Xbox 360 pricing announced (no HDD in base model)

HyperionX · Post by **HyperionX** » 2005-08-17 09:56am

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/642/642633p1.html

Xbox 360 Sells For Two Prices
Two SKUs offer premium ($399) and core pricing ($299) at launch in the US and in Europe.
by Douglass C. Perry

August 17, 2005 - Confirming long-standing rumors of two different Xbox 360 set-ups, Microsoft today officially announced two price SKUs for the North American and European markets. The Redmond, WA. company will offer a premium system for $399.99 for the North American market, with a 399.99 euro pricing, and 279.99 pounds for Great Britain; and a core set-up for $299.99 in the U.S, a 299.99 euro pricing, with a 209.99 British MSRP.

Microsoft said it will announce Asian-market news at the Tokyo Game Show in mid-September. And it remains officially silent on a release date, confirming only that Microsoft is on target for "holiday launches" in all three territories. Since rumors regarding all Microsoft products have all panned out, IGN expects a fall ship date (November) for 360 in North America and Europe.

The premium, or the "Xbox 360" package ($399.99), is designed for the hardcore, HD-ready gamer, while the Xbox 360 Core System ($299.99) is your basic set-up.

The premium package contains an Xbox 360, a detachable 20-GB hard-drive, a wireless controller, faceplate, headset, a component HD AV cable, an Ethernet cable, and for a limited time, a remote controller.

The basic, or the "Core 360 System" set-up, is a stripped down affair in comparison. It includes an Xbox 360, one standard wire controller, a faceplate, and a standard AV cable. The $399 package is designed for the high-definition gaming era; the other is designed for a no-frills, current-gen set-up. Presumably both systems come with power cords, though Microsoft's press releases didn't actually include them.

Taking into account that a memory card ($39.99 U.S./?34.99/£22.99) is required for saving games, a headset ($19.99 U.S./?19.99/£14.99) is necessary for Xbox Live play, a second controller sells for $39.99 (?34.99/£24.99), and a remote goes for $29.99 (?29.99/£19.99), totaling $130, the premium price appears the better deal. The above tally doesn't include a MS HD, which costs an additional $99 (totaling $229).

Microsoft's Vice President Peter Moore explained the company learned through extensive research that gamers and consumers wanted choice above all other things.

"We've learned gamers want choice," explained a confident Moore. "We really believe in the early-going that the Xbox 360 package will be the majority of purchases. It's huge value for the money at $399, with a hard-drive, with wireless controllers, with HD cables, and you get high definition right out of the box, and there will be content loaded on the hard-drive, high definition videos included, and you will be immediately able to see HD broadcast."

I guess me and a few other here were right. The HDD isn't standard. Wireless controllers apparently aren't standard either, but that I suppose isn't as much of a deal.

Max · Post by **Max** » 2005-08-17 10:44am

Looks like I'll be getting the 399 version...that has the options I want. Curses microsoft!

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2005-08-17 11:37am

I know, I shouldn't do this. But I debated it so much, and even got PM's from people telling me I was wrong, that I can't hold back...

TOLD YOU SO!!!!!

Anyway,

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

It's a brilliant strategy on MS's part. Buy the core system, and you get a wired controller and if you buy a wireless controller, headset, and memory card, you're already paying more than you would.

As a result, people who buy the lower end model get stuck with all that stuff to buy at high prices, encouraging people to buy the high end model.

HyperionX · Post by **HyperionX** » 2005-08-17 11:40am

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)

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2005/08 ... etails.htm

Ouch, not only are they going to NOT include the HDD as standard, they're also going to rape the consumer on everything. $50 for a wireless controller, without a battery pack, which costs $12, and that needs another $20 for a play and charge kit. Going wireless costs $82 for just one controller! (unless you like buying new batteries every month) $40 for a 64MB memory card, $30 for a remote, $30 for a cable, $40 for a HDTV cable.

I hope this is some lame stunt by MS, because with these prices they're not aiming to pull a Dreamcast, they're aiming to pull a Saturn.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2005-08-17 01:50pm

Saturn was largely hampered not by pricing but by a limited selection of games due to the difficulty of taking advantage of the Saturn hardware.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 02:21pm

So much for all the affordability arguments shitted out by the X-Box wankers across the 'net's blasted plains.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2005-08-17 02:32pm

Well, XBox was already on the bottom of my list of potential next gen console purchases. Now it's off the list entirely.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2005-08-17 03:10pm

Uraniun235 wrote:Saturn was largely hampered not by pricing but by a limited selection of games due to the difficulty of taking advantage of the Saturn hardware.

Saturn never really could handled taxing 3D...which is why it's not real a surprise that many of the best games that ended up getting released for that turd of a system were 2D.

Dakarne · Post by **Dakarne** » 2005-08-17 03:14pm

Oh well... it's just a few quid here and there...

I'll still be getting it, I'll of course be waiting for the prices to drop a bit.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2005-08-17 04:57pm

SirNitram wrote:So much for all the affordability arguments shitted out by the X-Box wankers across the 'net's blasted plains.

I don't understand that statement. I remember only a few people arguing that the $300 price point would include the HD and peripherals.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 05:49pm

Arthur_Tuxedo wrote:
SirNitram wrote:So much for all the affordability arguments shitted out by the X-Box wankers across the 'net's blasted plains.
I don't understand that statement. I remember only a few people arguing that the $300 price point would include the HD and peripherals.

Here? Possibly. But we don't get many X-Box idiots here.

Icehawk · Post by **Icehawk** » 2005-08-17 05:51pm

This isnt very surprising to me. Considering its coming out this year $399 for a system of that power and capability is understandable.
By the time PS3 launches (im pretty sure it'll be next holiday season over here) 360 might be able to have a price cut for the premium set or a special Halo 3 Package (assuming they stick to their claim of launching it at the time of PS3) deal or something as an added punch in Sony's face.

SPOOFE · Post by **SPOOFE** » 2005-08-17 07:14pm

So much for all the affordability arguments shitted out by the X-Box wankers across the 'net's blasted plains.

Affordability relative to what? The PS3? Still a better deal. A PC? Still WA-A-A-AY better a deal. So what are you blathering about?

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 07:33pm

SPOOFE wrote:
So much for all the affordability arguments shitted out by the X-Box wankers across the 'net's blasted plains.
Affordability relative to what? The PS3? Still a better deal. A PC? Still WA-A-A-AY better a deal. So what are you blathering about?

A better deal based on what? Your delusions and your head up your own ass? I find it unlikely you've got shit to back that up, given that the damn PS3 price isn't even announced yet.

Not that things like facts ever seem to stop you. But.

SPOOFE · Post by **SPOOFE** » 2005-08-17 07:54pm

A better deal based on what?

Price/performance ratio, dumbshit. Now answer my question instead of dodging.

I find it unlikely you've got shit to back that up, given that the damn PS3 price isn't even announced yet.

True; everything about the PS3 is still just a rumor. Base price of Xbox360: $299. Supposed base price of PS3: $399.

You don't get a HDD in the base Xbox, but neither do you get one in the base PS3 (supposedly).

Not that things like facts ever seem to stop you. But.

I'll take that as a concession, thanks.

InnocentBystander · Post by **InnocentBystander** » 2005-08-17 09:03pm

HyperionX wrote:Ouch, not only are they going to NOT include the HDD as standard, they're also going to rape the consumer on everything. $50 for a wireless controller, without a battery pack, which costs $12, and that needs another $20 for a play and charge kit. Going wireless costs $82 for just one controller!

Wait, the wireless controller doesn't come with a battery? Are you sure about that? It would be pretty wierd if you couldn't use your controller right out of the box, I'm willing to bet that they come with a battery, but you have the option of buying more (as replacements, or as seconds).
Does the charge kit have enough slots for four batteries? Otherwise even if they do come with batteries, the price to keep four wireless controllers around seems a little on the crazy side.

SPOOFE · Post by **SPOOFE** » 2005-08-17 09:20pm

Wait, the wireless controller doesn't come with a battery?

I think it doesn't come with a rechargeable battery... that is, you can still use AA's. So it's not as bad as Hyperion makes it out to be (what else is new?).

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 09:23pm

SPOOFE wrote:
A better deal based on what?
Price/performance ratio, dumbshit. Now answer my question instead of dodging.

Given the price and specs of the PS3 are not confirmed to be set in stone.. You are lying. So there's nothing to respond to.

I find it unlikely you've got shit to back that up, given that the damn PS3 price isn't even announced yet.
True; everything about the PS3 is still just a rumor. Base price of Xbox360: $299. Supposed base price of PS3: $399.

You don't get a HDD in the base Xbox, but neither do you get one in the base PS3 (supposedly).

So now we're going to make things up and pretend you're right? Mmmhmm. Same old SPOOFE.

Not that things like facts ever seem to stop you. But.
I'll take that as a concession, thanks.

Given none was offered, this only confirms that you're a worthless, lying sack of shit, eager to run away declaring victory as you search for a hiding spot.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2005-08-17 09:25pm

If you only look at performance, yeah. That ignores everything else, like WiFi ($99 extra on the XBox 360) and Blu-ray (12x the disk space), etc.

President Sharky · Post by **President Sharky** » 2005-08-17 09:37pm

Then I'm covered for controllers, as I already have an AA battery charger. I'll still probably wait at least until March 2006 (thus allowing me to behold the selection of games) before I think about purchasing an X-Box 360.

SPOOFE · Post by **SPOOFE** » 2005-08-17 10:12pm

Given the price and specs of the PS3 are not confirmed to be set in stone.. You are lying.

I am, at worse, wrong. You are, at best, a hypocrite... or did you forget YOUR similarly conclusive comments about hardware that is not set in stone?

So there's nothing to respond to.

And yet you do anyway. Who's lying now?

So now we're going to make things up and pretend you're right?

Name one thing I "made up" and I'll concede the whole point.

Given none was offered, this only confirms that you're a worthless, lying sack of shit, eager to run away declaring victory as you search for a hiding spot.

Considering that you've completely contradicted yourself in this thread, I'd be a little more hesitant to accuse others of being eager to run away declaring victory. Do you even remember what your first post in this thread was? Or do you have the memory of a goldfish, starting with a blank slate every ten seconds or so?

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2005-08-17 10:22pm

Spoofe, how exactly do you compare PC price/performance to console price/performance? A PC does WAY more things than a console (even dedicated gamers use their computers for things other than gaming.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 10:35pm

SPOOFE wrote:
Given the price and specs of the PS3 are not confirmed to be set in stone.. You are lying.
I am, at worse, wrong. You are, at best, a hypocrite... or did you forget YOUR similarly conclusive comments about hardware that is not set in stone?

Yes, actually. If I made such before the announcement of the hardware still being in review, I rescind them. You, on the other hand, stand there looking like a moron with an axe to grind.

So there's nothing to respond to.
And yet you do anyway. Who's lying now?

Not I. I'm just mocking you as you make lots of noise.

So now we're going to make things up and pretend you're right?
Name one thing I "made up" and I'll concede the whole point.

Any indication that you know what the PS3 will ship as and sell for.

Given none was offered, this only confirms that you're a worthless, lying sack of shit, eager to run away declaring victory as you search for a hiding spot.
Considering that you've completely contradicted yourself in this thread, I'd be a little more hesitant to accuse others of being eager to run away declaring victory. Do you even remember what your first post in this thread was? Or do you have the memory of a goldfish, starting with a blank slate every ten seconds or so?

No, I just don't humour those whose syphilis has completely obliterated their brains. The system proposed is not the pinnacle of affordability and function promised by the retards running on the open plains of the internet. If you were less of a brain-damaged retard, you'd even notice I wasn't talking about the people here and your pathetic need to scream and shout.

But you're a moron. So instead we'll be treated to you trying desperately to scream 'BUT YOU DID SAY THIS HARDWARE WAS BETTER, EVEN WHEN YOUR FIRST POST DOESN'T EVEN MENTION THE PS3!!!!!! YOU DID! YOU DID!'. Oh well. No change there.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-08-17 10:36pm

Master of Ossus wrote:Spoofe, how exactly do you compare PC price/performance to console price/performance? A PC does WAY more things than a console (even dedicated gamers use their computers for things other than gaming.

Probably rampant insanity. That'd be my guess.

On the other hand, the original X-Box proved a handy toy for those wanting to do certain types of computing, as I recall. People set them up for all sorts of things with hacks; I'm sure the next gen consoles will get similar jerryrigging. But this is far and away from any valid comparison of a gaming rig vs. a game console.

HyperionX · Post by **HyperionX** » 2005-08-17 11:33pm

InnocentBystander wrote:
HyperionX wrote:Ouch, not only are they going to NOT include the HDD as standard, they're also going to rape the consumer on everything. $50 for a wireless controller, without a battery pack, which costs $12, and that needs another $20 for a play and charge kit. Going wireless costs $82 for just one controller!
Wait, the wireless controller doesn't come with a battery? Are you sure about that? It would be pretty wierd if you couldn't use your controller right out of the box, I'm willing to bet that they come with a battery, but you have the option of buying more (as replacements, or as seconds).
Does the charge kit have enough slots for four batteries? Otherwise even if they do come with batteries, the price to keep four wireless controllers around seems a little on the crazy side.

I don't know if it does or doesn't come with batteries or not. However, if the battery pack only last 25 hours then the controller probably eats AA batteries for lunch, so you probably want the whole shabang, which is $82. The charge kit is something you plug into the controller and to the USB port in the X360 and charges the batteries while letting you play simultaneously.