Next-Gen Gaming to be Uber Expensive

The CNN column Game Over is running an article discussing the costs associated with going Next-Gen. Using the Xbox 360 as an example, they calculate that to get the full next-generation experience would cost almost $2000. From the article: "The first test comes this fall, when Microsoft debuts the Xbox 360. The company hasn't announced a price for the machine, but several industry observers believe it could cost $399 -- $100 more than new consoles have traditionally cost."

Comments

Price predictions

[mrbaggs]

While most analysts keep saying the price will be up there, I think 360 will arrive at $299. Sony has already shown that it has superior hardware and MS knows that the slight gap of headstart they have on PS3 is their only real chance to seize hold of the console market. MS has shown with Xbox that it will take a hit to keep prices competitive and I believe 360s launch will be no different.

Re:Price predictions

[zero_offset]

There is a pretty intriguing article at HardOCP about the 360 GPU. It's sounding pretty stunning.

Re:The last round of consoles was more expensive,

[StocDred]

In the US, the PlayStation launched at $300 and the PS2 launched at $300. I don't recall what the N64 launched at, but I think it was higher than the GameCube ($200). These doomsayer articles show up for every new console launch, because it makes good theoretical press to run around screaming "OMG PS3 WILL COST $600!" Ignore it.

And...

[Ghost429]

Who wants to bet the Revolution will be cheaper than both of them... again.

Re:And...

[BigDork1001]

More times than I can play Metel Gear, Grand Theft Auto, Grand Tourismo, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, HALO, and any number of other games. I guarantee that if those game series had been released in the NES days we'd have GTA 10 or something like that.

Well

[Ailure]

Didn't the x-box struggle until they had a big pricedrop? Price will matter alot amongst people after all...

You never know, Nintendo could lead next generation with their revolution if it's more affordable than PS3 or X-box 360. But i'm not surprised if they do a big pricedrop a few months after release so...

Won't anybody think of the children?

[hey!]

If the cheapest car you could get your hands on was a Lincoln Navigator three things would happen: nobody would drive, we'd have a kickass public transit system, and Ford wouldn't sell any Navigators to speak of. Car companies that want to compete in the luxury segment rely on their being an entry level market to to support the infrastructure and provide customers for the upgrade treadmill.

Given how huge the gaming industry is, it's surprising how monolithic it has been to date, with manufacturers vying head to head with flagship products. I'm not a gamer, so I only follow this peripherally, but it seems inevitable that they're going to start producing product lines that in automative terms would be Chevy Cavaliers, Honda Accords and Hummers.

Re:All inclusive

[AuMatar]

You're assuming people care. I'm tired of the effort spent on graphics in games- the things looked good enough 5 years ago. Lets stop with the graphic whoring and work on the gameplay already.