Insider source says Xbox 360 price cut this month, close to Wii

[Zeus]

According to UK trade publication MCV, they have it on good authority that MS is planning an Xbox 360 price cut at the end of the month which will allow its lower specification Arcade SKU to compete with the Nintendo Wii on price alone.


MCV has it on very good authority that Microsoft is planning an Xbox 360 price cut at the end of the month, which will allow its lower-spec Arcade model to compete with Nintendo’s Wii on price.

In what is being seen as a significant move to attract the family market, that would mean a dip from Arcade’s current price of £199.99 to something closer to £179.99.

It is unknown if Microsoft’s other Xbox 360 SKUs, the Premium pack and the Xbox 360 Elite, would enjoy similar price drops. However, the platform holder introduced a price cut on all three models in August last year.

One trade source told MCV: “A few publishers have confirmed the news to us, and we’re aware of some price movement is coming. The major chain retailers have all been told.”

Other high level trade sources have also heavily suggested the move is coming, speaking off the record exclusively to MCV.

Microsoft declined to comment on the cut, telling MCV: “We don’t comment on rumour and speculation.”


News Source: <A href="http://www.mcvuk.com/news/29820/Xbox-360-price-cut-coming-this-month" target="_blank">MCVUK</a>

[Evolution]

Why?

Its freely available for £150 online if you know where to look.

[kcvfr400]

Why?

Its freely available for £150 online if you know where to look.

Exactly and often with 5 games for £200 so a bigger price cut is needed to make it permanently below the wii.

Also without expansion of genres and age range games releases they are running out of people to sell them too.

[EliteStance]

Seems to me that those who would consider a Wii aren't really seeing the Arcade as a true alternative. If I was MS I'd forget this strategy and focus on core gamers and HD gaming more. They simply don't have the titles nor the strategy to compete with the Wii at this point IMHO.

While they focus on this Wii is going to merrily overtake 360 in US to put in number 1 in all territories.

[Kr155]

Seems to me that those who would consider a Wii aren't really seeing the Arcade as a true alternative. If I was MS I'd forget this strategy and focus on core gamers and HD gaming more. They simply don't have the titles nor the strategy to compete with the Wii at this point IMHO.

While they focus on this Wii is going to merrily overtake 360 in US to put in number 1 in all territories.

The arcade is geared towards casual gamers. most 360 casual games are on live arcade and need to be downloaded, but the 360 arcade has no hard drive... I see a flaw in this strategy. Now a cut on premium/elite will help againt ps3, but I really don't think they have any idea what they are doing against the Wii. the 360 arcade/core was a mistake to begin with.

[Evolution]

The arcade is geared towards casual gamers. most 360 casual games are on live arcade and need to be downloaded, but the 360 arcade has no hard drive... I see a flaw in this strategy. Now a cut on premium/elite will help againt ps3, but I really don't think they have any idea what they are doing against the Wii. the 360 arcade/core was a mistake to begin with.

I agree

Scrap the Core and make the Elite £200 and the Premium £150 and watch them fly off the shelves.

[*StoneCold*]

I agree

Scrap the Core and make the Elite £200 and the Premium £150 and watch them fly off the shelves.

Still wont beat the Wii

[MadonnaProject]

dont they dare make the elite 200. i just got one at xmas, and its too soon for the prices to come down. as for the premium, ive had it a while now. so they can do whatever with its price.

[LeGioN1202]

How low would this drop?

I just bought myself a Pro model the other day for $349.99 and would hate if it dropped $50 or more... I knew I should have waited.

Oh well... RPG's can't wait forever and Sony is really making me wait.

[bhetrick]

There were reports of a potential price drop awhile back. They stated it would be in conjunction with the release of GTA4.

[johnnewhouse]

i was expecting a drop in the price around GTA4 release, but they may have to bring that forward to stop the ps3 pulling away in weekly sales.
the annoying thing is that they dont need to drop the price in the USA as its still selling well, but they can hardly drop the price in other countries and not the USA as well.

[Xenogears V]

Good move, now can sell more.

[SpoonerPSP]

Did they already fixed RRoD? I've seen a few "falcons" with it. If it drops to $299 or less, I may get one(and if they fixed the problem).