UPDATE: 360 Price Cut Confirmed?

[John Funk]

UPDATE: 360 Price Cut Confirmed?

The long-rumored $100 price cut for the Xbox 360 Elite is real, and will reportedly go into effect by the end of the month.

This year's Great Summer Rumor was, of course, the existence of the PS3 Slim, which was predicted to accompany a $100 price cut in Sony's current-gen console - a rumor which was proven true [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93974-Sony-Reveals-PS3-Slim-Drops-PS3-Prices-to-299] last week. However, a close second place is the persistent word on the street that Microsoft will be phasing out the Xbox 360 Pro and slashing the price of the 360 Elite by $100 to match the competition.

Well, leaked photos of next week's Target Ad over at Engadget [http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/25/xbox-360-pro-and-elite-price-cuts-confirmed-in-target-ad-for-nex/] apparently confirm that said rumor is partly true, at least. The photos promote a new $299 price point for the 360 Elite, as well as a $50 cut for the 360 Pro, now retailing at $249. Given the timing of Target's weekly ads, Engadget points out that this likely means the price cut will go into effect on Sunday the 30th.

This isn't really surprising, of course. Microsoft's main point of contention against the PS3 was the price; letting the competition undercut them like that would be a crippling mistake. It wouldn't be hard to see this coming even if the rumor hadn't been around so long. The interesting part, though, is the $50 price cut for the 360 Pro, because it's the only part of this that wasn't in the predictions - as far as we could guess, the Pro would be eliminated entirely.

Of course, the two don't have to contradict each other, either. This could simply be a way of clearing out remaining Pro stock to make room for all of those shiny new Elites.

Update: An industry tipster who requested to remain anonymous confirmed to The Escapist that the $100 price cut for the Xbox 360 Elite will be taking effect by the end of August. The only difference is that the $299 bundle "will not include the HDMI cable as a pack-in."

(Edge [http://www.edge-online.com/news/target-ad-seemingly-confirms-xbox-360-price-cuts])

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[Curtmiester]

Well, price cuts are never bad.

 

[bodyklok]

It would seem that MS is cutting their prices to meet the PS3's, I think they've shot them selves in the foot with this one.

When Sony cut their prices it probably had more to do with getting the massive group of gamers who had already brought a 360, rather than the relatively small group who were still undecided, to buy a PS3. so MS's cut isn't going to do anything for those people (unless they upgrade to a elite) since they all ready own a 360.

In my opinion anyway, if they're doing this to stop people from buying a PS3 when they already own a 360 I fail to see what this is going to do. However, if this has more to do with the people who are undecided then I guess I can understand.

 

[Uncompetative]

The PS3 price cut now means that the equivalent 120 GB 360 is $50 more expensive (as you don't get free online gaming like the PS3 without buying a 12 months Xbox Live Gold Subscription). Perhaps, Microsoft will realize that it is dumb to push NetFlix and DLC on a console with no built-in online subscription.

 

[Spygon]

why does it seem that microsoft and sony are being are best friends at the moment whith price cuts while the game companies are trying to screw us where ever possible

 

[not a zaar]

why does it seem that microsoft and sony are being are best friends at the moment whith price cuts while the game companies are trying to screw us where ever possible

Don't forget that Sony and Microsoft make a percentage on every game sale, it's not as black and white as you make it out to be.

 

[DRADIS C0ntact]

Well look at the big M, trying to steal Sony's thunder. Shame shame.

 

[John Funk]

The PS3 price cut now means that the equivalent 120 GB 360 is $50 more expensive (as you don't get free online gaming like the PS3 without buying a 12 months Xbox Live Gold Subscription). Perhaps, Microsoft will realize that it is dumb to push NetFlix and DLC on a console with no built-in online subscription.

You don't need a Gold account for DLC.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

It would seem that MS is cutting their prices to meet the PS3's, I think they've shot them selves in the foot with this one.

When Sony cut their prices it probably had more to do with getting the massive group of gamers who had already brought a 360, rather than the relatively small group who were still undecided, to buy an PS3. so MS's cut isn't going to do anything for those people (unless they upgrade to a elite) since they all ready own a 360. Hence they've made a mistake.

In my opinion anyway, if they're doing this to stop people from buying a PS3 when they already own a 360 I fail to see what this is going to do. However, if this has more to do with the people who are undecided then I guess I can understand.

Yes that seems the most logical explanation to me, and it doesn't really make any sense.
This seems way too much like a response to Sony lowering the price for PS3 than them actually having a good reason to lower the 360 price.
I say instead of lowering the price I say they fix the technical issues like [user]Reuq[/user] suggested.

 

[Toty54]

Sounds good, But i already have too many games on my list of things to buy to afford a 360.

 

[Spygon]

why does it seem that microsoft and sony are being are best friends at the moment whith price cuts while the game companies are trying to screw us where ever possible

Don't forget that Sony and Microsoft make a percentage on every game sale, it's not as black and white as you make it out to be.

yes i know its never black and white but they both seem to be going in different directions.As the console developers get a percentage of games sold but with games bwing priced higher but consoles getting cheaper isn't it going to encourage people to buy the rival console.As it will be so like i can buy a new console for the same price of a few games and as a marketing tactic it seems abit backwards.

 

[Sir Ollie]

Hmmm going down in America and going up in the UK! gotta love Microsoft.

 

[Pendragon9]

Maybe they could fix the technical issues, like alot of others have suggested.

 

[sirdanrhodes]

THIS is why us UK gamers are getting a price hike...

 

[NeedAUserName]

THIS is why us UK gamers are getting a price hike...

We are? *cocks gun* Someones gonna pay for this.

 

[eelel]

The PS3 price cut now means that the equivalent 120 GB 360 is $50 more expensive (as you don't get free online gaming like the PS3 without buying a 12 months Xbox Live Gold Subscription). Perhaps, Microsoft will realize that it is dumb to push NetFlix and DLC on a console with no built-in online subscription.

You only need the subscription if you want to play online. If you just want to get DLC then all you need is a silver membership not a gold.

 

[bodyklok]

Update: An industry tipster who requested to remain anonymous confirmed to The Escapist that the $100 price cut for the Xbox 360 Elite will be taking effect by the end of August. The only difference is that the $299 bundle "will not include the HDMI cable as a pack-in."

Ohhhhh, you got an anonymous tip? DUDE! That's freaking awesome.

 

[Swaki]

holy crap! that machine is 200 dollars cheaper than in denmark, does target do international shipping?

on my way to google.

 

[John Funk]

Update: An industry tipster who requested to remain anonymous confirmed to The Escapist that the $100 price cut for the Xbox 360 Elite will be taking effect by the end of August. The only difference is that the $299 bundle "will not include the HDMI cable as a pack-in."

Ohhhhh, you got an anonymous tip? DUDE! That's freaking awesome.

No, we got a tip from someone who would prefer to remain anonymous. We know exactly who they are