360 arcade only 50 euro more than a ps2 ( another price cut in e.u)

Aggressive business strategy or sign of desperation? You, dear reader, decide. Because Microsoft have, for the second time in six months, cut the price of the Xbox 360 in Europe. Starting Friday, the price of the standard-issue Pro unit will be £169/€239. Arcades will be £129/€179 (now a LOT cheaper than the Wii), and Elites will go for £229/€299. Compared to the prices a year ago those are some big savings, and with FIFA and Pro Evo around the corner it'll be interesting to see whether they'll tempt many Europeans away from Mother Sony.

LONDON - 16th September 2008 - Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies and share pictures, live out their musical fantasies through "Lips" (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios) and "Rock Band" (Harmonix/MTV Games) and star in their own Hollywood ****cs with "You're in the Movies" (Codemasters/Microsoft Game Studios) - all from one console, starting at an estimated retail price (ERP) of only £129.99. That is the Xbox 360TM, and Microsoft today announced the new lower ERP for its Xbox 360 family of consoles in Europe. Now with an entry-level ERP of £129.99 and offering a plethora of exciting and broad entertainment in the living room, Xbox 360 is the true home of mass market entertainment with something to offer for every interest and budget.

From Friday, 19th September, Xbox 360, which includes a 60GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will have an ERP of £169.99. The Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVETM Marketplace as well as their own music, will have an ERP of £229.99. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world of Xbox, will have an ERP of £129.99.

The new ERPs are part of Microsoft's ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with something for everyone. A major part of this strategy is a new Xbox LIVE online experience coming to Europe this autumn that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use. It's the first time in history that a mass market consumer electronics device has been reinvented through free software, changing the way we play games, watch movies, and even become contestants in game shows. Along with the new Xbox experience, the Xbox 360 platform is offering a stunning games portfolio for all ages and interests this Christmas, with new titles for music lovers, family-friendly games, and exciting blockbuster titles for the committed gamer.
"Xbox 360 has now sold over 20 million consoles worldwide and due to its unprecedented success, we are now able to pass on the rewards of that success to the consumer with a new retail pricing from £129.99", said Neil Thompson, Senior Regional Director, Microsoft UK. "With more games, more entertainment with Xbox LIVE and now even more value, we are looking forward to welcoming more customers into the leading Next Generation console, Xbox 360

http://kotaku.com/5050389/europe-gets-another-360-price-cut

Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.Floppy_Jim

agreed. they are looking really desperate. I have a feeling it will back fire, people will start looking at X360 as 'cheap' console and PS3 as a 'premium' console.

Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
Adrian_Cloud

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
Adrian_Cloud

The pro was also reduced in price and is now cheeper than the wii

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 4 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 4 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

micky4889

if the competition was as close last gen as it is this gen, you would have seen more price drops.

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 less than 3 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

micky4889

X360 launched Dec 2005, it aint even Dec 2008 yet.

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
mephisto_11

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

Lol, I'm not a casual, and while that stuff did turn me off initially, since I just wanted to play games regardless and don't care about downloads, reduced load times, saving to HD (256 meg is good enough for saving, most saves are pretty small). I bought it as an extention to the PS2, for its only purpose to be playing games, while it still botheres me that things like the usb cable connecting the controller isn't a standard one, or that it doesn't have any form of wireless, and I can't play online without paying, its good enough for just playing games, and isn't that why people buy consoles?

I might actually consider buying one now, despite 3 of my friends having gotten 5 RRoDs in total.Hexagon_777

[QUOTE="Floppy_Jim"]Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.xxThyLordxx

agreed. they are looking really desperate. I have a feeling it will back fire, people will start looking at X360 as 'cheap' console and PS3 as a 'premium' console.

No they wont, damn i cant stand fanboys ...

People will see it as, "Little jimmies birthday is coming up soon, i already have him a Wii, maybe i should get him this to go with it, it's good value(which honestly, it isnt ...)

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 4 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

micky4889

word its xbox cursed when it comes to demand

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]

might actually consider buying one now, despite 3 of my friends having gotten 5 RRoDs in total.ff7isnumbaone

lol not me watching my freinds being upset over just buying live and getting rrod sucks.

Yea, I thought the same. I told myself that I'll just play the Xbox 360 at their place and when it gets the RRoD, it's their problem, not mine, but the price is very tempting now.

[QUOTE="Floppy_Jim"]Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.xxThyLordxx

agreed. they are looking really desperate. I have a feeling it will back fire, people will start looking at X360 as 'cheap' console and PS3 as a 'premium' console.

if anything it makes the PS3 look overpriced in today financial climate

So thats 2 full price drops (not counting discontinued stock) in 1 year in Europe?

Its a great price, but its a little alarming that they feel the need to do it twice in a year.

WOW they are just practically giving away the Xbox 360. lesner87

179 euros is not giving away anything. It still equals around $250 for the Arcade.

They're gonna own the holiday because of the "wii shortages" which by the way is the most ridiculous thing in the universe.Gesyma

Is there even a wii shortage in Europe? Wii Fit definately, but the wii has plenty of stock right now it seems.

lol at the cows, apparantly price drops are bad now :roll:pro-nathan-07

I was thinking the same thing. How is the price drop a bad thing? More people can afford a system with a great lineup of games.

[QUOTE="Gesyma"]They're gonna own the holiday because of the "wii shortages" which by the way is the most ridiculous thing in the universe.nicenator

Is there even a wii shortage in Europe? Wii Fit definately, but the wii has plenty of stock right now it seems.

Really? Didn't know that. Over here (US) they're still tough to find although you don't really hear about it too much anymore...

Its their 3rd price drop in 3 years.

Didnt PS3 drop its price by 200 euros in 1 year?

Whos really desperate of the two?

[QUOTE="micky4889"]

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 less than 3 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

xxThyLordxx

X360 launched Dec 2005, it aint even Dec 2008 yet.

And the PS2 hasnt even been out for 9 years yet, :lol:.

Its their 3rd price drop in 3 years.

Didnt PS3 drop its price by 200 euros in 1 year?

Whos really desperate of the two?

-General_Ram-

Well, neither is desperate, simply doing business.

But Sony had to get their prices down, they were selling at a loss anyway. They knew 600 was too high for the average game console. As soon as the costs came down, they had to drop the price, and that's what they did.

As for this, it's just smart business. If MS can afford to do it, I would too.

Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.Floppy_Jim

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
mephisto_11

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

i agree with you, despite the fact that they dont care about it, and i know this is gonna sound stupid but harddrives should become the standard because even when i walk into my gamestop i see the casuals buying alot of games and when they run out of space there gonna wanna buy a hd, i think its time that the hard drive just became a standard in a system

Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
Adrian_Cloud

Yes those people exist, just like some people here thinks everyone else in the world has a HDTV.

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
angelkimne

Yes those people exist, just like some people here thinks everyone else in the world has a HDTV.

yeah but dont you get live silver regardless?

[QUOTE="Floppy_Jim"]Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.Animal-Mother

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
mephisto_11

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

i agree with you, despite the fact that they dont care about it, and i know this is gonna sound stupid but harddrives should become the standard because even when i walk into my gamestop i see the casuals buying alot of games and when they run out of space there gonna wanna buy a hd, i think its time that the hard drive just became a standard in a system

360 games only reguire a few megabytes to save games.

10 games bought for an arcade is just fine.

Its truly pathetic and equally revealing that a 360, in 2008, has to lower its price to almost PS2 level (Which is still competing). roadkill88

What's pathetic is that fanboys can't see a good deal when there obviously is one. Do you think for a second that the PS2 would have stayed at the price it stayed at if the system wars last gen was as close as it is this gen? If someone is a gamer (or says that they are a gamer) and doesn't get the 360 this generation, there is something very wrong. The best console for gamers this gen is by far the 360 with the PS3 coming in second. This coming from a gamer that has been playing since the 2600 and has owned most consoles that have come after....yes including the 32x and 3D0.

Its truly pathetic and equally revealing that a 360, in 2008, has to lower its price to almost PS2 level (Which is still competing). roadkill88

Whats really pathetic is the damage control seen in this post ^^^

[QUOTE="Animal-Mother"][QUOTE="Floppy_Jim"]Microsoft should just start giving away 360's in cereal boxes.-General_Ram-

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
mephisto_11

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

i agree with you, despite the fact that they dont care about it, and i know this is gonna sound stupid but harddrives should become the standard because even when i walk into my gamestop i see the casuals buying alot of games and when they run out of space there gonna wanna buy a hd, i think its time that the hard drive just became a standard in a system

360 games only reguire a few megabytes to save games.

10 games bought for an arcade is just fine.

i guess so i mean i've prob played 20 360 game in my hd career and i still have 10 gigs left, i mean i just feel better with a hard drive but thats just me

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"]Wait so no HDD?
Which means?
No arcade downloads, betas, less memory space to save games, and no GTAIV DLC. Thats not all, no saving games to HDD to reduce long load times. Well not to be left out,i'm sure this model will come with RROD.

I'm sure people there would rather buy a PS2 than a piece of junk 360 model.
mephisto_11

the arcade is aimed at casual gamers and they dont give a crap about any of that, they buy wiis.

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 4 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

micky4889

... and it took the the PS3 one and a half years to drop $200.00 so what does that say about the PS3?

[QUOTE="micky4889"]

It took 9 years for the ps2 to hit 129.00

It took the 360 4 years to hit 179

it just shows that the demand for 360s is slowing falling

DireOwl

... and it took the the PS3 one and a half years to drop $200.00 so what does that say about the PS3?

it dropped $100

Premium sku $599 - > $499

Base sku $499 - > $399

lol at the cows, apparantly price drops are bad now :roll:pro-nathan-07

So what were lemmings when they bashed Sony last year for dropping the price?

So the 360 has the best rated library of games (both retail and downloadable) the best online implementation by far and is now almost half the price.

Bit of a no brainer really isn't it.