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Microsoft Announces Price Cut For Xbox

Posted by simoniker on from the more-box-for-your-buck dept.

fjord66 writes "Effective immediately, Microsoft's Xbox videogame console will retail for $179 in the United States." This wasn't the 50 buck price drop expected, but comes hot on the heels of Sony announcing a new bundle for $199 with an updated PS2 and the network adaptor, and $179 for disposal of the current PS2 stock.

2 of 36 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Will a $20 cut matter? by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I don't know if I agree that it will matter. If I'm considering buying a console and weighing my options between the XBox and the PS2, a 9% difference isn't going to be a huge consideration. I'd be much more apt to look at game libraries, support, and expected lifetime of the system.

    If I were already willing to spend $180, I don't think $20 more is going to sway me a lot. Maybe you're right - I'm talking from my own personal vantage point. I just didn't think that consumers were so fixated on price and saving that extra few bucks that they'd make it the only consideration.

    Why did I buy a PS2? GTA III. Why haven't I bought an XBox? There's no killer game that I feel I need to have and can't get anywhere else. Why am I heavily considering buying a Gamecube? Zelda. My train of thought keeps the price point firmly at the back. I mean, all three consoles are in the same general price zone so I don't think the differences make it a significant selling point.

    But Microsoft must have people who analyze the market and I guess they've determined I am completely wrong and that $20 is a big deal.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  2. Disappointing by AvantLegion · · Score: 2, Interesting
    A price cut that small is definitely disappointing. Better than nothing, sure. But a $50 price cut would probably have sparked a LOT more consumer activity. Obviously, it wasn't going to match the first PS2/Xbox cuts last Memorial Day ($100 cut down to $199). But a $50 cut would have created a good buzz - especially since retailers and consumers were buzzing in anticipation of it. This wimpy $20 cut is just a disappointment to both.

    Time will tell, but I doubt we're going to see much of a spike in sales for either the Xbox OR the PS2.