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Paul Thurrot Predicts November Debut, $500 Tag For Xbox 720
New submitter inkribbon writes that Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott has now predicted that Microsoft's Xbox 720 console will actually hit the market this November. Thurrott offers a mix of what he considers cold, known facts and "clearly identified conjecture" about the upcoming device. Important to users is this confidently offered claim about the price: "Microsoft will initially offer two pricing models for the console: a standalone version for $499 and a $299 version that requires a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold commitment at an expected price of $10 per month."
I see what Microsoft did there. Instead of doubling 360 to 720, they've doubled o to oo. When put together, it looks like infinity.
$120 for a year of xbox live? 2X price increase for what, more DRM? Really?
This item is just bizarre:
>Internet-connected. The next Xbox must be Internet-connected to use. This is the source of the “always on”/“always online” rumors and isn’t as Draconian >as many seem to believe.
If it must be connected to play local games, it's exactly as draconian as many believe. This would be a deal-breaker for me. When my Internet is down, I tend to play video games.
So I get to pay $10 a month for the privilege of being able to pay Netflix $8 a month to watch some movies on my Xbox? No sale, chick.
The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
For me it wasn't that they added ads to it. It was that they charged me to use the thing online with services that I sometimes paid for, for example I have to have gold to use netflix on the xbox. Then after they made me pay to use services they didn't host themselves they went along and added ads as if to say "ok baby now just bend over over here and everyone on my team is going to have a turn." They are royally screwing with people constantly. They had better have some damn good exclusives if they are going to compete in the next generation. With PS guaranteeing no always on DRM(I'm not saying Microsoft will but they sure haven't done much to say that they aren't) and no subscription services I think it will put people over the edge.
Wish I never bought my 360.
What about when you buy a computer, and there's ads in your webpages? Or when you buy a magazine, and there's full-page ads? Or when you buy a TV, and there's advertisements? Or when you buy a shirt, and there's a little polo player on it?
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They have a leading system now.
Third out of three is "having a leading system" now? At least original Xbox was second.
So they will definitely put themselves on death row by confirming the "always-on" rumor. It's been going on so long and is such a poisonous issue, I can't believe they wouldn't have denied it by now if it weren't true.