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Three reasons why Microsoft didn't sell Xbox 360s to the Army |
Listed in: Xbox 360 Tags: Microsoft, xbox 360 titles
Recognizing the advantages of gaming consoles in training the new recruits, the US Army thought it would be a good idea to purchase a bunch of Xbox 360s for that very purpose. Just when you thought that Microsoft would jump for joy at the prospect of selling multiple consoles in one go, they actually turned the purchase down.
Roger Smith, chief technology officer for PEO STRI, the ones in charge of purchasing training equipment, says Microsoft execs refused to sell him the Xbox 360s for three reasons, as reported by Wired.com:
- Microsoft was afraid that the military would buy up lots of Xbox 360s, but would buy only one game for each of them, so MS wouldn’t make much money off of the games
- A big military purchase could create a shortage of Xbox 360s.
- If the Xbox became an Army training device, it could taint its reputation. Microsoft was concerned that “do we want the Xbox 360 to be seen as having the flavor of a weapon? Do we want Mom and Dad knowing that their kid is buying the same game console as the military trains the SEALs and Rangers on?
So now, Smith says that the interest in training using Xbox 360s has toned down quite a bit. "Our initial enthusiasm when Xbox and XNA were new products has cooled. At this time we have no active or anticipated projects or R&D that are looking at using either of those products for military simulations. I would be happy to reopen these discussions if Microsoft is interested in selling these products to our community"
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..Afraid of a tarnished reputation? My friend who's a soldier was paid to attend the midnight release of Modern Warfare 2 in uniform.
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Based on my contract work with the Army, I'd guess that they just wanted a cheap, easily deployable platform for developing their own programs (notice the interest in XNA?). Also, they like the controllers. Though MS makes a small profit per box now, I doubt they'd keep that at wholesale prices.
And I wholeheartedly agree with the whole tarnished image thing. Seriously, who buys the console for the average kid? Mommy. Mommies in general don't like guns much, even if it's statistically true that it's more likely for a swimming pool to kill a kid than a gun.
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Now Sony is gonna come out with something and then the army is just gonna get that and then you guys are gonna be like "Oo no why dident we sell our 360s to armyy" and crying lol
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Did you kill a "terrorist"?
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All I saw was, "redneck, blah, blah, blah, patriotism, blah, blah, terrorists, blah, fuck Microsoft."
So what if Microsoft won't sell their consoles to the military, that's their prerogative not yours.
Also the military could do lots better than a 360, heck you can get substandard computer with more power for almost the same price as the 360. They're prefab CostCo computers, but still powerful enough for what they want to do.
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And the chances that they buy games later on is VERY small.
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the closest Military SIM i have played on consoles was Operation Flashpoint 2: dragon rising, in that the formations and moving.
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2. Military will say PS3 lasted longer than xbox 360 lol, and ruin MS reputation
3. About the army training device taint it reputation, why allow games like modern warfare 2 and GoW2 or GTA4, kids dont even read the new they only play the GAMES lol
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i had to log in to say exactly that.
but you beat me to it.
i think the failing of all teh box's would piss off the US and then microshit would be all fubar
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After all, xbox 360 controllers are used for UAVs.
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OK, you got me, the real reason is they'd be ashamed to sell what goes to the retail channels to the folks who protect their hides.
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Its purely economic... THAT will leave a good impression Microsoft!
By the way... war sucks!
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They want to stay middle of the road on this console they have a hard enough time with being called HaloBox. That's without further encouraging that FPS shooter simulation image further by having the military use it for training.
It certainly wouldn't do much for me to know that the US millitary uses the xbox360 for training. I'd care even less about playing an ultra realistic shooter on it.
Couple of people piped in that the US are using PS3 instead for simulation now, is that true or just wishful thinking by some PS3 fanboys?
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And for sure, there is a lot of negative views on the US army.
Microsoft is an international company, and one that is very much focused on making a profit at it. It is in their best interest to have as good of a reputation as possible, as well as earning as much as they can per sale.
I am not a big fan of Microsoft, but they know how to do business.
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cough law suit.
to risky microsoft really thought, i think.
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