According to The Verge, Microsoft is planning to launch a Xbox 360 console package, with Kinect, for only $99. The price of the console will be "subsidized" with a locked in, monthly two-year, $15 subscription to Xbox Live. The cheap console could launch as early as next week, according to Verge's unnamed sources.
According to The Verge, the two-year, $15-a-month subscription will include a warranty, and provide access to Xbox Live Gold and perhaps some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers. You'll be able to pick up the bundle at a Microsoft store, should there be one near you.
Reportedly, Microsoft will charge an early termination fee for those who break their contract.
While a $100 Xbox seems like an amazing deal, over-time, the savings will amount to $39 when compared to purchasing a 4GB 360 and paying a cheaper subscription fee for basic Gold membership. The new bundle will cose you $420 in two years, where a "traditional" 360 will set you back $459.
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Illuminate88
lol, you're paying $460 ($100 + 24x$15) for something that at most will cost you $420 ($300 + 2x$60) up front. That's provided you don't purchase a bundled xbox 360 with a few extra games or find the yearly subscriptions cards on sale. Even more, nobody wants the freaking kinect.
DPsx72
This is their best plan now that sales have fallen 50%? Try to charge ignorant people even more? This is nearly as bad as the crippled arcade model which then forced customers to buy an overpriced accessory to make the platform useful. As much as I fault M$, they're merely taking advantage of the stupid. A fool and their money are soon parted, ya know?
I'm glad Sony and Nin sell their consoles with no hassle. They may not be flawless but at least they have some respect for their customers.
Grayslth
So.... pointless, back to pirating all my games as usual.
drewthousand
OK, I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand a low initial output is nice, on the other if you pony up the cash for an Xbox outright, you're much better off.
With the growing casual gamer market, Microsoft needs to stay competitive with the Wii, IOS and Android platforms. Having a low entry fee with monthly payments is the norm for most media devices these days. Microsoft is trying to re-market and existing product, and this is a great way for them to do it.
lucidity
How about buying a chair at a furniture store
Pay cash = pay less
pay over 2 years = pay more
Some places will not charge interest, but guess what? Here comes a $40 administration fee.
stupidken
Pay less now, and more over time.
Or
Pay more now, and less over time.
Anyone who has ever used a credit card, bought a car, bought a house, or went to college (using loans in all 3 cases, which is often the case) will understand this.
Ohhh, now I get why you're all confused. My bad.
dann140
I just did the math and there is no savings as the article says because after the 2 years altogether you would have paid $460. Someone can't do basic math
Cryptomaster420
and any ways now everyone can enjoy quality gaming experience that doesnt lag except if you got a poor connection or server side lag in mw3 but now the PS3 fanboys can try the xbox 360 and convert religions.....uuhhhh i mean fanbases
Mashpotaters
Again with the wrong Xbox 360 on the image. It's the same image from a while ago where the article was about the evolution of the Xbox 360, or something like that. None of the Xbox's on the image are the Xbox that is going to be sold for 99 bucks. Is it really that hard to put a picture of a Slim, and a Kinect up on there.
applebook
PASS. As much as I'd like another 360 just to play a few exclusives (GoW 3), I game online FOR FREE on Steam. Thanks anyway!
jmc8888
Most likely they are *testing* how many people will pay $15 a month for Xbox live. It hits the lower segment, so if THEY agree to pay $15 a month, guess how much they'll eventually want YOU to pay for it.
Probably not until the next console, but this is their test marketing. I bet there are all sort of wall street balance sheet reasons.
bobthebaptist
Very bad deal. If you can't afford a new 360, you shouldn't even be focusing on buying a console.
As some have pointed out, a used 360(if you're into used) would cost a lot less for a better or equal deal and if you really can't afford 300$, don't even bother, you have food to buy and bills to pay(I assume). Hopefully not many people fall into this shady scheme.
dracoraptor
I see a very bad deal for the consumers. G4 might need to say where their prices are coming from as at walmart that current bundle is only $329 and comes with a free game and extra controller. With over a $130 price increase not taking into account the controller or game this is a lose for the consumers.
kev215
That cheaper than onlive gaming system
lucidity
Actually I think there's an easy way to see if the fanboys really thing this is a bad deal:
The following
DPsx72
Liquidswords
Bloodthr0e
scorpian876
will provide a brand new 320GB PS3 + MOVE with 2 year warranty for $130.
They will gladly except $10 a month for 2 years.
Since they won't provide any streaming content the price is reduced from $40 over cost to $20 over cost.
Which of the fanboys will be first to volunteer?
After all, it's such a good deal for MS it must be good for the fanboys.
lucidity
Congrats jjfan1
Compared to
DPsx72
Liquidswords
Bloodthr0e
scorpian876
You are a rocket scientist
Seriously, they can't figure it out.
jjfan1
this deal isn't designed to save money for consumers. this is for the people who really want a 360 but can not afford all of the upfront costs for the system. personally I feel that if you can't afford it, maybe you shouldn't have it. With these types of deals you tend to always pay more over time. While it makes sense to do this with a house and maybe a car, its silly to do this with a video game console.
lucidity
One has to laugh at the ignorance of the fanboys who have flocked to this thread.
I'm still waiting to hear how the fanboys intend to purchase a console for 66% off the regular price, and just pay the remaining 66% off over a 2 year period at no additional expense.
Please tell me how I can buy a $350 PS3 for $100 and just pay the remaining $250 off over 2 years with no added cost. And provide me 2 years of warranty and streaming content as well.
Where can we all find this deal?
Who exactly is the sales person that will say " just give me 33% and I'll get the rest over the next 2 years, no additional costs"?
Maybe Sony should have done this back in 2006. They might not have been the console with the lowest install base.
ZyX2323
There already places with packages that rip you off like this, its called RentACenter. Just plain dumb if you go for this...
scorpian876
LMAO! Really MicroSoft!? Really?! 99.00 for your crappy console and now your going to shaft your customers 15 dollars a month for online play?2 years =360.00.You might as well not drop the price on your console.Wow Micro Soft you play a dirty game gouging your customers just to play online.Play Station 2 did this.Wow,Micro Soft Shafting their naive customers again,how sad!
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