As we reported during E3 last week, Microsoft completely redesigned the Xbox 360 console, changing everything from the shiny finish and the exterior form factor to the inclusion of internal 802.11N wireless capability and an overhauled DVD drive. Since this SKU has replaced the no-longer-in-production Xbox 360 Elite, it will also inherit its price tag of $299.
But wait. In an internal Q&A session at Microsoft, it was revealed that the new $299 Xbox 360 'slim' is not the only SKU Microsoft intends on releasing this year. The truth is there are several new SKU's coming this Fall, both individual and bundled with Kinect.
On the topic of a redesigned 360 occupying the current price point of the Arcade SKU, Microsoft had this to say:
Q: Will you sell a $199 version of the new Xbox 360?
A: We will offer a $199 Xbox 360 this fall.
Note that they do not say specifically that this will be a redesigned Xbox 360 unit, but the fact that the old Xbox 360 design has ceased production should go some way to confirming this. Since Microsoft normalized their multi-SKU strategy into two distinct products last year, namely the fully-loaded Elite ($299) and the no-frills Arcade ($199), one can assume that the cheaper of the two will lack an internal 250GB hard drive and perhaps even lack the in-built wireless N adapter.
On the subject of Kinect-integration and bundling, the Q&A document also stated that Kinect would be available as a stand-alone product and also in bundles with the newly-designed Xbox 360's. Though no specifics were given as to which SKU's would get Kinect bundles, GameStop has already begun offering pre-orders for Kinect bundles both for the Elite - priced at $399 - and for the Arcade - priced at $299.
None of this comes as much of a surprise. With Microsoft's hopes of tapping the casual market with the wow-factor Kinect surely provides, bundling it with the cheaper of the two SKU's makes complete sense. Additionally, including the Kinect unit for $100 more would only make sense if Kinect on its own will sell for more, perhaps closer to the $140 mark that we have heard previously.
What is interesting is the timing of this news. There certainly were a lot of pre orders for the new Xbox 360 Elite immediately after it was announced at E3. So much so that is already sold out in many locations. The promise of a cheaper version a few months down the line would certainly curb the sales numbers of the Elite a little. In either case, it looks like Microsoft was on the right track by focusing on a console redesign. Ive yet to talk to any existing Xbox owner that isn't at least considering buying the new one. I know I'm getting one, I just don't know when. All I know for certain is that the drawbacks of owning the Arcade model negate all the reasons I play my 360.
Ranters, are you planning on picking up the new 360? If you are, are you now considering holding off until you can buy a Kinect bundle? And how many of you will go with the Arcade unit versus the Elite? Is the drop in functionality worth the discount?
Source: Kotaku