Make Home Page
Add to Favorites
XbitLabs is using Twitter
Windows Live Alerts
Video game retailers are not only glad with the price-cut of Microsoft Xbox 360 game system, but they also expect the demand towards the console to skyrocket in the near future. Still, some remind that at the end it is not about the pricing, but about the experience the particular gamer wants to get.
This week Microsoft again slashed recommended prices of its Xbox 360 game consoles in the European Union – for the second time this year – in order to boost demand towards its systems that have been losing popularity for months now. Xbox 360 Arcade now costs €179/£129, the Xbox 360 Pro 60GB retails for €239/£169, whereas the Xbox 360 Elite 120GB is priced at €299/£239.
“The timing is excellent, and we’ll work closely with Microsoft to give customers all the product and advice they need in the run up to Christmas. This is great news for our customers. With these new price points and the wide variety of mass market and core games in the pipeline, the 360 is appealing to a wider range of customers than ever before,” said Tricia Brennan, managing director of Game UK, in an interview with Gamesindustry.biz web-site.
The price reductions in Europe are not as drastic as those in the USA, therefore there is a question whether consumers actually react on that. Those retailers who aim their forces on gamers who know what they want have a rather clear answer that does not give any preference to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Wii.
“The truth is that they are essentially two different products, with their own particular special features, such as Blu-ray in the case of the PS3. […] For some consumers – perhaps, a parent buying a gift for a child, it may well come down to price – if that’s the only consideration for them, but I’d say most consumers, certainly gamers, know that they are, ultimately, paying for different types of products, both of which will offer them a unique playing experience,” said Jonathan Hayes.
Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around triple-core microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine provides a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games.
