I know, I know, this is all speculation, but newsworthy nonetheless. Rumor, a big rumor, has it that MS plans another price drop to happen right when GTA4 comes out hopefully sometime in March. Reports say that an unnamed source from the company revealed that a price drop is imminent to lure the hardcore Sony fans who have not gone next gen yet over to MS. Expect an update from this very soon as a statement from MS on this is imminent.
[Via Bitbag]
After much speculation and every financial analyst giving their expert advice, the 360 will take a price drop. Gamerscoreblog was privy to the official press released from Microsoft.
Xbox 360 will enhance the value of its entire family of consoles beginning on Aug. 8. At a new ERP of $349.99 (U.S.), Xbox 360 offers an unsurpassed experience right out of the box with a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, Xbox 360 headset, and more. For those looking for the ultimate value and the freedom to customize their console as they see fit, Xbox 360 Core System now has an ERP of $279.99 (U.S.). Xbox 360 Core System provides everything needed to start gaming while giving consumers the ability to add new features and accessories they want. Dressed in black and equipped with a 120GB hard drive, Xbox 360 Elite will be priced at an ERP of $449.99 (U.S.) for those who want the premium games and entertainment experience. In anticipation of this year’s largest (U.S.). Featuring an authentic Spartan green-and-gold finish, this console will include a matching Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 20GB hard drive, Xbox 360 Headset, an Xbox 360 Play and Charge Kit, and more.
Basically, the Premium will drop 50 bucks, the Elite 30 and the Core version 20, which I am still surprised they are even making those things. They are calling this the greatest holiday lineup ever. Only time will tell to see if the price drop boosts sales the way it did for the PS3 several months ago.
There has been waves lately in the huge increase in sales on Amazon.com in response to the PS3 $100 price cut. It has become the #1 seller and the sales have increased several thousand fold. According to gameindustrybiz.com, a market analyst has predicted a Microsoft response to maintain their pricing advantage. He expects the Elite to be reduced $80 and the Premium and Core models by $50. He also does not expect anything from the Wii because, well, they are still sold out and the demand is already high as it is. Again, this is all speculation, but it seems that it is almost inevitable. It also seems that an editorial written a few days ago had the gift of foresight.
For most people, its is either Xbox360 or PS3, not both. Price is obviously the number one factor when it comes to deciding purchasing almost anything and video games are no different. PS3 seems to be losing the battle in both the content and price tag wars and Sony is out to remedy this anyway they can. Gamedaily reports that a recent interview with Sony Chairman Sir Howard Stringer suggests that a price drop is imminent if not definite. An excerpt from a Financial Times interview states that:
“Nintendo Wii has been a successful enterprise, and a very good business model, compared with ours . . . because it’s cheaper,” he acknowledged in the video interview. “That [price cuts] is what we are studying at the moment. That’s what we are trying to refine.”
Most analysts seem to think that Sony will “refine” the PS3 price by $100 before the end of this calendar year. Some believe the price cut could come as early as this summer, while others have speculated that it would precede the release of the highly anticipated GTA IV this October. When asked if Sony would come up with an answer by Christmas, Stringer responded, “Yes, of course.”
Although this offers no relief at the moment, you can expect the pricing wars to heat up this fall when a lot of the killer aps are expected to hit the shelves.
