Vivendi VP: Xbox "Needs Help" at Retail
- March 27, 2006 16:41 PM PST
- Email this!
The executive vice president of Vivendi Europe critiques Microsoft's handling of the original Xbox
The executive vice president of Vivendi Europe, Adam Roberts, is critiquing Microsoft's handling of the original Xbox, saying that the "Xbox probably needs help at the moment."
The GamesIndustry.biz interview highlights Roberts's concerns for the Xbox platform. His primary focus is retaining retail support for the original Xbox, which he feels is softening. "If retailers lose confidence in a format, then it's very difficult to get that confidence back," Roberts said.
Roberts contrasts Microsoft's handling of the original Xbox with Sony's handling of the PS2, saying that he's "a great believer in Sony and Sony's knowledge" concerning the PS2's lifespan.
Microsoft has come under fire for recently boosting the price of the original Xbox from $149 to $179 -- a move nearly unheard of in the video game industry. Some fans are also concerned that Microsoft is planning to drop support of the Xbox in favor of its new Xbox 360 platform. The company denies this charge, saying that it intends to support the Xbox "well into 2006."
