference between building a system and company strategy around an idea, but to copy that and apply it so amateurishly? That's a gimmick. I just hope it doesn't work and drive sales too much... Educate the masses, I say.
System @ May 11th 2006 9:18PM
Everyones talking about getting an Xbox 360 as the primary console and getting a Wii too, or just getting a Wii, it will be the same price as a PS3 (probally lower) when the Xbox 360's price drops.
And why was that one person saying FF fanboys will make the PS3 the best? Everyone thinks that the FF games got worse and worse after FF7, and didn't the latest one get bad sales?
l0tus @ May 11th 2006 9:19PM
"And when (if) the PS3 drops to under 300 canadian, I might get my hands on it."
...when? in 2010?
Milton Bradley? @ May 11th 2006 9:20PM
Yes, I think the 360 and the Revolution is the best choice for the next-generation at the moment, especially price-wise. Thumbs up for affordable next-gen consoles like the 360 and Revolution, using DVD as their format instead of opting for a newer technology like the HD-DVD and the Blu-Ray.
Don't get me wrong. I'm very neutral in the gaming world. I go where the games go. I WILL GET the Playstation 3 by the end of the year or in the beginning of next year once Sony has taken care of the minor bugs in the first batch of the consoles.
But yes, the PS3 is expensive. If anyone wanting to go HD gaming, better off with a cheaper solution like the 360 or Wii.
Ace_ofspade @ May 11th 2006 9:21PM
"Can Nintendo and Microsoft fanboys join in the fight against Sony's high console market share?"
Yes... wii can. Maybe one day.
YouWantHowMuchForAPS3?!?!?!? @ May 11th 2006 9:22PM
That's gonna be my plan of attack. It worked for me last gen (although I did finally break down and get a PS2 a few months ago). I hope to get a 360 in the next few months and then a Wii a year or two down the line. Nothing Sony has exclusively is worth $600. The only reason I might get a PS3 later is if and when God of War 3 comes out. Even then though I'd wait till the price comes down.
Warfare @ May 11th 2006 9:24PM
Wii = $200 - $250
X360p = $399 (+ wifi ($100) + HD-DVD ($100) + 1 year Live ($70) + Card Reader ($40)+ HDMI (?) = $710
PS3 prem = $599 (wifi (incl) + HD player (incl) + online gaming (incl) + Card Reader (incl) + HDMI (incl) = $599
----------------------------------------------------
Wii ($200) + X360p ($710) = $910
Wii ($200) + PS3p ($599) = $799
Ben Hollis @ May 11th 2006 9:29PM
I'd love to see a Joystiq poll about what combos people are going to get now that they've seen the reality of the PS3. If only we had all the info on the Revolution.
Rawnblade @ May 11th 2006 9:29PM
Wii shall overcoooome..
But this got me really excited. If Nintendo acknowledges the semi-alliance, I'll jump for joy.
Kwipper @ May 11th 2006 9:30PM
I really wish that Sony didn't decide to addon a bunch of that stuff and use a format that isn't even proven yet. Then the cost of the development would be down.
jay @ May 11th 2006 9:31PM
I'm getting a 360 in a bit. its grown on me as a system. and the fact that I already have an Xbox kinda helps that.
Card reader? Why would I want a card reader for a console? the 360 has a HDD and memory cards. Card reader? makes no sense. $40 for one?! bloody hell they're only 10 here. I don't want a HD-DVD player. Or wifi (wireless powerbook LAN sharing the internet)
360 is the better buy for me.
I dunno. Sony have lost already. Or so it seems.
Game Artist @ May 11th 2006 9:32PM
I love how the ps3 fanboys add all sorts of useless junk to the price of the 360 to justify their chosen love. You can play games on a 360 for $300 right now. Sony is a mininum of $500. Thats what its really about. Playing games. It'll ne a moot point for quite awhile though as I doubt there will be a ready supply of ps3's for at least 6 months after launch.
Jedimonkey @ May 11th 2006 9:33PM
I truly believe that a semi partnership against Sony would benefit both Nintendo and Microsoft. Nintendo has set up their console so that it will be most gamer?s second game system, and I think that Microsoft really understands this and realizes that they must set them up to be the other console in gamers' rosters. All three companies know that the market is not quite big enough for three competitors and eliminating one would drastically increase profits for the remaining companies.
Sony has taken the strategy of eliminating Microsoft through an aggressive marketing campaign and through their exclusive titles, but I think that they are overestimating their fans. The extremely high price of the PS3 is going to be the downfall of the PS3 because all of the parents and college students who go to the store to look for games are going to see the high price of the PS3 and the relatively low prices of the Wii and 360.
I owned an Xbox and a Gamecube this generation and I never thought about getting a PS2. I may get one in a while when they become dirt cheap, but with my two current-gen consoles I have been perfectly happy as a gamer. The PS3 and the 360 are almost indistinguishable to the average consumer so I believe that Sony has really shot themselves in the foot.
Plus, if MS and Ninty team up that will push Sony to increase there tactics and to start being more aggressive, and if you consider yourself a true gamer, you have to think that that will be good. Sony will stop over-hyping their products and start focusing on quality games. I play all games, but I love Nintendo and I want to see all companies fight hard, for the sake of all games.
Geoff @ May 11th 2006 9:34PM
They should sell the Wii and xBox 360 together
Call it the Wii-60 or 3-6-Wii.
The upcoming console battles will be fun, and ultimately it is us gamers who win.
Spoon @ May 11th 2006 9:34PM
Wii60 for the win.
LaughingMan @ May 11th 2006 9:35PM
This is unfolding like The Godfather. I can see Peter Moore being consigliere to Bill Gates:
"Now we have the XBL and a year's head start, those are the best things to have right now. But if we don't side with the Nintendo's, this will turn into a war that will be disasterous to the head of the 3 families."
"If the HD-DVD dies, Nelson, you make that call"
And so on and so forth :)
Scott @ May 11th 2006 9:35PM
YES We shall Unite!
When the two powers come together they Create!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE Wii60
Ben Hollis @ May 11th 2006 9:36PM
I don't *want* Wifi or card readers or HDMI (ok I wouldn't mind HDMI). I'm actually rather annoyed that th Wii has Wifi, when they could make it cheaper by just having an ethernet port.
And #26 is right - I love the idea of the Wii, but I'd rather just have Nintendo sell Wiimotes as excessories to the 360, and publish their games for the 360. That way I'd have my same friends list, and achievements, and music and all that.
Belcho @ May 11th 2006 9:37PM
20. Wii = $200 - $250
X360p = $399 (+ wifi ($100) + HD-DVD ($100) + 1 year Live ($70) + Card Reader ($40)+ HDMI (?) = $710
PS3 prem = $599 (wifi (incl) + HD player (incl) + online gaming (incl) + Card Reader (incl) + HDMI (incl) = $599
----------------------------------------------------
Wii ($200) + X360p ($710) = $910
Wii ($200) + PS3p ($599) = $799
What if I don't need/want Wifi for my 360? I have a choice. I don't necessarily need a card reader for my console, who thought that would be a good idea? I have a PC.
I'm an HD nut, but I'm not really excited about either of the new formats.
Plus how much are games on a BD gonna cost anyway? More expensive media means more expensive games. Has anyone thought about this?
I love my Live service, but Sony only said that THEY aren't going to charge for online multiplayer. Who's to say that they publishers won't? They're the ones with all the overhead for it right?
David @ May 11th 2006 9:39PM
Thanks warfare I was just about to say the same thing
you just said. It's really crazy to see how people where saying that the HD-DVD add-on for the 360 at $100 was a steal, and they would be buying one...effectively driving their 360 costs to $500...then you add live and it's $570...there we already are $30 less than the most expensive PS3 configuration and have much less features than the PS3 at $600.
I guess it just isn't as hard-hitting to pay for everything individually, even though you'll end paying more in the end. So after seeing that I can see the PS3 is a fairly good deal...but mom, dad and your regular grandma won't be able to analyze that come christmas time when they see expensive console at $400 and other expensive thingy at $600...they'll probably go for the cheapest one...sony will really have to promote themselves pretty good this holyday season.
Moogle @ May 11th 2006 9:40PM
Wii ($200) = $200
Being a fanboy of the cheapest system makes my wallet happy. I think I'll buy every release title (except madden, sports blech!) with all the money I save. :)
I don't think $150 is a realistic price. $200 would make me happy. $300 is right out, it will certainly be cheaper than 360 core. I think the price delay is to make sure it stays at least $50 below 360, so I think they want to sell it for $250 but are willing to go lower.
That Moore said that actually casts him in a positive light for me. It worries me when leaders are fanatical. Fanboys like me are supposed to be the fanatics, right? :)
DMON @ May 11th 2006 9:44PM
i too shall go with the combo. Wii at launch. 360 around next summer. i'll buy most electronics, as long as its not sony. those arogent bastards. Wii60 indeed.
Caleb @ May 11th 2006 9:44PM
#20
Blue Ray games = $69.99
HDMI Cable = $50.00
Regardles...I already own a "360" there are some great games comming out for it. And I am getting a Wii, can't wait to have the best of both worlds. Sony has relied on its name for so long that it doesnt even work on or move on innovation. Glad to see that people are picking up on this. Long live 36Wii
new*allusion @ May 11th 2006 9:59PM
Peter Moore is a very clever man. I can see exactly what he's done here, and it involves using you, the reader, cross-promoting his product, for free.
I think Nintendo will just continue to do what it does, and they would be wise to. Iwata-san won't just come out at E3 tomorrow and say "We have decided to form a partnership with Microsoft to get Sony out of the market!". If Microsoft dropkicks Sony out of the market you, and Nintendo, know where they would turn to next.
This is pure marketing spiel to harness the power of fanboys (do not be mistaken, you are a powerful bunch!) to work in tandem to criticise a competitor's product. The worst thing is that it will probably work too based on the comments I've read across forums in the last few days.
Nintendo and Microsoft fanboys seem to have found common cause in eradicating the "evil" Sony corporation from gaming. "They stole Live!"; "They stole the Wii controller!" Yes, you could look at it that way, but think about it carefully.
It seems people aren't aware that a balanced market is very useful for gaming. Nintendo have picked up on this and have diversified to stay afloat and draw more interest. It is good to have Sony and Microsoft. If it was just Sony there would be less focus on internet gaming. If it was just Microsoft then there would not be innovations like the EyeToy, Singstar and risky arty games like Ico may never have been made. Both companies are now cloning features (there isn't much of a noise being made about the 360's camera, although it could also be classed as "stolen") and racing to introduce any other new ideas they can think of. It's good for us! The Wii controller- Sony tried to steal the Wii's thunder with a cynical marketing ploy which everyone, in every media outlet, has seen straight through and heavily criticised them for. Their offering isn't the same and it isn't as good, but you can understand the reasons it is there.
If you have to pay $500/$600 for a console you expect it to have the latest features, and this is just another part of Sony "future-proofing" the PS3, as you can see with Blu-Ray and 1080p. But it won't "steal" Wii sales.
At Sony's high pricepoint it is far more likely that Nintendo's competition is actually from Microsoft themselves. If Microsoft drop the price of their Core system this holiday (as they have hinted) it will probably be very close to $200, the assumed pricepoint of the Wii; the "accessible" pricepoint that Nintendo is seeking so that the Wii can penetrate as many households as possible, will suddenly see Nintendo getting direct competition from Microsoft. Not everyone can buy both, and Microsoft are very good at hyping their products. And I'll be damned if Microsoft don't one day release their own motion sensitive controller (again). Meanwhile Sony will sell PS3s to a limited market of those who can afford them for the foreseeable future, rather then actually "taking" sales from Nintendo (and to a lesser extent Microsoft).
Conclusion- Don't fall for it. Moore is simply tapping into ill-feeling from those who feel Sony has "stolen" something, it's not actually a formal handshake between Microsfot and Nintendo. If you think it is though, it will end in tears. Get whatever console(s) (another assumption by Moore is that you will need two consoles) has the games that interest you, not the ones Peter Moore tells you are the perfect compliment.
Aran @ May 11th 2006 10:00PM
Hooray! It's Wii and X360 definitely. With that combo I bet I'll get at least 70-80% of the best next-gen games. It seems only game I'm really gonna miss is MGS4. Well, too bad. Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Halo, Gears of War, Alan Wake and many others are sure to bring me some comfort. ^^
Steve Beeching @ May 11th 2006 10:00PM
Nintendo are releasing the wii at $129, according to 1up.com and a few other places.
Spaced @ May 11th 2006 10:01PM
It's nice to see Microsoft using the Wii against the PS3 as Nintendo hoped they would but when I think about things. In order to make the 360 close to as functional as the PS3 it ends up costing way more. Anyone who can read between the lines has to see this. I'll wait for the PS3 game pricing to make up my mind. If a PS3 game runs for the same price as a 360 game or is only 5 bucks more the PS3 will be better deal for me. I usually buy between 20-40 titles per console. 5 dollars more for a PS3 title would probably put it in the same lifespan pricerange as a 360. But if it ends up costing 10+ more for a PS3 title I may resign and get a 360...but then again, the games I really want are on the PS3. Talk about a no-win situation.
Regardless, I'll be getting a wii. It looks like a lot of fun.
Don Wilson @ May 11th 2006 10:02PM
Wii60 combo for me.
Michael Moore of Video games @ May 11th 2006 10:04PM
Why the hell are fanboys agree with Peter moore!?
First talks of going against sony later Nintendo being swallowed by microsoft!! Get a clue!!!
Apple will agree! Look what happen when they tried going after then giant IBM with Micro$oft! BAM right in the rear Apple. Maybe Nintendo should be taking advise from Apple.
Darth Pixel @ May 11th 2006 10:08PM
Here is the deal...I have seen what the Wii output looks like on a HD set.
My take: The Wii will be the system of people who do not own a HDTV.
Xbox 360 and/or PS 3 will be bought by those who own a HDTV and want to enjoy HD games as well as HD movies.
As a note, there is no way Nintendo would ever side with Microsoft. In fact, they would rather merge with Sony than partner with Microsoft.
Dracura @ May 11th 2006 10:11PM
Of for effe's sake, shut up you M$ fan-pansies! Wii and PS3 are going to be the best consoles made for the next decade! Notice how I['m siding with both Nintendo and Sony. Sure, Sony has made some mistakes in the past, but those are pretty much contained to just SOE. And as for ripping off, no. Consider that ~90% of games for the Wii will be made to take full advantage of the Wiimote. Now look at the PS3. Only a handful of games will be made to use the tilt sensor, whereas the Wii will center around the sensor of it's controller. For the PS3, the tilt sensor is more of an option than a full blown feature.
And once again, go to hell Microsoft!
Murc @ May 11th 2006 10:12PM
He nailed it. I plan on getting a 360...and the wii really impressed me at E3. I'll probably get a wii a few months after launch, and I plan on getting my 360 when the P$3 is released...I'm hoping for the premium to drop to 300...400 is to much for a console (at least for me).
Freezair @ May 11th 2006 10:12PM
Interesting notion! You know, thinking about it, I can definitely see this working. With any luck, the fact that it's getting pwned by such much cheaper systems will prompt Sony to lower the price of its console (hopefully by removing the mandatory Blu-Ray drive--I neither need nor want one), making it more easily available for us all. Again, it's the consumers who really benefit, though Sony'll probably end up taking a kidney punch or two.
I hadn't really thought about getting a 360, but then remembered that it has Rare. I still like ol' Rareware. I may have to dive in after getting my Wii...
Wii60 FTW!
Princess Zelda @ May 11th 2006 10:12PM
I'm planing on doing that.
I bought my Gamecube first then my Xbox latter in this generation. Nintendo had the great fun games I loved but Xbox had the PC games I couldn't play on my Mac. Also I went with the Xbox because of the great racing games Nintendo didn't have Forza and Project Gotham racing. I also didn't have to buy memory cards for the Xbox and all the games released on the Xbox are availible in North America. I get sick of buying a console and reading the really good games for the system are in Japanes language , I'd have to import them and mod my console.
Brian @ May 11th 2006 10:13PM
What is with the Sony animosity. Sony did themselves a great disservice by announcing the price in their press conference, it has clouded people's view of the games. I have been more impressed by the PS3's stable of games than anything else at E3. Sony needs tp learn to adapt to an age of streaming webcasts and add some performance to their press conference. It was boring. And people walked away thinking all there wasfor the PS3 were CG. What about MGS4, Assassin's Creed, that Marvel game whose name I forgot where you can build a super hero dream team, Stranglehold, the long awaited follow-up to Warhawk?
I will be saving my money for the PS3 but probably won't get one at launch (1st generation Sony harware is always unreliable). I do think adding the gyros was dumb. Not because it was "stolen", Sony had a gyro controller in the works years ago. It's just so useless and gives people a way to attack the PS3 for no real reason.
Brian @ May 11th 2006 10:15PM
And how does eliminating competitors help? We need as many people in the game industry as possible, competition will inevitably result in a search for greater quality.
Liquidd @ May 11th 2006 10:17PM
Did Nintendo not say long ago that they were going to price their console so that the consumer would be in a position to have an additional console besides theirs?
Nintendo is going to be making the "Party Console" that you, your family, and your friends play.
Microsoft and Sony are making the "Gamer's Console" that you will play the latest Hi-Def, Adult games on.
Nintendo doesn't want to "Win" the gaming market, and honestly, neither does Mircosoft or Sony. They all want the market to grow, and if by having Microsoft console owners also buy a Wii (and vice versa), then by all means, the market gets that much more income and lives to see another day.
Obviously Microsoft is not threatened by the Wii, but at the same time, they don't want to dismiss it either.