Microsoft will just have to put a big disclaimer on the box that says "requires high speed internet connection"

And when the 30-60 day return window is nearing the end, all those consoles that didn't sell on Craigslist and ebay will be making a return trip to stores across the land.

And this.

CheapyD over at CAG tweeted that PS4 preorders are 46% higher than Xbox One for him. Thought that was interesting.

By that logic, the WiiU will sell out first.

You can sit there and come up with all these scenarios based on what a consumer will do when in the store, even with specific instructions from their gift recipient.

If a kid says "I want an Xbox One!", the parents aren't always going to settle for the PlayStation 4 because it's $100 cheaper and apparently the same thing. If so, the WiiU is even cheaper.

It's irrelevant, my point is that both consoles will sell out, in any order, over the launch window so thinking there's going to be a 3-1 margin or whatever silly thing that isn't driven purely by supply is misguided.

Microsoft will, for a time, sell every unit they ship so there's no immediate detriment to the launch window.

Imagine if Avengers II and Star Wars VII open on the same weekend. "Last generation", everyone loved Avengers while the Star Wars line has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the "hardcore" (even a super exclusive like J.J. Abrams may not be enough!). Turns out, Avengers II is complete and utter shit while Star Wars VII blew everyone away. Do you think that Avengers II is going to have empty theaters or will it still have a record-shattering opening weekend?

Stores only got about 10 Xbox One Day One Editions to preorder, and 30-40 PS4...of course it's higher. Wait until Gamestop takes reserves on the normal Xbox One

Too lazy to check, but I was wondering about Sim City. Everyone knows about that debacle. But after all the posts and outrage, what happened? Was the game successful? Is the game still selling?

i.e. drugs are bad

I can see a lot of parents saying no to the Xbone due to always online and Kinect. I do agree that both consoles will most likely sell out quickly and remain hard to obtain through the holidays, though I also think a fair number of Xbones will get returned once uneducated parents figure out what all they entail. Regardless, barring production problems, the company that gets the initial lead likely won't be determined until the first quarter/half of next year.

Also, you really can't return an opened/played with new system so even if kids open it and parents decide they can't use it, they are screwed

After the debacle, people decided the game just wasn't that great even with the server kinks worked out. Needed to be a 64-bit mandatory game, the memory constraints of making it 32-bit compatible limited the game a great deal.

It still sold 2m copies and it helped shake things up at EA.

Really? Most stores' policies cover software, but I've never heard not allowing returns of opened consoles. I know BB, Walmart, Target, etc. will accept returns on opened electronics in general.

I was in line at custimer service at Target earlier this year and a guy returned an opened Wii U. I don't know whether or not he got his money back but I've never heard of there being complete return restrictions on consoles like that.

I've also never heard of that either, I've returned consoles before (Target and Best Buy)

Yeah, for sure Gamestop is like that. You open it, it's yours...ESPECIALLY consoles.

Another reason to never buy anything videogame related from Gamestop

lol, for sure.

I'm guessing he's talking about Amazon (through his affiliate link) and they had way more than 10.

And you are placing a lot of trust in people willing to pay $500 for a console. Wasn't that the main reason PS3 tripped so badly coming out of the gate?

Ironic, since the games they sell you as new come opened already...

Unfortunately I can only see parents that are informed and educated like the ones here making that choice. Your average harried Mom or Dad, that can afford it in some way, that don't care about videogames but want Little Jimmy to have what he has asked for will pick it up, $499 or not. When he then springs it on them that they have to connect it to the internet so he can use it if he has to, it may or may not be a problem. If he was already a Halo playing douche monster it won't matter.

What mom or dad pays $400 or $500 for a gift though? Does that happen?

Since most love nowadays is measured in terms of tangible items and how much money we spend on gifts I'm sure it's more than you think.

Although I would think most parents would flock to the Wii U if price was the overall deciding factor.

seriously. it was like pulling teeth to get the NES back in the day from my parents. I know it was a tough buy for them, but they got it for me one Xmas and I guess with inflation this wouldn't be much different.

It was a shock for me when I got my NES on Christmas 1989, but my grandparents and parents pooled in to get me it. Nowadays, I think kids kind of expect it and parents give in.

We're talking a different generation now. I know 2 people alread that plan on getting their kids a next gen system this Christmas.

I am sure cheapy is getting his numbers from clicks to amazon and other online purchases...In no way would the 10 limit at a local gamestop have anything to do with his preorder numbers.

How many kids have iPads?

Yeah, I get the feeling $400-$500 consoles for Christmas are pretty typical these days.