Slashdot Mirror
XBox 360 Bundles Top $700
Gamespot is reporting that, with some idea of the skus that will be available for the Xbox 360 when it launches, game retailers are now prepping incredibly expensive console bundles for the first of the next-gen systems. From the article: "...when hot new gaming systems come out, supply is short, and demand is often so high that retailers can elect to sell the units only as parts of bundles that include accessories and games of the retailer's choosing. EBgames.com unveiled its holiday offerings today, and the prices may make some gamers feel as though they're getting 'scrooged.' Like Microsoft, EB Games is offering two bundles, one for gamer's interested in the Core System and one for gamers eyeing the premium package. The Xbox 360 Core Bundle is priced at $599.93, and it includes everything in the standard package, plus an extra wired controller, a 64MB memory unit, and four games: Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Kameo: Elements of Power. Using Microsoft's announced pricing for peripherals and an assumed $59.99 price point for Xbox 360 games, the package unbundled would come to $618.94. "
Well, there's always Christmas of '06, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKU
SKU - Stock Keeping Unit. It's what stores like EB use to reorder their merchandise internally. The standalone X-Box 360 will have one SKU, where the bundle will probably have another. It's the x-digit number located below the price on the EB pricetag. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_Keeping_Unit
I knew it , those Swedish communists are at it again , trying to control the world console market
The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
...for the PSP, didn't it?
Consumers aren't going to bite on this. There's a limit to what people will accept. Forced bundles worked for the PS2 but that's really the only time they've worked, and everybody knows now that if you just wait 5 minutes there will be plenty of bare systems around to buy if that's what you want.
I have no doubt - none - that you'll be able to walk into a store on launch day, plunk down $300 or $400, and walk out with nothing but an Xbox 360 box if that's all you want. That's the way it was on PSP and DS launch day, and MS is saying they'll have a million Xbox 360's on sale at that system's launch. Save your money - don't preorder. Don't be a sucker. Show these idiots that forced bundles don't work anymore.
Not that Microsoft people read Slashdot, but in case one happens to...
That's just too much for a game system. I usually buy the new consoles when they come out (proud owner of a PS2, XBox, and Atari 2600), but these prices have pushed them out of the realm of game system and into the realm of major electronics investment. Even the so-called "core bundle" is as expensive than what I paid for my surround-sound system. More expensive bundles are pushing what I paid for my flat screen HDTV, which is the centerpiece of my whole entertainment system.
I know that Microsoft is trying to push the XBox 360 as a high-end electronics component, but the vast majority of people are going to just see it as a fancy game system. If you look at the official fact sheet, there is little to support anything more than that. A Windows Media Center extender? How many people do they think own Windows Media Center PCs anyway?
I guess what I'm saying is that while the XBox 360 looks like a really kick-ass game system, $600 to $700 is just too much money to pay to watch the Dead or Alive girls do their thing.
Am I the only one thinking "holy crap I could buy a half-decent PC for that price?!"
I see another video game crash coming. I certainly won't be buying any of the Next Big Systems, and I don't think I'm the only one.
No its not exclusive, infact they have stated just the opposit, that they hope to be getting it onto any system that can support it (which leads people to beleive a PS3 and Mac version is comming)
"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."
I guess you never worked retail in your life.
You lucky bastard.
Yes, but said PC wouldn't look pretty under the TV. Only since living with my significantly better half have I realised how important that feature is.
If I've learn't one thing over the last few years: wireless controllers were invented for men who live with women. Women hate wires. They see them as mess. Mess means grief. Its worth paying more for less grief - even if it means there is a little bit of lag, and extra batteries to buy.
Consoles tend to be quieter than PCs. Again this is important. If said better half is in the room whilst you're playing (a rarity) all they can hear is the fan, even if you've got the 5.1 turned up to 11.
Consoles have near instant on. This is important because a good women demands a lot of attention, and doesn't like to think that her precious 'you and me' time is shared between her and a 'stupid box in the corner'. You need to be able to grab every moment you can when and if you can, instant on is important for this.
Consoles can be bought as presents. If you live on a budget, and the better half wants to splash out on you don't ask her to buy you a new PC. She'll get it wrong. Ask her to buy you a XBox 360 and 9/10 she'll get it right and everyone is happy.
Scared of flying, pointy things snce 1979!
But Halo 3 will let you hold 3 guns at once!! None of the cool ones, but what do you expect?
Halo 3 will also have you play a soldier of the flood. Of course, it'll be exactly like the other two races, but your hand will look really different.
Halo 3 will also nerf the only good weapon (*cough*pistol*cough*) and introduce a cool new weapon to take its place as the most powerful.
That new weapon will, of course, be replaced in Halo 4.
People get so freaked out over what is a package at a retailer. It's not like the EB death squads will be coming around to collect your $700 for the evil M$FT!!! Buy the console, get a game or two if you like and relax. These packages are gonna be all over the place, hopefully we are only seeing hysteria because it is more or less the first one out there.. Do you honestly think these packages are gonna make up a large percentage of 360 sales? I really can't see that being the case.
You can fool some of the people all of the time
But people will buy it just the same. I remember the same type of chatter that went on when the PS2 came out, and those flew off the shelves.
:)
When the box launches, you watch how many preorders are fulfilled and how many walk-in purchases are made. It will no doubt break records, and these pre-launch gripes about pricing will be all but forgotten. Most likely replaced with "was it worth it?" type of discussions.
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
Are any stores offering financing for this thing? There's no way in hell I can afford to hand over $700+ on a system and games, all at once!
-==- Buy a Mac and leave me alone!
You do realize that this is EB Games creating the bundle, and not Microsoft, right? Wait until launch day, come in a little late to work, and stop by a Best Buy or Target first thing in the morning. Cost to you: 399 plus tax. Seriously, nobody ever goes into Target the first day to buy game systems. When PSPs were hard to come by at game stores the first couple weeks, Target was overloaded with them. Best Buy will sell out pretty quickly, but they always do a preorder card months before, which will be for the system only.
Why is everyone saying that microsoft is behind these bundles? It's EB that has created them not MS.
Is the whole slashdot community really full clueless asshats?
The people I would love to hurt are the ones at Square-Enix. If I understand right, Final Fantasy is now 360-exclusive. So much for Final Fantasy. :\
Where in the world did you get that idea? FF XI is going to be ported, but that's pretty much it for the moment.
There's another "main" FF game coming out for the PS2, as well.
If you're in Canada, I'd suggest Canadian Tire. On PS2 launch day, when every other store in the city was sold out of PS2s, every Canadian Tire in the city had at least ten consoles sitting on the shelves.
Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
Game Stop now has a $1,199.83 bundle available. And theirs start at $799. Stop the insanity.
Do you really think that EB and other stores won't be pushing PS3 or Revolution bundles? They want to rake in as much launch cash as they can and bundles are how they do it. The thing is, as much as people bitch and whine many would have bought the same configuration anyway and you will be able to find unbundled versions as well.