Xbox 360 Supply Chain Case Study

Product positioning is the most difficult aspect of Microsoft’s marketing strategy for the Xbox. Consumers know that Microsoft is a great company and most computer owners have positive brand images of Microsoft. This really helps Microsoft get a jumpstart on their new product. But, the hard task comes when Microsoft

In order for Microsoft to become the leader in the console industry, it is critical to know the kind of consumers that are going to be targeted. According to the Fundamental Marketing article by Isaiah King, the target market for Microsoft Xbox users focuses on three main components: demographic, psychographic, and behavioral (Fundamental Marketing 1). The demographic of Xbox users range from age, generation, and gender. The hardcore gamers age group range from 16 to 30 years old. However, generation plays a huge role in the demographics of the console. Students of 18 years and younger are aimed highly more than older people, as they are leaders of the digital innovation. This variable of the demographic is important, as this age group will be the future industry in new products.

To regain some of its market share in its “growth driven” and “stable profit generators” sectors, Sony can reposition its competition in the minds of consumers. For instance, Sony can use comparative advertising to demonstrate that its brands are superior to its competitors. In this situation, Sony can attempt to alter the portrayed image of its competitor, Nintendo, and position its PlayStation game console as the better-quality product (Positioning(marketing), n.d).

Through the years of all the generations consoles Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation both prove to be, arguably, number one. The flames of the console war since the release of the latest generation of consoles back in 2013 have been set ablaze by fans and gamers alike. Microsoft had a weak start with the Xbox One and with nonstop updates and quick releases they crushed their competition. What exactly makes Xbox better?

When implementing project 1, you face technical and market risk. How would you assess the risks embedded in Project 1?

Microsoft started developing their console after the DirectX, which was a programming unit that was mostly used for creating videos and various types of graphics for computers. Microsoft modified their DirectX and made it into the Xbox. Since Microsoft built the Xbox from a computer it was extremely powerful compared to Sony’s Play Station 2, Nintendo’s Gamecube, and Sega 's Dreamcast ( ). Microsoft was concerned if they would get support from third party developers because it was the first video game console they produced.

As sales of Nintendo’s Wii and DS dominate the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and PlayStation Portable, respectively, the pressure continues to mount on Sony and Microsoft to move to the next level in the ongoing console wars. Sales of the Wii in 2008

The XBOX is now a 6th generation video game console that is manufactured by Microsoft. The machine itself was released in November of 2001, just in time for the 2001 Holiday Season in the United States, then subsequently worldwide. The decision to manufacture and release the system was Microsoft's first plunge into the gaming console market and designed to compete with the Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo's GameCUbe, and Sega's Dreamcast. By November of 2002, Microsoft launched the Xbox Live service that allowed players to play interactive games online (Gamer's Catch, 2006). Looking at the evolution of the system, however, we now know that the Xbox began to be discontinued in late 2005 (in Japan) and then in early 2007 in North America. The last game was released in August 2007, and even support for out-of-warranty consoles was discontinued in 2009, with all new faulty consoles replaced with Xbox 360. Xbox Live support was discontinued in April 2010 (Whitten, 2010).

Section 1: A Synopsis and interpretation of the Supply chain changes made between Xbox and Xbox 360 by Anand Kangala

The Xbox One has many strengths that can be used in order for it to become a profitable product.

Microsoft is trying to establish the Xbox One as the video game console leader in the Video Game Industry. The Xbox One is a third generation video game console for Microsoft. The video game industry continues to have steady growth. However,

Microsoft introduced the new console (Xbox 360) one year before Sony, the industry leader, unleashed the PS3. Microsoft with the first mover advantage built a large customer base and has the largest library of games. The PS3 console has the best raw power and blue-ray capabilities. Nintendo, although with the less advanced console (Nintendo Wii), has successfully distinguished itself from their competitors with an innovative controller whith motion-sensor capabilities.

EPOC will gain more profit if it is console-enabled only, when compared with PC-enabled only. The retail sales console game is almost five times more than PC game as we can see from Exhibit 8 in this case. The retail sales of console software game is 6.6 billions of dollars, but PC is only 0.9 billions of dollars in 2007. Moreover, from this exhibit, we can see that the number of PC software game retail sale is decreasing year by year, from 1 billions of dollars to 0.7 billions of dollars in 4 years. Most of consumer purchases a

Richard Dana Associates (RDA) was brought in by the owners of a family-owned business with complex relationship issues at a time preceding an anticipated leadership transition. Following individual and group coaching sessions, RDA was able to help the leadership separate personal issues, and codify practices through formal policies to allow the leadership group to focus on business issues without personal complications. At the end of RDA's engagement, the client was well-positioned to begin developing a transition plan.

With all of the different games and accessories available for the Xbox and the continuing advancement with the Xbox the market has seen steady