Posted Jul 30, 2007 at 01:02PM by Ryan A. Listed in: Xbox 360 Tags: Microsoft, price drop, Ring of Death, Hitwise, Bill Tancer
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Hitwise: Xbox 360 most searched console in U.S. - Image 1 Hitwise: Xbox 360 most searched console in U.S. - Image 2


Research company Hitwise released the results of its latest web monitoring the other day and for the first time since November 2006, Microsoft's Xbox 360 has overtaken the Nintendo Wii as the most searched video game console in share of U.S. internet searches.

Hitwise General Manager for Global Research Bill Tancer noted that there are a lot of factors that have to be considered in analyzing the data. Despite this, he added that the searches are legit and not some annoyed consumers looking for the "red ring of death" and "warranty extensions".

Aside from the 360 itself, Hitwise monitored that consumers are looking for video game titles such as Madden NFL 2008 and The Darkness as well. Quite interestingly, the keywords "Xbox 360 price drop" ranked sixth overall. Tancer had this to say:

In the past four weeks, the top search term with the words "price drop" was "xbox 360 price drop". There were 70% more U.S. searches for "xbox 360 price drop" than for "ps3 price drop". So what is driving the increase in searches for Xbox 360? It appears to be a combination of hype for new games, rumors of a price drop, and no doubt some queries about the recent problems.


Speaking of problems, searches for "xbox 360 problems" and "xbox 360 repair" ended up at number 13 and 15 on the list respectively. To see more of Hitwise's analysis, click on our Read link below.


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12 Comments


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   by Davethe1mendez (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » Perhaps it's the RROD issue being searched!?

I know they got hits from me researching the Xbox 360 bans and the RROD issue. It's unbelievable they are trying to capitalize on getting alot of hits especially when the media (broadcast news and print) has finally caught up to the RROD issue and poor quality build affecting more than 30 percent of all consoles sold which resulted in an extension to 3 years for the warranty causing a 1 billion dollar + loss and the exit of Peter Moore as Vice President.

ROFLMAO!!!!!


   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-07-30
 » Read the list, moron

People are searching games, cheats, and price drop because of the recent PS3 "price drop" (if it can be called that) because people are interested in getting one!

Stop trying to put a negative spin on things! XBOX 360 repair and problems were 13th and 15th on the list, and probably from PS3 idiots such as yourself.

Please tell me again why PS3 owners are more worried about 360 problems than 360 owners?

   Re: Heath (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » idiot fanboy

I knew some stupid sony fanboy would come say this. Wow you are lame.

   Re: catron (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » wow... cant beleive it but

wow... cant believe it but i actually think MCS holds more ground here than Dave. both of you are outright fanboys tho.
   by try tr (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » Top poster didnt even read the post

So MS give their console a 3 year guarantee and PS3 owners still try and put spin on it, you are just kidding yourself, I would rather buy a console that is guaranteed to last 3 years or they will replace it for free than a 1 year guaranteed console that is going to cost you a fortune if it goes wrong.

MS know they have made a good investment and with the Elite out in Europe next month it a great move...


   Re: GW2 (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » yes

a guarantee that it will break within three years. mine has broken 4 times. none of my other consoles have ever broken. im getting a ps3 at the end of the week so i hope i have no problems wiht it. i still love my xbox. but its just broken so many times.

   Re: Stealth! - 2007-07-31
 » no

They didn't make a good investment. When MS makes 4 billion dollars on there system this gen maybe i will agree. But until then no sorry.
   by davethe1mendez (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » 360 POS

I found this searching MSN.com (go figure) for red ring of death.

Posted on DailyTech website today July 30th 2007

Link: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=8226
Headline:
Steve Ballmer Describes New Xbox 360 Warranty as "Painful"
Story:
Following reports showing that up to one-third of all Xbox 360 consoles are afflicted with the fatal hardware error termed the “Red Ring of Death,” Microsoft extended its warranty on the machine to cover such a defect for three years.

Although the gaming press has heard many comments from Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division regarding its new policies, little has come out from the giant software company’s top brass.

Speaking to financial analysts last week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke out on the topic on stage, saying, “We have to learn from our mistakes. It was painful to announce the write-off that we had to announce, and yet we knew we had to take care of our customers.”

The write-off that Ballmer is referring to is the over $1 billion charge that Microsoft’s entertainment division is taking to not only repair for free all afflicted consoles, but also to issue refunds to gamers who have paid up to $140 for a fix.

The extended coverage of defective Xbox 360 consoles caused Microsoft’s gaming division to lose $1.89 billion for the quarter – about 47 percent more than the previous period’s $1.28 billion loss from last year.

Although the Xbox 360 “Red Ring of Death” debacle may have shaken consumer confidence in the company’s ability to design and manufacture hardware, Ballmer promised that, going forward, Microsoft will be “world-class when we do hardware.”


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   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-07-31
 » ?

What's the point of that? Do you think you're informative or something?
   by thats awesome (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » lol

I didn't know they refunded other people to, thats *****ing awesome.

How can you possibly complain? Mine has never broken and thats launch, so I mean if it does I don't even have to pay for it? How can a PS3 fanboy at that be talking about these problems anyway? The PS2 suffered disc read errors for nearly 5 years.

   by JH007 (Unregistered) - 2007-07-30
 » N64 was My favorite console

I have had many game systems plus sonys but the 360 has it beat hands down I was worried about buying it at launch but trust me it's worth it. if you don't beleive me buy both. I could give a sh)@ about fanboyism I'm just posting because it's a shame sony's fanboys are really missing out I did the same with the super nintendo sega area I'll be damn if I do it again.


   Re: hjkhj (Unregistered) - 2007-07-31
 » Banjo and Kazooie this december for 360 only

Well you will be happy to know that Banjo and Kazooie is set for a December release on the 360 then :)


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