How will MS sell the Full XB360 kit?

[Shifty Geezer]

I'm wondering how MS are going to convince people to pay the full monty. Sure it's much better VFM than buying the Core kit and extras, but how will they communicate this? In a shop punters will see XB360 and XB360 Core side by side playing the same games. What's going to make them want to spend the extra?

One aspect is Live! but given the lack of popularity of online gaming to date I don't imagine most pundits will pay $100 more to play online. The HDD doesn't seem to have a clear purpose any more either. It won't (presumably) improve the gaming experience, at least not noticeably in the shops, and it's not really cut out for video. The HD cables are okay for the 15% with HDTVs but that's still the minority.

If you don't have an HDTV, and don't care for online gaming, as is the bulk of existing console owners, why would you buy the more expensive kit?

 

[pc999]

You dont buy, but even those how dont want Live gaming they would love new leves for they games now they cant, the same with demos, movies mni games (tetris etc..), so thre is a very very ... very very ...very little change to convince a people.

 

[inefficient]

Maybe try to sell them on backwards compatibity with Xbox1 games.

And then explain that because there is a detachable HD, they will not have to purchase $40 64MB memory sticks.

Then put the wireless controler in their hands.

 

[scooby_dooby]

component cables look MUCH better than standard cables even for users without HD.

Any TV that accepts components will have way better colour quality, and that includes pretty much every big screen made in the last decade or so, HD or not.

also: wireless controlles, the fact they will have to buy a $40 memory card regardless, headset, remote control, BC

i lean more to the side of how will MS sell their core system? I guess it fits much better for mom and pops buying a xmas present. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the main reason for this, some marketing guy decided they needed to cash in on mom and pops this xmas, and that meant a $299 price point.

 

[PC-Engine]

For me the HDD alone is worth getting the premium version for the BC with Xbox games. All the other added peripherals and added functionality of the HDD are just a bonus. It just doesn't make any sense to buy a separate $100 HDD upgrade to the Core system then pay extra for wireless controllers etc. I really have no use for a wired controller.

 

[Tap In]

When they have the Core system in their hand and a memory card at $340, they look at the Full system and realize....

HDD, no memory cards needed, DVD remote (as limited as it is) head set for live, component cables (I use them on my STD TVs)

Okay I'll get this one... $399.


I am one who thinks that this is an over-reaction by many people based on expectations. We all talked ourselves into believing the system was going to be $299. It's not it's $399. The $299 system is MS just trying to offer more options for the people who will/can not justify paying $400 but can scrape together $300.

I'm guessing it will be harder to sell the $299 system and that a HUGE percentage of units will have a HDD and sell at $399.

I would not put it past SONY to go the same route with their HDD.

 

[Rur0ni]

I don't intend on buying a console for another 2-3 years anyway. I got PC parts to buy. By that time there will be a clear choice.

 

[standing ovation]

(Q) How will Microsoft sell Xbox 360 with a pre-packaged hard drive?

(A) Simple. They will not offer any alternatives.

Judging from the interview in this month's Game Informer Magazine (Sept. 2005), Microsoft will probably manufacture one version of 360 right now. But as technology evolves, they will gradually expand the product line, adding newer components while discarding older ones. (It sounds as though XBox will not be a fixed architecture this time around.)

Game Informer: Will the Xbox 360 be sold in different models, one with a hard drive and one without? What about different sized hard drives?

J. Allard: I think we'll enter the market in a very conventional fashion, and from there it's all about listening to gamers. That's what we do. Until we have the first couple of million customers, it's hard to say how we might further the audience.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Ummm...no They're launching with two different units, official, despite prior interviews suggesting otherwise. At luanch there will be a no-HDD console and an HDD console.

 

[slider]

All a bit of a muddle really. On the one hand the sort that frequent boards like B3D (thats right, I mean you lot) can see the premium package is the better package VFM. But where do MS and Sony make their cash? Probably from kids and Joe Public. Mr Public will see the core package sticker price & go for that. Its not necessarily a bad move by MS (although it does grate), especially when the PS3 is sitting on the shelf next to it for $400++.

Face it, the hardcore have been treated like a very small minority at election time: largely forgotten.

 

[rabidrabbit]

Make the "Premium" versions cardboard packaging prettier than the "Core" versions.

Now they are the other way round, "Core" is pretty and standout lookatmeiamapplecoolhipgreen, "Premium" is ugly drab swirlywurlymessywhite box.

 

[standing ovation]

Ummm...no They're launching with two different units, official, despite prior interviews suggesting otherwise. At luanch there will be a no-HDD console and an HDD console.

Even if they started right now, the logistics of launching a product line to most of the world would be staggering.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I don't understand you. Have you not read the noisy news? It's not a case of MS launching an HDD model now and an HDD free version later on, but both versions launching alongside each other when XB360 hits the shops. Talk from execs about future versions maybe not having an HDD has been...well, misplaced. Perhaps they didn't know, or were keeping people in the dark, or it was a sudden decision contrary to they previous ideas that they'd already talked about. But there it is. An HDD version and a non-HDD version.

 

[standing ovation]

I don't understand you. Have you not read the noisy news?

Not until about a minute ago ... sorry.

 

[Powderkeg]

I'm wondering how MS are going to convince people to pay the full monty.

Component Cables (Component/S/VGA cables required for DD5.1 support) = $40
Media Remote = $30
XBL Headset = $20
HDD = $100
Wireless Controller = $40
Xbox 360 core SKU = $300

Total = $530

Bundle which includes all of the above = $400

Even if you drop the HDD and wireless controller, you are still looking at $390 vs. the $400 bundle with those items included.

Most people aren't too terribly bright, but most can do some basic math. When they stand there in the store and start looking at the peripherals they want for their core SKU, they'll quickly realize the value of the bundle.

 

[a688]

Wireless Controller = $40

Wireless controller is 50

 

[BlueTsunami]

Wireless controller is 50

With regular batteries and without the docking station...I believe

 

[Powderkeg]

Wireless controller is 50

Ooops, sorry bout that.

Total = $540 instead of $530.

And I forgot that with the core SKU, you'll need a memory card for game saves, so add in another $40.


I don't think MS will have a problem selling the bundle, it's the core system they'll have trouble getting rid of. You figure even for non-Live users who really don't need the HDD, wireless controller, etc... the A/V cables with DD5.1 support and memory card alone are going to bring the cost to $380, why not spend the extra $20 to get everything else at that point?

 

[hongcho]

Although there are already some speculation that the Core System will be only 15% of the whole production, I think it should be even less. Even better, not make any Core Systems for the first three months or so.

Hong.

 

[jvd]

Wireless controller is 10$ since you are exchanging that 40$ wired controller for it .

You can only add a 50$ controller fee if it was to come with both the standard wired controller and the added wireless controller .