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New price goes into effect Friday

The console wars are heating up again. For a long time it was Nintendo on the low-end with the Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360 took the middle ground and Sony was in the high-end with its Blu-ray packing PS3. With the introduction of the new lower cost PS3 Slim, Microsoft is now ready to slash prices on its console.

There have been rumors and leaked ads pointing to a price cut for the Xbox 360 Elite to bring it to the $299 price currently occupied by the 120GB PS3 Slim and the older 80GB PS3. Microsoft officially announced today that the Xbox 360 Elite would be getting a $100 price cut.

Microsoft also says that the Xbox 360 Pro console will get a price cut to $249.99 until the supplies of the discontinued console run out. The Xbox 360 Arcade will live on at a price of $199.99. Microsoft also reminds shoppers that any Xbox console bought today will be able to work with the cool Project Natal controller-free gaming of the future.

“With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s already time to start looking for entertainment and gifts that everyone will enjoy,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. “If you’re looking for deep experiences that don’t require deep pockets, now is the time to purchase an Xbox 360. We’ve got the best games, a vast library of TV shows and movies, new music experiences, more ways to connect friends and family, and so much more on the horizon including ‘Project Natal’ — no controller required.”

The PS3 Slim offers Blu-ray at the same price as the Xbox 360 Elite, which will help the PS3 look better to some shoppers. However, the Xbox 360 does have the exclusive console streaming agreement with Netflix to offset that advantage and stronger (albeit subscription-based) online multiplayer support.

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Even better...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 8/27/2009 11:45:52 AM , Rating: 5
They should have dropped the Arcade model altogether and priced the 60GB Pro at $199 to pair up with the $299 Elite.

That would have been an effective, swift kick to the groin for Sony.




RE: Even better...
By orgy08 on 8/27/2009 12:17:48 PM , Rating: 4
and Nintendo. I think the Wii will have to come down to $199, but they might not do it till after the holidays if they feel their console will still sell good.


RE: Even better...
By Suntan on 8/27/2009 12:56:44 PM , Rating: 5
Don’t know about that. From the rather informal comments I have heard from a lot of “non-gamers” I would say that a lot of Wii sales go to people that never intend to price compare it with any other console. In short, they are curious to get a Wii, but would never consider getting a 360 or PS3.

If the assumption that the “gamer” market has already gotten their console of choice (or all three of them) then the “non-gamer” market is mostly what’s left. As such, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wii continue to chug along as is.

-Suntan


RE: Even better...
By orgy08 on 8/27/2009 1:46:48 PM , Rating: 5
I agree with you, but at the same time, the non-gamer would look at the PS3 at $299 and the Wii at $249 and could think to themselves, "Well, for only $50 more I can get a blu-ray player that normally cost $200 or $300 anyways"


RE: Even better...
By SPOOFE on 8/27/2009 3:36:35 PM , Rating: 3
Except Blu-Ray sales have indicated very poor demand for Blu-Ray. Wii sales have indicated very high demand for Wii. You're assuming that the same group that would want a Wii would also want a Blu-Ray player while the evidence indicates the exact opposite.


RE: Even better...
By Hiawa23 on 8/27/2009 4:55:17 PM , Rating: 3
I agree with you, but at the same time, the non-gamer would look at the PS3 at $299 and the Wii at $249 and could think to themselves, "Well, for only $50 more I can get a blu-ray player that normally cost $200 or $300 anyways"

honestly, I really don't think a non gamer cares much about Blu ray in a videogame console.


RE: Even better...
By StevoLincolnite on 8/27/2009 9:48:14 PM , Rating: 2
It's not just that Microsoft will also be dropping the HDMI cable out of the revised "Elite" console and instead will be replaced with the Standard/HD composite cables from the Pro.

However I did stumble upon some news that might hint towards a 250gb console SKU coming which might be the new "Elite".

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/amazon-germany-l...

I'm hoping it does come to fruition, I need the HDD space!


RE: Even better...
By EasyC on 8/31/2009 12:43:22 PM , Rating: 2
They are dropping the HDMI cable???....seems like they just got it.

Only 250? Hmmm, I'm running a WD 320GB Black drive in my console...

Oh, we're talking about an XBOX...


RE: Even better...
By phattyboombatty on 8/27/2009 5:12:19 PM , Rating: 2
Most people that I know with a Wii don't even have a HDTV or sound system to take advantage of Blu Ray.


RE: Even better...
By Frank M on 8/27/2009 2:02:57 PM , Rating: 5
Yep, that's me. I game on a PC, the Wii was for guests and such.


RE: Even better...
By chick0n on 8/27/09, Rating: -1
RE: Even better...
By bkslopper on 8/27/2009 3:29:25 PM , Rating: 3
Huh?


RE: Even better...
By amanojaku on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Even better...
By tallcool1 on 8/27/2009 12:52:48 PM , Rating: 4
Did Sony ruin your childhood somehow for such a hateful remark? "swift kick in the groin"

LOL

Maybe MS should get a "swift kick in the groin" for putting out a product with a 30-50% failure rate?

Just a thought... or you going to defend them for that?


RE: Even better...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 8/27/2009 12:55:00 PM , Rating: 3
I actually own a PS3 and Wii. I used to have an Xbox 360 until it RROD'd on me twice. After the second RROD, I promptly sold it once it came back from MS and never looked back :)


RE: Even better...
By quiksilvr on 8/27/2009 1:45:28 PM , Rating: 4
I actually tried to give 360 a chance throughout all these years, but the reasons kept piling up until I completely lost faith in the console.

1) Insane failure rate
2) $50 a year to play online, making the "its cheaper than PS3" argument false after 2-3 years.
3) Ridiculous accessory prices, from the wireless router to the HDD.
4) Proprietary HDD and headset.
5) Cannot save games or transfer games via USB.
6) Ridiculous amount of advertisements for an online service I PAY FOR!
7) No HD DVD or Blu ray on the console.

You could only deal with so much crap until you say f*ck it and switch.


RE: Even better...
By Shadez on 8/27/2009 6:43:07 PM , Rating: 1
Smart choice


RE: Even better...
By straycat74 on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Even better...
By deegee on 8/28/2009 1:42:35 AM , Rating: 2
I've had a 360 Elite for a few years now with no RROD or any other issues. I also have an original XBox. I have no problem recommending them to anyone else.
The lower price on the PS3Slim has made me consider getting one of them though.


RE: Even better...
By tallcool1 on 8/27/2009 12:57:00 PM , Rating: 4
Oh, and BTW, you can THANK Sony for that MS price cut. Because without competition in the marketplace, do you think that would have occured? Maybe it was a coincedence they just happen to drop it after Sony announced the PS3 Slim and its price cut? hmm...

Competition is always a good thing and its best if there is at least two competitors (if not more) for any consumer product. Just like AMD vs Intel. ATI(AMD) vs Nvidia. Etc..


RE: Even better...
By tmouse on 8/27/2009 1:04:01 PM , Rating: 5
That's a circular argument since it was the X-boxes lower price point that helped it reduce the PS3's sales leading to the current PS3 price cut.


RE: Even better...
By tallcool1 on 8/27/2009 2:38:20 PM , Rating: 5
Exactly my point. Its good to have competition in the marketplace. Those wishing Sony or Microsoft to drop off the map, is ridiculous.

Personally I would like to see the MS XBOX succeed since they are an American Company. However as a consumer, I am not going to tolerate a poorly designed or poor reliablity for thier product just for that sake alone. My money then would go elsewhere if I was a consumer in the market for such a product. I also would be certain NOT to recommend a product to a friend or family member if I know it has an exceptionally high failure rate. That's why its nice to have CHOICE.


RE: Even better...
By SPOOFE on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Even better...
By Boze on 8/29/2009 3:47:24 AM , Rating: 2
Speaking of choice in the marketplace, I don't understand why Apple hasn't made their own console. They certainly have the spare cash to do so, and the Apple heads would take it with sh*t-eating grins and a spoon.

I would also think it would be right up Apple's alley. Complete control over the entire product from the software to the service to the hardware? And then they could demand $75 a game instead of $60... at least then it would match their philosophy of ridiculous prices.


RE: Even better...
By Quake on 8/30/2009 7:40:10 PM , Rating: 2
I guess Apple didn't enter the market because it's not profitable.


RE: Even better...
By Suntan on 8/31/2009 11:02:09 AM , Rating: 2
Apple folk are too cool for video games… unless it involves tipping your cell phone back and forth while looking like a complete douche at a coffee shop.

-Suntan


RE: Even better...
By psychobriggsy on 8/27/2009 2:07:44 PM , Rating: 3
Instead their $299 offering looks really quite weak in comparison (no WiFi, no BluRay, external power brick, worries about reliability), and the main draw will be people buying 360s for online social play with their friends that already have them.

$249 for the Elite would have been a better price point.


RE: Even better...
By SPOOFE on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Even better...
By cmdrdredd on 8/27/2009 5:07:28 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
... And more games that often look better. It amazes me how many people still don't get it; you can add features up the wazoo, but if the games aren't perceived to be there, no game system will succeed.


Not necessarily. Generally the games are made on the 360 and ported to Ps3 because developers are lazy assholes who don't give a fuck about making a game that is up to POTENTIAL!

There i got that out of the way. If someone wants to, they can make a game on PS3 that can't be done on the 360. John Carmack alluded to it except said that it's complex to design a game around the PS3. Games have succeeded quite well on the PS3, Metal Gear Solid, Little Big Planet, Street Fighter 4 that actually allows you to use a REAL arcade stick and not some Hori piece of crap(since MS doesn't allow non-licensed hardware to work), Uncharted, and lets not forget games like God of War which will be exclusive. Oh, and what about the little rumor that the reason Final Fantasy 13 is taking so long is because SquareEnix had to figure out a way to make a game designed with blu-Ray in mind (30-60GB per disk) fit and work on the 360 with it's limited 9GB DVDs.


RE: Even better...
By monomer on 8/27/2009 6:28:23 PM , Rating: 2
Well, the developer of Uncharted 2 basically said that there would be know way to make it on the Xbox 360. Basically, his main argument was that the game took 25Gb of space on the BD, and that a Hard Drive is pretty much a neccesity. I'm sure if they were owned by MS instead of Sony, though, they could have gotten over these obstacles.

Link: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/08/unchart...


RE: Even better...
By StevoLincolnite on 8/28/2009 5:19:52 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Oh, and what about the little rumor that the reason Final Fantasy 13 is taking so long is because SquareEnix had to figure out a way to make a game designed with blu-Ray in mind (30-60GB per disk) fit and work on the 360 with it's limited 9GB DVDs.


1) Final Fantasy 13 will be on the Xbox 360.
2) Span the game across Multiple disks.
3) Japan will get Final Fantasy 13 much much much sooner than America/Europe.
4) Use better compression.

There is also Metal Gear Solid: Rising coming to the Xbox 360 in the future as well.


RE: Even better...
By SPOOFE on 8/30/2009 3:55:21 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Generally the games are made on the 360 and ported to Ps3 because developers are lazy assholes

Or maybe it's Sony that's a bunch of lazy assholes? They threw out a wonky architecture, provided lousy developer support, and simply insisted that "everyone will want one", even if they have to work overtime to afford it.

The developers aren't lazy; they're businessmen. And due to Sony's poor choices in console architecture, it's a pain in the ass to develop for Sony's system. It's NOT a pain in the ass to develop for the 360, probably because MS has provided EXCELLENT developer tools.

quote:
If someone wants to, they can make a game on PS3 that can't be done on the 360.

Yeah, but nobody's in the gaming business for shits and giggles; they're in it to make money. And the equation is simple: Less Sony consoles in the wild + Harder development = Why bother?

This is Sony's hubris; they assumed they'd automatically be Number 1, and all their choices in developing their console reflect that. They thought they could trick the market into adopting their video format; didn't work. They thought everyone would be worshipping their Theoretically Powerful/Practically a Dud Cell processor; didn't work. Ego got in the way of good business decisions, and some of us don't want to see it repeated.


RE: Even better...
By Shadez on 8/27/2009 6:48:04 PM , Rating: 1
This argument is not valid anymore. Go check the ps3 exclusives list, including the soon to be released games.
The game has changed.


RE: Even better...
By SPOOFE on 8/30/2009 3:49:16 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Go check the ps3 exclusives list, including the soon to be released games.

Sure, the PS3 exclusives look better than the same game on the 360. Huh?!?

No, the argument is valid; you just don't understand it. If all a given gamer wanted to play was Resistance, MGS4, Uncharted, and God of War, they'd be sitting pretty with a PS3. But there are more games than just the handful of supertitles that Sony is backing; FAR more. And overwhelmingly, when there is any discernable difference between the same game on the two big-graphics consoles, it favors the 360.


RE: Even better...
By lightmessiah on 8/27/2009 8:06:35 PM , Rating: 2
I have to say I have no idea what the big deal is with an external power brick.


Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Where am i ???
By andyEE on 8/27/2009 11:08:23 PM , Rating: 3
The only way you can help anyone is to keep your ignorant comments to yourself.

I read this forum to gain perspective from informed people. Your comment regarding 360 zombies, and the Fox News Channel shows that you are a product of unpopular opinion.

BTW, hows that hope and change working out?


RE: Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/27/09, Rating: 0
RE: Where am i ???
By andyEE on 8/28/2009 12:20:07 AM , Rating: 3
Your login name says it all -> "crazyblackman." lol haha

You are still claiming racism for anything opposed to the socialist agenda. Who is the racist? -> YOU!
There is no racism other than what is invented by people like yourself. Basically, the American people have decided that bankrupting the country is not an option.

BTW, I think you should change your login to "stupidblackman."


RE: Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/28/09, Rating: 0
RE: Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/27/2009 11:09:09 PM , Rating: 3
Hey crazyblackman...dude...chill out.

The 360 has better exclusive games than the PS3. Halo, Halo 2,Halo 3, Halo OSD something or other, Halo Reacharound... Gears of War,Gears of matchmaking War2,Left4Dead-2009,Left4Dead2-2009,Forza,Forza2,Fo rza3(3dvds, and all the DLC Microsoft could afford to pay millions for and then charge us for through Xbox live's ad-assisted, non dedicated server having,foul mouthed, 12yr old rascist filled gaming community.
We get a free cheap assed headset that breaks after weeks of use.
We get scratched minimum storage DVD based games to play in our cheap assed Xbox dvd drives.
We get the option to buy a $9.99 wifi adapter for $100 to your built in one.
We get a 120gb hard drive to your option to exchange your hard drive for a 500gb drive.
We get to buy rechargeable batteries for our controller with the sucky d-pad to your bluetooth enabled rechargeable
one.
We get to watch old movies on Netflix since our HD-DVD idea failed miserably. We also get Facebook and Twitter as if we didn't already have a computer for that, but hey, it beats getting new and exciting games.
W'eve got sissy looking "avatar's to spend real money on and play dress up with. We also have no choice but to look at them unlike you do with your PSN Home. They make our console look silly but we would never tell you that.
We get to turn our speakers up to drown out the noise of our console fan and the sound of us weeping for buying this defective crap and investing so much in it.
Listen dude, the PS3 just doesn't have any games right now that I wanna play.
Paying $50 bucks a year is worth it for what I get from Xbox live cause I get to use crossgame chat instead of just picking up a damn telephone to talk to my friend while we play different games. And all the ads cluttering up the dashboard are worth it.
I don't really care about Bluray. I "like to get up to change game discs".
Dude...get a life...don't you have anything better to do than come here with your flamebait?


RE: Where am i ???
By lightmessiah on 8/27/2009 11:21:22 PM , Rating: 2
I think you care about this a bit too much.


RE: Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/27/2009 11:42:41 PM , Rating: 2
As a consumer...yes..I do. But I also take some enjoyment in it too. This is an american company selling a defective product and knowingly ripping off american people, as a business model for the future of electronics, and you all kept on coming in here defending being ripped off.

Go to Joystiq.com and read the interview with Aaron Greenburg and you will see the arrogance and the intent to continue to rip people off, all the while telling them they are getting a "great value".
So yeah...this was fun.

I'm done.


RE: Where am i ???
By Boze on 8/29/2009 4:02:45 AM , Rating: 2
Nah, you're not done. You'll continue to reply. You'll reply to this post, in fact, because...

I personally love my Xbox 360. I've had two. A launch one which had RROD problems and was repaired and sent back to me, and another one which on which the DVD drive failed and had to be sent back for repair.

I'm waiting to pick up the 250 GB one in the future.

The Xbox 360 offers more value than any other console out right now. I get all the games I'm interested in, I get well integrated multiplayer through Xbox Live, a very good DVD player, easy connectivity with my laptop, desktop, and media server, Netflix access with a clean, well-designed interface, and... I could keep going, however...

For all its flaws, and there are many, the Xbox 360 is still the console I log most of my time on. My Wii sits around unused until my baby sister drives up to see me, until a horde of drunken friends and girlfriends are over, or unless there's a party over here at my place. I've never even seen enough appeal to the PS3 to even buy one... why would anyone, honestly? A Blu-Ray player? There're at Wal-Mart for $98 to $128. Robert Heron & Patrick Norton did a review of it for HD Nation a few weeks back. Games? Which ones? Resistance? Is there even another PS3 exclusive? I can't think of one... that alone should tell you how little attention developers give to the PS3.

Until developers start pushing that console with some really amazing games that blow away the 360 (and the machine does have the ability to do this), its a Big Hairy Deal, and not in a good way, in the way no one really cares about.

As far as I can tell, to date the PS3 is nothing more than a $299 Blu-Ray player that also plays games. I'll purchase one when its a $299 video game console that also plays Blu-Rays, and then sell my Samsung Blu-Ray player.


RE: Where am i ???
By crazyblackman on 8/29/2009 2:45:09 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
For all its flaws, and there are many


I personally love my Xbox 360. I've had TWO.

A launch one which had RROD problems and was repaired and sent back to me, and another one which on which the DVD drive failed and had to be sent back for repair.

I personally love my Xbox 360. I've had THREE.

A launch one which had RROD problems and was repaired and sent back to me, and another one which on which the DVD drive failed and had to be sent back for repair.

I personally love my Xbox 360. I've had FOUR!?

A launch one which had RROD problems and was repaired and sent back to me, and another one which on which the DVD drive failed and had to be sent back for repair.

I personally love my Xbox 360. I've had FIVE!!!!

A launch one which had RROD problems and was repaired and sent back to me, and another one which on which the DVD drive failed and had to be sent back for repair.

You comedians in here...Ok...(LOL)...Ok...(LOL)...(LOL)...I'm done.(LOL)


RE: Where am i ???
By SPOOFE on 8/30/2009 3:58:30 PM , Rating: 2
It leaves one to wonder: If the PS3 had the same failure rate, would people continue buying them just as they did with the 360?


RE: Where am i ???
By EasyC on 8/31/2009 12:52:40 PM , Rating: 2
While I agree with a few of your statements, you'd get a better response from people by HOW you relate them...

I've had a 360 and consequently didn't see any value in many of their exclusive games. Most of them are just FPS...which is exponentially better on a PC than a silly console with a joystick.

And yes, I've had the RROD.... twice.

Try toning down the aggressiveness a smidge. You'd be amazed at how much better people respond.

Disclaimer: I no longer have the 360. I sold it and kept my PS3.


This will be interesting
By theapparition on 8/27/2009 11:45:02 AM , Rating: 1
Xbox has the larger library of games and Live can't even be compared to PS Home in the same breath, even if it costs money, it's worth every penny for the difference.

However, with integrated BR and WiFi, I see Sony finally with a winner on thier hands.

In the end though, I wonder if both consoles haven't reached (or will soon) a market saturation point. Time will tell.




RE: This will be interesting
By dome1234 on 8/27/2009 11:54:40 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Live can't even be compared to PS Home


don't you mean psn? and their game libraries are fairly comparable.


RE: This will be interesting
By dome1234 on 8/27/2009 2:55:17 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Xbox Live (trademarked as Xbox LIVE[1]) is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation.


quote:
PlayStation Home (also marketed and referred to as Home) is a community-based service developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's London and Cambridge studios for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network (PSN).


quote:
PlayStation Network, often abbreviated to PSN, is a free online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service provided by Sony Computer Entertainment for use with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable video game consoles


RE: This will be interesting
By bkslopper on 8/27/2009 3:25:22 PM , Rating: 2
I have no idea why your first post was downgraded to a -1. Nothing about it was false.


RE: This will be interesting
By dome1234 on 8/27/2009 3:53:33 PM , Rating: 2
fanboyz <sigh>


RE: This will be interesting
By SPOOFE on 8/27/2009 4:00:08 PM , Rating: 1
He was being pedantic; it's obvious TheApparition was comparing both console's online offerings, in which case HIS comments were perfectly accurate, as well.


MS must really be losing money on it now
By JDub02 on 8/27/2009 1:51:41 PM , Rating: 2
It's shocking that Microsoft can sell the the Elite for $299, but they charge nearly half that for just the 120gb hard drive that goes in it.

C'mon, Microsoft! The 120gb drive should retail for $50 max. What about those of us who have been onboard since the early days? Oh yah, we're "early adopters". We're supposed to get screwed, right?




RE: MS must really be losing money on it now
By bkslopper on 8/27/2009 3:23:45 PM , Rating: 3
It is a bit perplexing why a company that touts downloading games via Live would make getting a hard drive such a barrier. I know I'm very picky about what I download since all I have is a measly 20GB. Who knows how much more I would've DL'ed by now.


By SPOOFE on 8/27/2009 4:08:51 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It is a bit perplexing why a company that touts downloading games via Live would make getting a hard drive such a barrier.

... And yet it doesn't seem to have hurt 'em; clearly their strategy appeals to somebody. Not necessarily you or I, but somebody.


ad-war
By dome1234 on 8/27/2009 11:50:35 AM , Rating: 4
now they need ads like these from the director of rumour confirmation and vp of enough is enough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL1xTcQwu-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIKZxDirQ-E




"Nowadays you can buy a CPU cheaper than the CPU fan." -- Unnamed AMD executive











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