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Verizon running low on FiOS TV HD boxes?
Yeah, we've seen shortages caused by unexpected upticks in demand before, and unfortunately, it's new FiOS TV customers that'll be feeling the pain this 'go round. Shortly after hooking up its one millionth customer, the carrier is now being forced to tell consumers that they won't be able to get a Motorola HD receiver or HD DVR right away. According to a number of user reports, company reps have been informing folks that the wait could be as long as a month, but a Motorola spokeswoman has reportedly said that it's working closely with the company in order to relieve the shortage. We know FiOS TV has been spreading its wings of late, so we're curious to know: have you been affected by said shortage, or did you get in just under the wire?[Via Multichannel News, thanks Jonathan E.]
Smash shortage threatens Japan
In what must be the biggest threat to Japan since Godzilla, reports are coming in that retailers might not be able to meet demand for Super Smash Bros. Brawl come January 31st. According to Canned Dogs, Lepton (a games retailer in Japan) bemoans that the store is only getting 154 copies of the game from Nintendo. That's not even close to meeting the 800 preorders that the retailer has received, let alone walk-ins. Lepton is even paying over retail price to get Brawl from other sources (meaning they'll lose money by selling the game), so that the store can honor more of its preorders. Because the entire country seems to be facing shortages, though, Lepton has only been able to come by 100 extra units, even at inflated prices. The initial Brawl shipment for Japan is reputed to be only 300,000-400,000 copies, which is not much for a popular title in a country with 5 million Wii gamers. Import retailer NCSX is also reporting a small supply, and has stopped taking preorders as a result.Does this mean we'll see riots in Japan on the eve of February, incited by frustrated gamers longing to get their hands on the Wii's most anticipated game to date? And, is it possible that North American gamers will face similar shortages when Brawl releases here in March? We can only hope the answer to both of these questions is, "no."[Via Japanator]
Wii Warm Up: No More Copies
Like many game nerds, this blogger did the unthinkable and left the house today, in search of the newly-released No More Heroes. And after warnings from friends and fellow bloggers that supplies were slim, I lamented my decision to work at my job before trying to secure a copy of the game. After three stores, I was finally rewarded with an opportunity to wait in line and pay fifty bucks. It looks like GameStops got only enough copies to cover preorders, which makes us think that Ubisoft lacked confidence in the game's sales potential.If you went out for No More Heroes yesterday without a preorder (or even with one!), did you succeed in acquiring the game? Were there other purchasers in line ahead of you? Which stores did you try, and how many did it take? I want to look at my own little adventure in a positive light, as an indication that the game's selling.%Gallery-4611%
Pachter states the obvious: strong sales in early '08
Oh, that Michael Pachter. Even when he's running off at the mouth, he manages to at least keep us entertained. Now he's back with some terribly obvious predictions on industry sales for the early months of 2008. Pachter's latest revelation? Due to the strong upcoming release schedule, gaming sales will continue to stretch for the heights. Now, we understand that Pachter is an expert and we are but peons here, but, really -- wasn't that a little ... predictable? In keeping with the spirit of prediction here, we have one of our own: we anticipate that the Wii and DS will continue to be snapped up whenever and wherever they appear on shelves for a few months, due to all the people who couldn't get their hands on one during the holidays.
Nintendo, Wii GHIII make list of blunders
Next-Gen has compiled a fairly accurate list of some of the worst -- or at least, dumbest -- events to befall the industry this year. From Gerstmanngate to Jack Tretton offering to buy any PS3s hanging around on shelves (boy, that one was embarrassing), the year's greatest flubs are tied up here in one neat package. And success aside, even Nintendo is not immune.Despite their banner year, Nintendo made a few miscalculations of their own -- namely, in their lack of Wii supply. While it seems that every effort was made to ramp up production, the shortages cost Iwata and co. a fair share of that giant pile o' cash they're lounging upon. But the real head-shaker came with the Wii's Guitar Hero III and the Case of the Missing Audio Necessities, which popped in at number three on the list. Thanks to a tipster, we first noticed the sound problems in late October, and while a fix has been promised, owners are still waiting on replacement discs, which will be available in "early 2008." Now that's a blunder.
Wii unavailability costing Nintendo a billion in sales
Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Or in this case, the consumers are doomed to repeat it. The New York Times reports that when it comes to getting a Wii in 2007, its looking remarkably similar to 2006. Analysts say Nintendo is leaving $1 billion in sales "on the table" by not having enough consoles to satiate demand this holiday.Nintendo of America's George "One foot out the door" Harrison tells the NYT that the company hasn't made any mistakes, though it does worry about consumers purchasing another system. Lazard Capital Market's Colin Sebastian is quoted in the piece as saying 86,000 Wiis have hit eBay since Dec. 4, with the average end price for the system being $320, a 28% increase over retail. If you're still looking for a Wii this holiday, just keep calling stores every day -- obtaining one at this point is not for the weak.
Microsoft struggling with UK Xbox 360 demand
According to Microsoft's Xbox UK head, Stephen McGill, the company is currently struggling to keep up with demand. Speaking with Gamespot UK, McGill says the warehouse is receiving stock and then getting it out to retailers as quickly as possible. He even says the company is having difficulty in finding enough vans to get systems out.We're all quite aware of the Wii shortages, but Xbox 360 shortages? Anything is possible as this generation of game consoles really begins to gear up. We know that the PS3 has been rallying in Europe according to Sony, so why not the Xbox 360? In the absence of Wii, others will win.
Wii ads in UK pulled to curtail demand
Unable to meet current demand for the Wii this holiday season, Nintendo UK has decided to step back its advertising, replacing its promotional spots for the console with ads for the Nintendo DS instead. Despite ramping up its production and manufacturing a reported 1.8 million Wiis a month, Nintendo still has yet to overcome its stock shortage troubles in Britain.A spokesman for the company remarked, "We have been running the campaign all year round, but we want to take a responsible stance this Christmas and not fuel demand." Essentially, it'd be cruel to wag the system in front of consumers who have no hope of buying a Wii anytime soon. Nintendo plans to reinstate its marketing push "when the Christmas rush is over."[Via MaxConsole]
Final reminder to get Wii before Black Friday (and holiday season)
The Associated Press has a a fantastically long-winded article that boils down to a very simple premise: If you are buying a Wii for the holidays, get one right now! The article has lovely quotes and fantastic figures, but all it's really trying to do is give a "red alert" to a mainstream audience that Wii will be scarce this holiday -- the BBC already did a similar story last week.One man on the street interviewed by the AP was John Lawrence of Texas who said, "People have not gotten into the Christmas shopping mode. Once people get into that mindset, this is going to be an impossibility as it was last year." That's what we say too, but maybe people will listen if John Lawrence of Texas says it. So, if you're a parent reading this, or a nice sibling picking up a Wii for your kid brother/sister, try go picking one up today. You've got today to shop in relative peace while everyone is at the supermarket picking up supplies. All bets are off on Friday.
Want a Zapper? Go to a store!
One year ago, pretty much everyone failed to predict the success of the Wii. It looks like that may be happening on a smaller scale this week, as online retailers appear to already be out of Zapper/Link's Crossbow Training packs. The ones that aren't out of stock have yet to receive their stock, showing a release date of tomorrow.As of right now, EB/GameStop, Amazon, CompUSA, Sears, and Wal-Mart are "backordered" or "out of stock." Buy.com, Target, and Circuit City list it as coming out tomorrow. Toys R Us, Outpost.com/Fry's, Best Buy, Micro Center and KMart refuse to acknowledge the peripheral's existence.Basically, it looks like if you want one of these things, you're going to have to go outside. Try (the physical locations of) Wal-Mart, CompUSA or Sears where, if the in-store prices match the online prices, you'll be charged the MSRP rather than the premium $25 price some retailers are sticking on there. Of course, shark guns remain cheap and plentiful.
Nintendo cranking out 1.8 million Wiis per month
It's not like you really needed another PSA to reinforce just how difficult getting your hands around a Wii this holiday season will be, but a recent interview with Nintendo of America's marketing chief George Harrison did make mention of that fact. More specifically, he stated that it was "still expecting some shortages in December," but noted that the Big N wouldn't be "pulling back on its marketing." Potentially more interesting is Mr. Harrison's assertion that the firm is currently producing some 1.8 million Wiis per month, and it's having to make decisions of where to send shipments to "nearly every week." 'Course, the chat couldn't end without some reference to the rivals, and the exec concluded by proclaiming that Nintendo "doesn't focus a lot on the competition," as "its performance seems to be independent of those two."[Via 1UP]
Dragon Quest IV poised to cause riots, hair-pulling
Uh oh -- a Japanese retailer posted this sign, warning Dragon Quest devotees that supplies of Dragon Quest IV for the DS may be limited. The game, which goes on sale November 22, is likely to be somewhat popular in Japan, and retailer Tsutaya is encouraging people to pre-order as soon as possible, because there's not likely to be enough copies to go around. This could become serious business; after all, no one wants to see cosplayers fighting it out in the streets. In the meantime, maybe we should start a betting pool on sales predictions ....
Wii Warm Up: Shortages
Nearly a year into the release of the Wii, the shortages continue. Some areas enjoyed a little short-lived respite, but with the holidays around the corner, it seems that once again -- for a variety of possible reasons -- getting your hands on a Wii is about as common as spying a leprechaun in the wild. As a Nintendo fan, does the continued demand for the console surprise you? Certainly, during the holidays, it makes sense; during November and December, it can be difficult to find a toothpick, much less a hot commodity, but it's not like this is new. Did you expect things might taper off a little? Nintendo seemed to expect it, even if you didn't, at least now that we've all gotten over the initial shock that came with everyone demanding a Wii.
BBC reminds that Wii supply is still an issue
The BBC is letting the mainstream know that getting a Wii this holiday is going to be tough. They report retailers in London are having a hard time keeping up with demand and that they've been informed 3.5 million "extra" consoles are being shipped globally; however, they don't know how many of those will make it to the UK. Quick answer: Not many.Essentially what this all boils down to is we're having holiday season '06 all over again with the Wii. Although the BBC is letting the general public know about this now, it's not like Nintendo hasn't been giving fair warning since April. They even reiterated the message of supply issues in September. No matter where you are on our little rock floating in space, if you want a Wii (or know somebody that does), just keep calling your local retailer to find out about their next shipment, because the difficulty in getting a Wii is going to ramp up exponentially starting next week.
Samsung resumes chip production, minifies losses
Merely hours after Samsung was staring at "at least" $54 million in losses from an unexpected power outage at its Giheung complex, the firm is now reporting that the half dozen production lines are "fully operational." Moreover, the outfit is now projecting losses to peak at around $43 million, which actually doesn't sound too horrific compared to prior estimates. It was noted, however, that the disruption could extend a shortage of NAND flash memory through "at least the first half of August," and reports are already claiming that prices of select NAND chips have risen "6.3-percent to a record $19.02."
Power outage halts Samsung's flash memory production, shortages expected
Samsung, the worldwide leader in flash memory production, has been forced to "shut down six of its chip production lines after a power outage occurred at a plant near Seoul," and while recent reports suggest that "operations should be restored within a day," the lasting effects could linger on for quite some time. Reportedly, the outage occurred at Samsung's Giheung complex and disrupted production of flash memory, DRAM, and logic chips, and while this may not sound too significant to the average outsider, estimates are already pegging losses at around $54 million. Notably, Samsung wouldn't say whether or not the hiccup will affect supplies of memory chips to Apple (one of its top customers), but analysts are already purporting that we could see "a severe shortage of NAND chips" and increased prices in the coming weeks.[Thanks, Patrick M.]Read - Samsung Electronics chip output hit by power cutRead - Samsung operations should be restored within a day
Nintendo planning to milk its Wii shortage through the holidays
You know, we could understand a few months of Wii shortages, and perhaps we'd let Nintendo slip by the seven month mark with a mild slap on the wrist, but this recent announcement of shortages through the 2007 holidays is just plain annoying. "There is no guarantee that we are not going to have 'out-of-stocks' this holiday season," says George Harrison, senior V.P of marketing for Nintendo of America. "If you see one, buy it. Don't assume that you can come back later and find one." It's not like Nintendo doesn't have the time, cash or know-how to ramp up production. Sure, we don't know all the ins and outs of supply chain management, but it sounds more like Nintendo is enjoying its "can't keep 'em on the shelves" status a bit too much to seriously make an attempt at meeting demand.
Wii Warm Up: Is the end in sight?
The end of Wii shortages, that is. While we have no hard evidence to that effect, the anecdotal evidence is piling up -- we've heard from several people lately that their searches have finally come to an end. At last, they have joined the fold of Wii owners. New Wii owners, we welcome you. But is this the case everywhere? We'd love to hear from people who are still searching, or those who know others who are ... or, if you've recently hit the Wii lottery, we definitely want to hear about it.
Apple readying three million iPhones for launch?
We won't bother trying to number crunch how much coin Apple will be laying down if sources at Business Week are right about just how many iPhones will be available to thrill come June 29th, but Cupertino better hope this thing takes off a tad quicker than the iPod did in 2001. Two separate sources have apparently noted that Apple will have a whopping three million iPhone units ready at launch, which should (if true) quell looming any shortage fears right off the bat. Interestingly, several analysts have predicted that the firm will only move about that many units this entire year, but we're sure Apple won't be complaining if any more iPhones are necessary to quench 2007's demand. Here's to hoping this Rev. A iPhone was thoroughly scrubbed for bugs beforehand, or else Steve & Co. could be dealing with quite a hefty basket of recalled Apples.[Via AppleInsider]
Analysts say shortages could last all year
Will you inconsiderate jerks stop buying Wiis already? You're totally making it hard to find them in stores. Think of the children!Okay, we would never really say that. We love you all. We were just trying a new strategy to help alleviate the continuing Wii shortages. We may need some kind of tactic, because analysts at Lazard Capital Markets are predicting that the demand will continue to exceed supply through the holiday season.How do they think the situation will be resolved? Increased production? No, they think people will eventually lose interest in the Wii because of its weaker processing power. Don't hurt yourselves slamming on the "comment" button![Via Game|Life]
