Sheep and Cows are done, Microsoft Releases 99 Dollar 360.

http://www.giantbomb.com/xbox-360/60-20/microsoft-is-going-ahead-with-the-99-xbox-360two-year-subscription-plan/35-546033/#103

Rumors were aboundlast week thatMicrosoftwas planning some sort of insane-sounding $99Xbox 360deal that came encumbered with a two-year subscription contract, and now the console maker hasannounced exactly that. Those who purchase an Xbox 360 from Microsoft's own retail outlets will be able to buy a new console, complete with an Xbox Live Gold Membership andKinect,for $99, provided they sign up for a two-year contract with the company.

The subscription fee for the contract is $14.99 per-month, which roughly amounts to just under a hundred dollars more than you'd pay for all of the included Xbox stuff up-front. There is also an undisclosed "termination fee" for those who want to break their contract early.

It's a cell phone model as-yet-unused in console gaming, but could be successful for the seven-year-old console, provided people can actually find a Microsoft Store to buy one of these things. The number of nationwide locations for Microsoft Stores is relatively low, though if you happen to live within relative driving distance of Scottsdale, Arizona'sbeautifulScottsdale Fashion Square, or one of the two separate locations in New Jersey (wait, what?), then you're in luck.

Once you're done contemplating the irony of this deal for a device that relies heavily on digital content being exclusively available through hard to find brick-and-mortar retail outlets, you can find the complete list of Microsoft Store locationshere

*if already posted go ahead and lock*

I personally think its a stupid idea it doesn't offer nearly the value since you can get it for cheaper just as it is without the contract, as well its limited to online and microsoft retail stores.

Edit: After all is said and done you will be spending $460 on this.
Edit 2: Outside of tihs subscription plan a monthly subscriptio is $9.99, Under this subscription plan its $15.99.
Edit 3: since the topic was falling by the way side I went ahead and fanboyed up the title.

Honestly, from their standpoint, this idea is fantastic. In this day and age, people love the idea of cheap upfront, with costs over time. Whilst it turns out more expensive, the payments are relatively small in comparison to an upfront charge.

by the way for the people that dont want to do the math its $460 after all is said and done.

This is not a good deal in any way; nonetheless, it provides more options. I see no problem with it.

Xbox 360 + Kinect: $99

2 year mandatory subscription at 14.99/month: $360

Termination fee: $250

The feeling you get knowing that you're screwed either way: Priceless.

Preemptive lol at everyone that (a.) calls this a ripoff or (b.) says it should fail. You're obv not the target audience.

Xbox 360 + Kinect: $99

2 year mandatory subscription at 14.99/month: $300

Termination fee: $250

The feeling you get knowing that you're screwed either way: Priceless.

Gxgear

Pretty much. It's exactly the same concept as expensive smartphones on 3 yr plans. They sell, a lot. However, to many, they can be a waste.

I don't see the savings :?

spending that much on live would be ridic...it's bad enough to pay $50 a year

Preemptive lol at everyone that (a.) calls this a ripoff or (b.) says it should fail. You're obv not the target audience.

TranquilityBlue

Target audience: people who can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time without falling over.

I don't see the savings :?

spending that much on live would be ridic...it's bad enough to pay $50 a year

chikenfriedrice

A bit like finance, and we all complain about the banks taking a huge cut when we buy a $20,000 car and in the end it costs closer to $30,000.... Just another money-hound of an idea that MS fanboys will fall head over heels for if you ask me.JohnF111

Target audience: people who can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time without falling over.

Gxgear

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

A bit like finance, and we all complain about the banks taking a huge cut when we buy a $20,000 car and in the end it costs closer to $30,000.... Just another money-hound of an idea that MS fanboys will fall head over heels for if you ask me.JohnF111

MS fanboys probably already own a 360 so it wouldn't matter to them....but some non owners will be sucked in by this unfortunatley

PNF confirmed this the other day, way before, and people still doubted, ownage of a third kind

What I do find unusual, is releasing this so late in the 360's lifecycle. The reason being, is the 360 is relatively cheap by now (though the Kinect is an added bonus). I see this being a move for next-gen. This idea works, there is no arguing it (especially on more expensive products).

by the way for the people that dont want to do the math its $460 after all is said and done.

WilliamRLBaker

[QUOTE="Gxgear"]

Target audience: people who can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time without falling over.

TranquilityBlue

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

Ummm none of us work for Microsoft so no?

PNF confirmed this the other day, way before, and people still doubted, ownage of a third kind

ForzaGearsFace

[QUOTE="TranquilityBlue"]

[QUOTE="Gxgear"]

Target audience: people who can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time without falling over.

Gxgear

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

Ummm none of us work for Microsoft so no?

[QUOTE="TranquilityBlue"]

[QUOTE="Gxgear"]

Target audience: people who can't walk and chew bubble gum at the same time without falling over.

Gxgear

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

Ummm none of us work for Microsoft so no?

[QUOTE="Gxgear"]

[QUOTE="TranquilityBlue"]

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

JohnF111

Ummm none of us work for Microsoft so no?

To arms men, there's a spy among us!

[QUOTE="Gxgear"]

[QUOTE="TranquilityBlue"]

It's not the greatest deal, but it'll make em $$$ and thats ultimately what this is all about, no?

JohnF111

Ummm none of us work for Microsoft so no?

^ That was pretty funny. :lol:JohnF111

yeah it was...like 10 seconds difference in posting time, same post to the same question... symmetry man
YEAH!!!!!!

Yup.. Time to get a PS3 (Again..).

Xbox with Kinect is $290 on Amazon right now, plus 2 years Gold subscription at $50 per years means you pay an extra $70 this way, not bad I guess although personally I dislike contracts so I'll stick to buying things as normal.bobbetybob

:lol:

Gaming console + contract = FAIL

[QUOTE="bobbetybob"]Xbox with Kinect is $290 on Amazon right now, plus 2 years Gold subscription at $50 per years means you pay an extra $70 this way, not bad I guess although personally I dislike contracts so I'll stick to buying things as normal.WilliamRLBaker

I think he meant the new bundle would be $70 more than the Amazon pricing (460 vs 390).

:lol:

Gaming console + contract = FAIL

MercenaryMafia

In what way? In terms of selling consoles, I don't doubt this will work (especially if they carry this over to the 720).

So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. RR360DD

Exactly. Whilst it's late in the 360 lifecycle, it's a good test for next-gen. I mean, come on, credit has become an incredibly popular way of spending.

I don't know who in their right mind would sign up for something like this, probably a test run for next-gen when MS tries to tie all it's users into long-term contracts. Love the new topic title, 50 pages confirmed. :Pgetyeryayasout

So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. RR360DD

with a car you get a car without any thing taken out, with this you only get arcade games and kinect..... which is not the entire 360 experiance

[QUOTE="RR360DD"]So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. inb4uall

with a car you get a car without any thing taken out, with this you only get arcade games and kinect..... which is not the entire 360 experiance

So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. RR360DD

[QUOTE="RR360DD"]So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. inb4uall

with a car you get a car without any thing taken out, with this you only get arcade games and kinect..... which is not the entire 360 experiance

I don't think it was a direct, parts-for-parts analysis. The concept is largely the same. The games come as extra, as does insurance for cars.

[QUOTE="inb4uall"]

[QUOTE="RR360DD"]So what. When you buy a car on finance, you do not expect to pay the same as you would up front. Its the same idea. This is for people who can only afford $99 and want the xbox now. WilliamRLBaker

with a car you get a car without any thing taken out, with this you only get arcade games and kinect..... which is not the entire 360 experiance