Fat Ninja

Perhaps I’m alone in my resentment of Bill Gates & Co. for an utter catastrophe that is the Xbox 360 “launch”. There’s a good likelihood that I’ve been incensed to record levels of contempt by not having a 360 when others do. But this doesn’t make my feelings unjustified.

 In short, I think the word that best describes the way I feel is shafted. Y’know, I commend MS for attempting an international launch, I really do. I applaud that level of ambition, but at the same time I harbor a lot of contempt for the fact that many gamers like me, in the country that has shown the greatest amount of support for the Xbox (I’ve had one since 11.15.01), are sitting here console-less. Thanks for the show of appreciation! Oh, but at least I have the option of getting financially plundered by some unscrupulous scalper on eBay, right?

It’s not like MS decided to do this international launch at the last minute. So, hey, here’s a thought: plan ahead. But instead, not only are there not nearly enough 360’s to go around, MS has done nothing that I can see to communicate any kind of updates to their consumers. It’s been nothing but empty platitudes about “factories” and working “24-hours a day” to “meet demand”. That means nothing to me.

So, where am I at now? I’m disgusted with the botched effort that is the 360 launch. Oh, I know what you’re all saying. “You should have pre-ordered, Dré.” And you’re right. I should have. I guess I just put a little too much faith in MS’s ability to anticipate demand for the 360. But here we are nearly 2 weeks after launch and there’s nary a word about new shipments.

And I assure you, it’s not just gamers that are agitated. In the words of the Best Buy employee with whom I spoke, “Bill Gates is a moron.” Why are they upset? Could it be the fact that they’ve purchased tons of software and peripherals that are now taking up floorspace as some of the world’s most expensive dust collectors? Possibly, but what do I know.

A Walmart employee, when asked when more 360’s could be expected, replied, “We’re not expecting more until February.” February? Surely, you are shitting me!? Oh, wait. That sounds more like MS shitting on me. By then I might as well just plunk $50 down on a PS3 pre-order. Oh, and I’m seriously considering it, let me tell you.

So, if this shortage crap is a ploy by MS to generate interest in the 360, it may just backfire. At least in my case.

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