No shit, what about families that have 2 or 3 kids and it's a combined present? Just because our parents didn't do it and we don't do it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Where do you think all those racist homophobes on XBL come from? Mowing lawns?

I'm buying a PS4 anyway, but as a parent, I can say that even if I wasn't already getting it for myself, a $399 console is more attractive than a $499 console. Especially when it's just as much of a brand name as the more expensive one.

I don't think I'm alone.

Fixed that for you. I know it's hard to imagine there are shitty parents raising shitty kids out there, but there's plenty that take the path-of-least-resistance in the home and will spend the extra $100 because that's what the "little asshole-from-my-second-marriage's" list says.

Xbox could have easily come in at the same price if they offered a Kinect-less version. Yes, the Kinect 2 does some nifty things for the non-gaming techies, but why did it have to be mandatory? Are game publishers going to be shoehorned into fitting Kinect features into every one of their XB1 titles? If not, I can't imagine why it's so important to have your Kinect always connected for your system to operate.

It was 15 years ago now, but I spent 3 years working off and on at the local Toys R Us. And some of that in the video game section. Parents went for the cheaper option more often than not.

And I can't believe a majority of people about to drop $600+ (adding a game and tax) on anything wouldn't do cursory research on that purchase. It would take 5 minutes to find out that you'd need constant broadband connection, a camera would be in your living room pointed at your kids at all times and none of the old games worked on it.

Alright, then let's say you're right. A parent walks into TRU or BB or whatever to buy "an xbox".

There are 3 options:

WiiU for $300 (by Black Friday)
PS4 for $400
X1 for $500

Which are they going to choose? And what if that one is out of stock? Then what?

The bottom line is, that no matter which order of logic you follow, the latter two will definitely be sold out. It doesn't matter about cursory research when you're under the wire.

Either the parent gets the "Xbox" that the kid wants or they settle for a substitute. Eventually that substitute runs out so the the next parent that comes in for a "PlayStation" sucks it up and buys the Xbox.

We can sit here and run scenarios all day. The only fact is that demand for either or both will exceed supply so none of it matters other than on Christmas morning when that shithead opens his gift and it's not the one he wanted.

Eh, I guess don't have such a negative view of children/parents as you do. Sure, there are monsters out there (that's why I don't even plug in my 360 headset anymore) but I still think price wins out more often than not and Microsoft is now the most expensive system on the market. That's a dumb position to put yourself in, especially when you offer no benefits over the cheaper brand and added issues (internet connectivity, camera in your living room).

I mean, they are going to have to put that "Must Be Connected to the Internet!" on there somewhere.

Younger people are better informed about games and systems than we want to believe. I have already seen responses from some of my students, that are also Xbox fans, that have stated that they are going in the direction of the PS4 this go around. Only the hardest of the hardcore xboxers and the truly uninformed will go in the direction of the Xbone.

Yeah, in fine print on the bottom of the box.

There Will Be Returns!

In addition, the few Xbox exclusives have really lost steam lately for having gone to the well too many times. I'm sure there are still some people who will have to buy it to get the fifth Gears game or the seventh Halo game, but the momentum for those two series really seems to have cooled in comparison to Borderlands and CoD.

That's because the last gears game sucked!

Here's a console size comparison fwiw:

I have three teenagers and I spend about 400 bucks on each of them for Christmas...I know my son will want a ps4, so if there is not a supply problem I will probably pick him one up for him, but he will know that is the only thing he is getting from me...

My parents still give me $200 every Christmas (and hell I'm 30), been that way since I was like 10.

Lessons learned?

Note to parents - at least pretend to know your kids.

Note to kids - who cares if your parents don't know shit about you, you just got cash.

Foxdvd, can you adopt me? I know that the PS4 is the only gift I will get from you.

Oh yeah, my daughter "graduated" from Junior High and my wife is taking her to Seattle to the McCartney (her favorite artist) concert. And she's also receiving an iPhone 5. And probably a Mac Air when she starts HS.

WTF, kids these days, jesus.

Oh wait I got a car when I graduated from High School.

Fuck, I'm glad I'm Jewish.

"Here kids, have some chocolate coins and a dreidel. Now shut up while I drink my Manischewitz."

And I'm not saying that the Xbone WON'T sell out this holiday season. Obviously it will. The question is, will it be the system of choice for the majority of people? My guess is no.

Word travels incredibly fast, especially amongst kids these days too. Gamers have a pack mentality in general, partially because multiplayer games aren't open to play with other platforms so I can see a problem if the xbox restrictions give it an uncool reputation when combined with the more expensive price. I'm still skeptical that any of this pre-release back and forth will translate into a sales impact, but we will see in November.

Here's the thing though that we have not seen, the Kinect and the games that will be strictly Kinect oriented. IMO, it is going to be a huge selling point to the families. Most critics themselves are saying it is WAY better than the original and you know a good portion of those games will be family and party oriented to say the least. So in regards to what will on the "family" wishlist despite the price difference I can see Xbone be on more lists than PS4's for sure. Now obviously it has already been noted that supply will probably run into being a factor though around the holiday season so time will tell on that. And in regards to parents being informed about the Kinect "spying" on their kids, etc. It's already been noted that it will not always need to be "on" like that, and just set-up for example to only react to Xbox on" for example and not recording the room activity going on while it is "off". As always, time will tell though and I definitely feel as well that MS screwed the pooch in making it mandatory. Hell, down the road I'd be willing to have bought the system now for $350 and then the Kinect for $200 it looks that good. Right there MS you gain an extra $50 out of me. Instead though I'll probably be waiting until $400 and it coming bundled with game(s).

And by that logic, the Leapster will sell out first. Apples to oranges.

What I'm trying to say is...ain't nobody got time for no WiiU.

How many of those families already have a Kinect beta version gathering dust or packed up in a box somewhere? Fool me once...

The *only* thing my kids have liked on Kinect is Dance Central. I don't see a Dance Central 4 coming out at launch with the Xbone. Show me the must-have Kinect game releasing at launch/Christmas?

Daniel Day Lewis was great in that