Xbox 360 Prices

[kuyu]

M$ announced this morning that there will in fact be two Xbox 360 SKU's at launch.

The $299 SKU ships with the unit, 1 wired controller, and TV cables.

The $399 SKU ships with the unit, a 20GB HDD, 1 wireless controller, 1 headset, 1 wireless remote control, TV cables, and an ethernet cable. At this time the press conference is still ongoing, so no word yet on a launch date or confirmed launch titles.

Guess I'm pre-ordering today! The $399 model is more my flavor, but once I throw in an extra controller and headset and the wifi add-on, this thing is going to run upwards of $500! Luckily I have a cool younger brother who will go "halfsies" with me on it all.

[gwuMACaddict]

seems like the $399 model is a much better deal? when you factor in the cost of the controller and the wireless device...

[lopresmb]

when are they going to ship? Nov or Dec?

[kuyu]

UPDATE

There are now grumblings that the LA Times Story is merely speculation. Major Nelson has stated that the wireless controller is standard, and a HDD is required for backwards compatibility and for xboxLive.

I guess we'll know for sure once the smoke clears...

[kuyu]

Nevermind the update. The first post is correct. This thing is going to be expensive!!!

Console: $399.99
Extra controller: $49.99
Extra headset: $19.99
3 games: $59.99x3
Live: $49.99

Total with taxes: over $741 :eek: :eek: :eek: THAT'S A TON OF MONEY :eek: :eek: :eek:

[AlBDamned]

Just announced as £210 in the UK.

Edit; here's the release.

Microsoft's next generation console, the Xbox 360, will cost £209 to £279 when it goes on sale at Christmas.
The company announced the price of the two bundles at the German Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany.

The basic one will come with a wired controller, but will not have a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, headset and remote control included in the more expensive version.

Sony's PlayStation 3 is due out in the spring but no price has yet been set.

Nintendo's next generation console, the Revolution, is also expected to be released in 2006.

[EvilDoc]

M$ announced this morning that there will in fact be two Xbox 360 SKU's at launch.

The $299 SKU ships with the unit, 1 wired controller, and TV cables.

The $399 SKU ships with the unit, a 20GB HDD, 1 wireless controller, 1 headset, 1 wireless remote control, TV cables, and an ethernet cable. At this time the press conference is still ongoing, so no word yet on a launch date or confirmed launch titles.

Guess I'm pre-ordering today! The $399 model is more my flavor, but once I throw in an extra controller and headset and the wifi add-on, this thing is going to run upwards of $500! Luckily I have a cool younger brother who will go "halfsies" with me on it all.

where did you get this info from?

[kuyu]

http://www.majornelson.com

It's a blog by a guy who works at M$.

[applekid]

Nevermind the update. The first post is correct. This thing is going to be expensive!!!

Console: $399.99
Extra controller: $49.99
Extra headset: $19.99
3 games: $59.99x3
Live: $49.99

Total with taxes: over $741 :eek: :eek: :eek: THAT'S A TON OF MONEY :eek: :eek: :eek:

Jesus Christ! $59.99 a game?! $49.99 controllers (those better be the wireless ones!)?!

Look, I don't care if the console is $399 at the high-end, but the price of the controller is the cost of a brand new game today! And the game price is just so high, owning an X-Box 360 is going to be an expensive hobby! Well, I think Microsoft solved all of its financial problems with selling the X-Box... :D

I hope the PS3 and Revolution aren't as whacked. I guess I can see where Nintendo is coming from with making a cheap console and saying costs of producing games are at an all time high. And being an aspiring game developer, I think I really need to see Nintendo win this console battle to keep production prices down, now more than ever.

[kuyu]

Look, I don't care if the console is $399 at the high-end, but the price of the controller is the cost of a brand new game today! And the game price is just so high, owning an X-Box 360 is going to be an expensive hobby! Well, I think Microsoft solved all of its financial problems with selling the X-Box... :D

I'm with you, the console price is very fair. But not including the HDD in the the cheapo model is going to assure that most games don't use it. I'm very dissapointed in the price of the accessories, although pricing is subject to change.

Looks like I'll get the $400 console, Live, and 1 game at launch. That's about ~$550. Suddenly a $600 PS3 doesn't seem that expensive.

[Ringo]

just to add a linkey (http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/9018/Microsoft-Announces-Xbox-360-Price/)

PS: the $299 version will cost around 360$ canadien :rolleyes:
(well asumin the conversion widget is right)

edit: and the fact that they said nothing about backward compatability freak me out a little (well sorta)...

[raggedjimmi]

not to forget the blu-ray drive in the future and other things... tis mighty expensive.

but wow! controllers are cheap in the US. they're about £20-30 for an official one here, will be more for wireless ones. you US guys have nothing to complain about :P

[GFLPraxis]

M$ announced this morning that there will in fact be two Xbox 360 SKU's at launch.

The $299 SKU ships with the unit, 1 wired controller, and TV cables.

The $399 SKU ships with the unit, a 20GB HDD, 1 wireless controller, 1 headset, 1 wireless remote control, TV cables, and an ethernet cable. At this time the press conference is still ongoing, so no word yet on a launch date or confirmed launch titles.


xbox360.ign.com confirms.

So the base XBox 360 doesn't have a hard drive, eh?

I know, I know. I shouldn't do this. It's not very nice. But I debated it so much with people I feel I have to...


TOLD YOU SO!!!!!


Um...*walks away quickly*

[GFLPraxis]

Looks like I'll get the $400 console, Live, and 1 game at launch. That's about ~$550. Suddenly a $600 PS3 doesn't seem that expensive.

I don't see why the PS3 would be $600.

It's basicly the $299 XBox 360 (swapping tri-PPC's for a Cell and ATi card for NVidia), swapping RF for Bluetooth, and adding Blu-ray and WiFi.

IMHO I think the PS3 will launch at $399 for the 'core system'.

[raggedjimmi]

I really hope Nintendo dont release weaker budget versions and just stick to the good old fashioned 1 console with all equipment route. maybe some shops doing bundles themselves. just to keep things simple (thinks to the PSP's 'budget' pack... haha... budget...). £120 you get everything you need. maybe get an extra controller too.

[xli_ne]

Just read about the pricing on cnn this morning. I just loved this part of the article :

The less-expensive core system will feature only the Xbox 360 console with a controller, which has to be plugged into the system to play games. The $400 option will come with a 20 GB hard drive, a wireless controller, a headset (used for talking with other players online) that stylistically matches the Xbox 360 and, for a limited time, a remote control allowing users to more easily access the machine's multimedia functions.

controller to play games huh? really, i didn't know that

[AlBDamned]

Just read about the pricing on cnn this morning. I just loved this part of the article :



controller to play games huh? really, i didn't know that

'Wired controller' would indeed have sufficed.
:rolleyes:

[GFLPraxis]

I really hope Nintendo dont release weaker budget versions and just stick to the good old fashioned 1 console with all equipment route. maybe some shops doing bundles themselves. just to keep things simple (thinks to the PSP's 'budget' pack... haha... budget...). £120 you get everything you need. maybe get an extra controller too.

I doubt it. There are no 'extras' like a hard drive to add.



controller to play games huh? really, i didn't know that

I think they were emphasizing the 'plugged in' part. Remember that everyone thought that the XBox 360 was ALL wireless.

[xli_ne]

I think they were emphasizing the 'plugged in' part. Remember that everyone thought that the XBox 360 was ALL wireless.

well that could be what they were trying to say, but at least first glance it seemed kinda odd.

[saunders45]

xbox360.ign.com confirms.

So the base XBox 360 doesn't have a hard drive, eh?

I know, I know. I shouldn't do this. It's not very nice. But I debated it so much with people I feel I have to...


TOLD YOU SO!!!!!


Um...*walks away quickly*


what...... you want a medal or something???........... *flips him a penny*....

[Abulia]

Two SKUs? This is a bad, BAD move IMO. All it will do is create confusion in the retail channels and with the consumers. So developers don't count on you having a hard drive? That minimizes one of the great benefits of the Xbox over other consoles.

Not so much caring about the price.Xbox 360 Core System - $299 (299 Euros, 209 GBP)
•Xbox 360 console
•Wired controller
•Detachable faceplate
•Xbox Live Silver membership
•Standard AV cables


Xbox 360 - $399 (399 Euros, 279 GBP)
•Xbox 360 console
•20GB detachable hard drive
•Wireless controller
•Wireless Xbox Live headset
•High-definition AV cables
•Ethernet cable
•Xbox 360 Media Remote Control (limited time)
•Detachable faceplate
•Xbox Live Silver membership


• Faceplate ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Hard Drive (20 GB) ($99.99, 99.99 Euros, 69.99 GBP)
• Memory Unit (64 MB) ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 22.99 GBP)
• Wireless Networking Adapter ($99.99, 79.99 Euros, 59.99 GBP)
• Wireless Controller ($49.99, 44.99 Euros, 32.99 GBP)
• Play and Charge Kit ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Rechargeable Battery Pack ($11.99, 14.99 Euros, 9.99 GBP)
• Controller ($39.99, 34.99 Euros, 24.99 GBP)
• Headset ($19.99, 19.99 Euros, 14.99 GBP)
• Universal Media Remote ($29.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• Component HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)
• S-Video AV Cable (US) ($29.99)
• SCART AV Cable (Europe) (24.99 Euros, 17.99 GBP)
• VGA HD AV Cable ($39.99, 29.99 Euros, 19.99 GBP)

[Abulia]

I know, I know. I shouldn't do this. It's not very nice. But I debated it so much with people I feel I have to...

[Insert ego boost here]

Um...*walks away quickly*Wow. You're right, that was in bad taste and petty. Well done!

[Abulia]

I'm with you, the console price is very fair. But not including the HDD in the the cheapo model is going to assure that most games don't use it. I'm very dissapointed in the price of the accessories, although pricing is subject to change.

Looks like I'll get the $400 console, Live, and 1 game at launch. That's about ~$550. Suddenly a $600 PS3 doesn't seem that expensive.Ditto. The hardware seems fair (I payed about $460 for my launch-day Xbox + 2 games and a controller) but the $60 game price really raises my ire.

By the time the PS3 comes around and there's some competition in the marketplace, MS will most likely cut 360 prices, further expanding the gap and putting pressure on Sony for their price point.

This hobby is getting real expensive! :D

[mcmillan]

What is Apple waiting to release this?
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/images/BOX.jpg

hehehe :D ... http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/iPlay.html

[GFLPraxis]

Wow. You're right, that was in bad taste and petty. Well done!

I know, I know. I just had a really big debate with somebody; I can't even remember who it was, they just kept insisting the XBox 360 WILL have a hard drive. Had that debate on a couple boards, actually. So I couldn't resist. I know it was in bad taste... :o

[GFLPraxis]

What is Apple waiting to release this?
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/images/BOX.jpg

hehehe :D ... http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/iPlay.html

I'd buy it! :D

[Abulia]

Some pretty nifty designs (and ideas) on that site! Neat!

[StokeLee]

has anyone preordered from Game.net? i nearly did,, but ive not got enough money to purchase everything that i wanted. I know comet do a preorder with a deposit for £10,, does game.net take the full amount?

[Poff]

Bah! This makes me want to wait for Revolution, that's for sure. :)

[aswitcher]

Well at those prices, and notably the game price hikes, I'll wait for Sony to enter the market and see what the price war and real life performance reviews say.

I expect by NH summer 2006 there will be good package deals with multple game and controllers, and by Chritsmas 2006 I expect to see some real discounting.

[reberto]

Total with taxes: over $741 :eek: :eek: :eek: THAT'S A TON OF MONEY :eek: :eek: :eek:

This is why I live in Oregon where there is NO sales tax. Make's buying computers and game consoles a hell of a lot cheeper! :p

[Macamus Prime]

Not much SHOCK and SUPRISE there. These figures have been kicked around for a long time.

Also, plenty of people have been saying an HD and HD-less XBox would be launched.

[GFLPraxis]

I'm not at all surprised at the prices of the system. $299 for the base system with a controller is reasonable (though I am surprised they're selling wired controllers at all). $399 for the higher end model with a headset, wireless controller and hard drive is reasonable. The inclusion of a DVD remote and ethernet cable make it a fairly good deal (they must have a large profit margin on the $299 system).


The only thing that I'm shocked about is the peripheral price. Microsoft is trying to ensure they don't take a loss again, with $30 cables and $99 for the HD, plus XBox Live...

[EvilDoc]

I am willing to bet that MS will drop the price of the $399 xbox once the ps3 comes out, forcing sony to either drop their price or take a sales hit. but i have read some where that the ps3 release date might depend on how well the sales of the xboxx 360 are. Which kind of makes sense.. i dont think $399 all that much.. considering psp's are $250 i can see the ps3 being $500 bucks right out the gate..

[GFLPraxis]

I don't know...

The $399 XBox 360 includes the hard drive (sold at $99; remember, it's removable, so it likely is a laptop-sized drive with a casing), the headset (sold at $19), the Remote (sold at $30), and the wireless controller (sold at $50). That's quite a lot...since they're squeezing all of that for just $99 more, I would think that its the $299 system they're making a larger profit margin off of. I can actually imagine the $299 system dropping in price.

Alternatively, they could take the Remote control out (like they said, it's for a limited time) and drop the price by $20.

[crachoar]

...Alternatively, they could take the Remote control out (like they said, it's for a limited time) and drop the price by $20.

Yes, just like how when the PSPs stopped shipping with 'Spiderman 2' - the price became more reasonable.

The worst news from this story is that game makers will have to create games that don't make use of the hard drive - making it kind of a vanity feature...

It's a shame - because loading game content from the HD is so much nicer than loading it from the DVD.

I guess they forgot to mention that the base model won't be able to play any Xbox games - since it will lack the emulation profiles included on the hard drive.

[GFLPraxis]

Yes, just like how when the PSPs stopped shipping with 'Spiderman 2' - the price became more reasonable.

Well if they're trying to outdo the PS3 every dollar counts...PSP didn't have any competition in the same price range. You're probably right though.

The worst news from this story is that game makers will have to create games that don't make use of the hard drive - making it kind of a vanity feature...

It's a shame - because loading game content from the HD is so much nicer than loading it from the DVD.

I guess they forgot to mention that the base model won't be able to play any Xbox games - since it will lack the emulation profiles included on the hard drive.

A VERY good point.

[saunders45]

But remember kids, It's all about the games...... It's all about the games.............

[kuyu]

But remember kids, It's all about the games...... It's all about the games.............

So true. I know, for instance, that none of the supposed 360 launch titles interest GFLPraxis. However, my gaming interests are very well represented by the probable launch line up of the 360. For me the real problem is too many games I want and too little time/money to play them all.

[saunders45]

What is Apple waiting to release this?
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/images/BOX.jpg

hehehe :D ... http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/iPlay.html

Oh my God.......That controller looks awful. It looks like it would be amost as uncomfortable as the PS3. Frickin analog sticks in the center, ugh........

[saunders45]

So true. I know, for instance, that none of the supposed 360 launch titles interest GFLPraxis. However, my gaming interests are very well represented by the probable launch line up of the 360. For me the real problem is too many games I want and too little time/money to play them all.


That's because he doesn't like shooters or action games, or the xbox in general. And yeah, quite a few games are looking good. GR3, CoD2 are definites, but even Kameo sounds interresting.

[EvilDoc]

Has there even been an anncouncment of when the xbox 360 will lauch? or is everyone assuming Nov 4th?

[saunders45]

No Confirmations yet, but i was thinking the 15th, which if I'm correct, is 4 years from the launch from the first one.

[spaceballl]

ridiculous...

[kuyu]

They will announce the date in a few weeks. Expect small announcements every week from then until launch.

I agree, Kameo looks pretty cool. At least it's something new and different, not just Platformer 38.

If M$ wants to make more money how about selling the system directly on xbox360.com? Ship a day early, and they get the retailer's margin themselves. Where are you guys pre-ordering from?

[saunders45]

Dunno yet. It depends if ther is a "shortage" or not. If there is, then I'll drive to Orlando and get one from a buddy of mine who runs a local game shop. He always can get that crap.

[kuyu]

Well, my local shops have sold out of their 1st and 2nd shipments already! The price was just frickin' announced.

Looks like Walmart.com is going to do pre-orders with in store pickup. It's that or stand in line for 6 hours until midnight of launch. Maybe I'll get on the news ;)

[applekid]

I thought the launch titles haven't been confirmed yet? Well, based on this list: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/641/641086p1.html , I'd want to get CoD2, GR, Gun, Kameo, Perfect Dark, and Tony Hawk. Though, at 60 bucks a game, I think I rather wait for some price drops or just settle on getting games on the older consoles (CoD2, Gun, and Tony Hawk will available on other systems after all). But, if I had to choose one game, it'd be Kameo. Waiting for that game a while since Microsoft's purchase of Rare.

[GFLPraxis]

That's because he doesn't like shooters or action games, or the xbox in general. And yeah, quite a few games are looking good. GR3, CoD2 are definites, but even Kameo sounds interresting.

Kameo is interesting, I hadn't really considered it because G4 immediately said, "Oh no" when they heard about a Kameo game (no idea why), but come to think of it, I've always considered G4 to be blithering idiots, so why should I listen to them?


Anyway, I don't like console shooters (I only play them with a keyboard and mouse), 90% of racing games (the only ones I like is Burnout 3 and Mario Kart, because you get to smash your enemies in the process), and absolutely hate sports games. And have this thing about blood. That limits me quite a bit with some of the consoles. I haven't seen a single announced PS3 game I like, either. So I'll probably wait till 2007 to actually buy a PS3 or XBox 360, whichever has better games.

Full Auto is probably the one game I REALLY want to play on the XBox 360 launch list. I just hope it turns out like Burnout 3 rather than a mindless shoot-everything car game.

[saunders45]

Kameo is interesting, I hadn't really considered it because G4 immediately said, "Oh no" when they heard about a Kameo game (no idea why), but come to think of it, I've always considered G4 to be blithering idiots, so why should I listen to them?


Anyway, I don't like console shooters (I only play them with a keyboard and mouse), 90% of racing games (the only ones I like is Burnout 3 and Mario Kart, because you get to smash your enemies in the process), and absolutely hate sports games. And have this thing about blood. That limits me quite a bit with some of the consoles. I haven't seen a single announced PS3 game I like, either. So I'll probably wait till 2007 to actually buy a PS3 or XBox 360, whichever has better games.

Full Auto is probably the one game I REALLY want to play on the XBox 360 launch list. I just hope it turns out like Burnout 3 rather than a mindless shoot-everything car game.

I have to agree with you on a couple points. I'm not a racing fan, although burnout and mario kart are fun. And yes, G4 does suck. They always bash GC and Xbox stuff. And most of the people on there have an IQ of like 4.

[GFLPraxis]

More like negative 4. I get the impression from G4 that they bash anything that doesn't involve buckets of blood raining. XPlay is the only show I watch now.

[saunders45]

Yeah. Doom is the bomb, Halo 2 rules, GTA San andreas is the greatest game ever......

[crachoar]

Halo 2 was a pretty incredible experience, I thought. One of the only good FPS games left.

Didn't get to play multiplayer that much - but I had days worth of fun with the first game...

Could've been longer - definitely - but I loved it (aside from the terrible soundtrack and lack of ammo).

Incredible design, good story, etc. Plus, it has Co-Op. The only downside being that it's not online Co-Op.

Doom 3? Honestly - nobody likes Doom 3. Not even the idiots on G4 liked Doom 3. I don't even think the guys that made Doom 3 liked Doom 3.

Really, I'm not interested in this launch (hardly ever buy launch consoles) because it feels like the games are going to be rush-jobs.

I was extremely interested in the new Xbox until they jacked the price up $100 - but I'm not at all surprised. I'm just wondering how they're going to patch game bugs without the HDD...

'Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion' sounds promising - but who knows if it's actually being tested properly. I'd hate to invest a ton of time in a game, only to have it crash and corrupt my save files (see: 'KoTOR' for the Xbox)!

Same goes for 'Perfect Dark: Zero'.

I'd kill for a more open version of 'Fable' (the original concept) with co-op or some form of multiplayer - that game was quite fun.

My plan is to just sit back and wait for prices to fall, and for better games to be released.

[d_saum]

Has anyone seen this (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009VXAM0/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-3654918-1228104?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)????

If it really ships at this price, that would kick M$ right in the NUTS!!!

(I dont think it will though)

[GFLPraxis]

One of the things I found annoying was that G4TV had a "best games of the year" where they went over twenty categories. I'm not exaggurating here; Halo 2 and God of War won 95% of the categories and left Half-Life 2 for the last.

It's like they didn't even consider other games. It was utterly ridiculous.

[kuyu]

After some thought I think M$ should ship two SKU's, just not the two they chose.

1) $399 Xbox 360: exactly the same as the announced model at this price point

2) $499 Xbox 360: console, HD cables, 2 controllers, 2 headsets, 20gb HDD, remote, wifi dongle, 3 months of Live Gold

It's counter productive/intuitive to ship a console that's not fully functional out of the box. I'm convinced the reason they've done this is to combat the Revolution next year at a $199 price point. Also, they want parents to buy their kids an xbox360. With the cheaper model they can buy a console and 1 game for under $400

Holidays of 2006 we'll see;
PS3 at $499, $599 for one with an 80GB HDD
Xbox 360 at $199 and $299
Revolution at $199

[EvilDoc]

Holidays of 2006 we'll see;
PS3 at $499, $599 for one with an 80GB HDD
Xbox 360 at $199 and $299
Revolution at $199

Iam with you on that i can see that happening just to put presure on sony

[saunders45]

Has anyone seen this (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009VXAM0/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-3654918-1228104?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)????

If it really ships at this price, that would kick M$ right in the NUTS!!!

(I dont think it will though)

Not at all. It would do the opposite. Microsoft could bankrupt Sony by just buying all the systems.

[aswitcher]

Not at all. It would do the opposite. Microsoft could bankrupt Sony by just buying all the systems.


You forget the cunning plan of "only 2 per customer" ;)

[crachoar]

One of the things I found annoying was that G4TV had a "best games of the year" where they went over twenty categories. I'm not exaggurating here; Halo 2 and God of War won 95% of the categories and left Half-Life 2 for the last.

It's like they didn't even consider other games...

I'm not saying I like G4, but - perhaps that's because those were some damn fine games?

I can't think of better games in those categories.

Now, if 'God of War' won 'best racing game' - then I'd actually agree with you.

However, 'God of War' destroyed practically everything, and deserved all of those awards. One of the best games ever made.

I don't have a problem with great games winning all kinds of awards.

Now - if Doom 3 had walked home with anything (besides 'best interactive demo') - then I'd be upset.

[kaylee]

linky (http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-08-19&res=l)

[raggedjimmi]

Yeah. Doom is the bomb, Halo 2 rules, GTA San andreas is the greatest game ever......


I love Doom 3, but on my PC where the resolution is stonkigly higher, with projected shadows, with everything how it should be.

Halo 2 was dull. it took the piss really. The single player there was so tediously dull, the 2 character thing was a good idea, but whilst i was playing that i just asked myself 'why?'... and of course the ending. i know amateur game makers who could do a better job.

Lol @ GTA:SA. I got bored and found it slightly offensive. plus it was lost in translation. i didnt know what he was on about half the time :eek:

I'd want to get CoD2, GR, Gun, Kameo, Perfect Dark, and Tony Hawk.

What i find interesting, and probably a point i would like to see discussed, is that in a lot of UK mags they had a lot of E3 content... only under Nintendo they said "Twilight Princess is coming, should keep the kids entertained" (one mag actually had those exact words; Night & Day), opposite screenshots of Kameo with nothing about kids? hmm!
as for Perfect Dark... umm... maybe its because i played the original Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, but this looks to have nothing on them. which is a shame. but Rare have been losing quality for some years now.

[d_saum]

Not at all. It would do the opposite. Microsoft could bankrupt Sony by just buying all the systems.

I dont think so, Sony knows they have to take a loss on the hardware. I mean, they have bean counters who figure crap out like that. Like.. "If we sell the ps3 at $299, we will be losing X amount of dollars per unit, BUT, we will sell X amount more ps3's and X number of games and make X amount of money per title for third party developer, and X amount per title that Sony makes". So all they do is figure out where the break even point is.

and as for:
Holidays of 2006 we'll see;
PS3 at $499, $599 for one with an 80GB HDD
Xbox 360 at $199 and $299
Revolution at $199

I dont think so. Sony isn't going to sell $599 EVER! If there price points are above $299, and they do happen to release 2 sku's like M$, they are going to be $399 and $499. I highly doubt they would go upwards of $600. I just think that would be suicide and they would only sell a fraction of what they want to.

Its like that old saying, if I have a gizmo, that costs me $20 bucks to make, do I sell it for $80 and try to make a huge profit on it? or do I sell it for $25 and have a MUCH easier time selling it to ALOT more people. (and yeah, please dont tell me that sony wont be making a profit on the ps3 hardware, I know...I was just using that as an example)

[EvilDoc]

Has any once else read that all 1st party games made my MS will be 49.99 ??

[d_saum]

Has any once else read that all 1st party games made my MS will be 49.99 ??

No, that would be sick though! Everything I read said they would be 59.99

[kuyu]

Regarding pricing for Sony's PS3 we have to keep in mind that it's not a gaming console. Sony themselves have dubbed PS3 an "entertainment supercomputer."

Consider that the Xbox 360 are the PS3 are similarly spec'd. The main differences (as GFLPraxis has noted) are bluetooth, Blu-Ray, dual HDMI-output, universal memory reader, and wifi included on the PS3. Those 5 features surely add $100 to the price. Throw in an 80GB HDD preloaded with Linux and some productivity software, and I'd say you've got yourself a $600 computer no problem.

To most people a $400 console is expensive, but not so much so that the "average" household can't afford one. However, Kutaragi has repeatedly stated that the PS3 will be very expensive. Work more hours and too expensive for the average household doesn't fit a $399 price. $599 is more likely given Sony's comments. Hell, the Nvidia RSX graphics card is a suped-up 7800GTX variant and will be ~$300-$350 dollars next summer alone.

M$ and Nintendo are after Sony big time this go 'round. Since Nintendo is on their own tangent, it's really a battle between Sony and M$. J Allard and Co know that their box is not as technically powerful as Sony's. I'm betting there is some functionality of the Xbox 360 we know nothing about as of yet. Something tells me they will 'turn it on' (whatever it is) the day PS3 ships.

My wild guess is a fully functioning desktop computer running Windows 360. They will ship a wireless keyboard and mouse next summer. We'll all find out that Windows 360 was already installed on our xbox360's from day one. This will give us email, websurfing, MS word, etc. free on every HDD equiped 360. The M$ guys are too confindent that they can dethrone Sony. If this is true, they probably will.

[hyperpasta]

The stupid thing about this generation of systems is that since they're so incerdibly powerful the developers have to work much harder to make a game thats up to people's expectations, thus raising the price. I really hope Nintendo has something good coming - it's the least powerful system so it'll also be the cheapest.

I wonder if Apple could make a game system... try to beat M$'s Media Center Edition plan with an iLife one...

[EvilDoc]

No, that would be sick though! Everything I read said they would be 59.99

ill get you a link to the story once i get home..

[patseguin]

Boy, I WAS excited yesterday when I pre-ordered my 360. From what I read, nobody seems to like it. I wonder if I should cancel and hold out for the PS3.

[EvilDoc]

Boy, I WAS excited yesterday when I pre-ordered my 360. From what I read, nobody seems to like it. I wonder if I should cancel and hold out for the PS3.

why would you cancel it? because other ppl are not excited? that doesnt make sense.. iam gonna pre order mine in a few days.

[d_saum]

Boy, I WAS excited yesterday when I pre-ordered my 360. From what I read, nobody seems to like it. I wonder if I should cancel and hold out for the PS3.

I wouldn't cancel my pre-order either. I mean, I love my xbox now and if things are going to be better, I know Im going to like the 360 even if the launch titles arent the best. But then again, I love video games and currently have ps2, xbox, and the gamecube and am planning to get the ps3, xbox 360, and the revolution so... I may not be the best person to listen to on these matters! :p

[Abulia]

The worst news from this story is that game makers will have to create games that don't make use of the hard drive - making it kind of a vanity feature...I don't think that's necessarily the case; it's easy enough to program a game (I would imagine) that looks for the hard drive, if it's there, takes advantage of the special features, such as custom soundtracks, etc.

You're right on the emulation though. No hard drive…I bet you're screwed! :(

Bad move, MS.

[Abulia]

I wouldn't cancel my pre-order either. I mean, I love my xbox now and if things are going to be better, I know Im going to like the 360 even if the launch titles arent the best. But then again, I love video games and currently have ps2, xbox, and the gamecube and am planning to get the ps3, xbox 360, and the revolution so... I may not be the best person to listen to on these matters! :pI agree. The launch day titles for the Xbox stunk to high heaven. After that, it just got better and better.

The Xbox clearly appeals to a certain demographic. Luckly, I'm part of that demographic. :) I understand that for some people, the Xbox and its games just aren't for them (GFLPraxis, I'm looking at you) but if you like racing games, you like shooters, you like sports, you like playing online with an absurdly easy interface, and you want next gen 6-12 months before anyone else, you're set.

[iKwick7]

I agree. The launch day titles for the Xbox stunk to high heaven. After that, it just got better and better.

The Xbox clearly appeals to a certain demographic. Luckly, I'm part of that demographic. :) I understand that for some people, the Xbox and its games just aren't for them (GFLPraxis, I'm looking at you) but if you like racing games, you like shooters, you like sports, you like playing online with an absurdly easy interface, and you want next gen 6-12 months before anyone else, you're set.

Well put. I, too, am in that demographic. I pretty much only sport game, and the Live interface is just so amazingly great. I don't even use Live all that often, and pretty much only play against my brother, but it is soooo worth it too me- especially the stat tracking. Sony's do what you want attitute towards online just plain sucks, imo.

[saunders45]

This is exactly what I was thinking when they announced the prices.

http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/18120

[patseguin]

why would you cancel it? because other ppl are not excited? that doesnt make sense.. iam gonna pre order mine in a few days.

I am relatively excited about the 360. It seems like all the boards I go to are putting it down and saying to wait for PS3. I guess the only solution is to get both. ;)

[Abulia]

I am relatively excited about the 360. It seems like all the boards I go to are putting it down and saying to wait for PS3. I guess the only solution is to get both. ;)Good plan. :) I'll take a serious look myself when the PS3 becomes available. Key point: "becomes available." Rather than lament on waiting for the PS3, I'd rather be playing on my 360. :)

[kuyu]

Good plan. :) I'll take a serious look myself when the PS3 becomes available. Key point: "becomes available." Rather than lament on waiting for the PS3, I'd rather be playing on my 360. :)

Well said. You echo my sentiments exactly. See you guys on Live this fall.

I promise to go easy on macrumors members ;)

Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm getting PGR3 and PDZ at launch. Hopefully some others here will as well. Happy fragging :)

[EvilDoc]

this site talks alot abot the xbox 360's prices and how much games will cost..

http://www.xbox360news.com/Blogs/News/hqs/blr_347.aspx

[raggedjimmi]

surprisingly Joystiq (i think they're called) ran a little poll, and you go to the Joystiq site... its FULL of extremist Sony fanboys... turns out the Xbox360 had most going for it, it topped the poll for most wanted console! the Rev was just inches behind! or mm. this is a 12" monitor after all. The PS3 was really far behind. i mean it would have needed another 4x votes just to catch up.

im not Xbox's biggest fan. after all... its Microsoft :P . but im happy to see the slow dethroning of Sony. ideally the 'true' gaming companies should be at it again. good ol Sega vs. Nintendo. that was beautiful. friendly rivalry rather than these new 10 year old gangsta-loving fanboys given a voice on the internet.

[aswitcher]

this site talks alot abot the xbox 360's prices and how much games will cost..

http://www.xbox360news.com/Blogs/News/hqs/blr_347.aspx


Thanks.

Well a quick math calc for dvd remote, hdd, makes the 399 package a good deal.

But 3 more wireless controllers and a few games really does make this an expensive buy in...

[Poff]

Indeed an expensive buy-in. I wonder what the price of controller will be for the Revolution. Will a revolutionary controller mean an expensive controller?