Xbox 360 price drops by $50

[RancidLunchmeat]

If the falcon was close I would of assume the price cut would of been at least 50 maybe more across all SKUs.

I still don't think MS considers its position as 'doom and gloom' as the majority of netheads seem to think. If you look at their marketing blitz for Madden and the marketing blitz that is coming for Halo 3, and their current position atop the console sales charts, they believe they have enough momentum as it is with a $50 price cut.

Missing GTA this holiday was huge for them, but don't underestimate what Madden does in terms of sales in NA. Especially when every NFL/ESPN licensed event that coincides with Madden is partially funded by Microsoft.

So every Madden mention shows a 360 logo, NFL players are shown playing Madden on 360s, holding 360 controllers, etc.. etc..

Sure, its available on the PS3 too. But every Madden commercial has a 360 logo at the end of it.

And from reading the web, the campaign for Halo3 is going to be unprecedented.

Don't underestimate the tremendous amount of marketing that MS is using along with the $50 price cut to move consoles.

It's not just about price. It's also about desire.

 

[quest55720]

I still don't think MS considers its position as 'doom and gloom' as the majority of netheads seem to think. If you look at their marketing blitz for Madden and the marketing blitz that is coming for Halo 3, and their current position atop the console sales charts, they believe they have enough momentum as it is with a $50 price cut.

Missing GTA this holiday was huge for them, but don't underestimate what Madden does in terms of sales in NA. Especially when every NFL/ESPN licensed event that coincides with Madden is partially funded by Microsoft.

So every Madden mention shows a 360 logo, NFL players are shown playing Madden on 360s, holding 360 controllers, etc.. etc..

Sure, its available on the PS3 too. But every Madden commercial has a 360 logo at the end of it.

And from reading the web, the campaign for Halo3 is going to be unprecedented.

Don't underestimate the tremendous amount of marketing that MS is using along with the $50 price cut to move consoles.

It's not just about price. It's also about desire.

Not so much gloom and doom as MS having 1 last chance to really bury Sony in NA. MS has all the cards this holiday season and people just want them to take full advantage. The games are going to be there live is awesome people expected a bigger price cut to top it off. I still think 349 is just out of the reach for most people. Come next year Sony will not be such an easy target. The way I see it MS had a chance to step on Sony's throat with a full price cut. I really think 299 would play so much better to the public than 349. If a parent can't find a Wii this fall and there will be many who can't in NA that 50 dollars could be a major difference. Can't find a Wii well the 360 is only 50 dollars and they pick it up. A 100 dollars more and people will start to think twice.

 

[22psi]

MS doom and gloom? Pretty rediculous if you ask me.

 

[Tap In]

doom and Gloom?!

yea... they never only sold 88,000 in one month in NA AND they sell more software than any console ever...

I'm sure they're sleeping pretty well at night.

 

[pipo]

considering we havent seen any Core getting replaced with HDMI i'd say its getting axed like speculated.

Not very likely. On top of all the other execs going on record it's important for a lot of reasons:

GS AU: How long will you continue to sell the Core unit?

DM: There are no plans to discontinue the Core SKU. We've actually seen over the last few months that the Core has started to grow in terms of sales. If you look at some of the recent sales with mass merchants, the Core is doing really well for us. We're pretty pleased with the momentum that's been building on the Core, and it's still important for us to provide that level of choice to the customer. We have no intention of discontinuing the Core at this point. Furthermore, this price adjustment and some of the things we're planning to do with the product over the holidays will make it a more significant part of the business.

 

[SugarCoat]

Not very likely. On top of all the other execs going on record it's important for a lot of reasons:

You know what thats worth to me? Nothing. Wasnt too long ago there "werent any plans to introduce HDMI to the Xbox 360". Until we see Core units using the zephyr board thats a pretty strong indication the units production has been discontinued. Any units still shipping or selling are part of remaining stock. As someone mentioned, we may see it return in another form, but im currently agreeing with those who believe that the Core in its current form is dead.

 

[pipo]

...too long ago there "werent any plans to introduce HDMI to the Xbox 360"...

Except they never said that. It has always been something like 'we will do HDMI when it makes sense'.

I'd agree it could have been sooner though.

 

[Johnny Awesome]

IMO a $50 price drop, Halo 3 marketing campaign, and two quality free games bundled in IS a step on Sony's throat. I mean if it wasn't for Sony's brand name they'd already be in huge trouble. People don't want to pay $500 for a system that doesn't even have that many games. $349 w/2 games is amazing for a system that will play Madden and Halo 3.

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

And the latest Madden commercials (which are really some of the best, I've ever seen actually..) Not only show everybody using wireless 360 controllers and have the 360 splash at the end, AFTER that, they show the system and make mention of its new price of $279.

Now whether you can find a Core system is a different issue, but they are using the price point of the Core system along with the Madden launch to market the system.

I think this speaks both to the importance of the Core (which has been questioned) and the price points they are trying to hit this holiday season.

I expect to see an even bigger campaign for Halo3 that will hit markets other than ESPN and NFL Network and sports channels.

 

[infinity4]

UK pricecut maybe?

http://disposablemedia.blogspot.com/

trusted MS insider ???

Core - 17999p
Premium - 24999p
Elites - 29999p

now we need to know if they are inserting hdmi output into premiums :smile:

 

[pipo]

Confirmed: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=27804

Microsoft has dropped the price of the Xbox 360 in Europe, with the Premium console now retailing for GBP 249.99 / EUR 349 and the Core unit for GBP 179.99 / EUR 279.

The price cut comes into effect this Friday, along with the launch of the Xbox 360 Elite, which will retail for GBP 299.99 / EUR 449.99.

 

[tuna]

Here in Sweden the chain Elgiganten sells the Premium for 2900 SEK (around €290)...