Thursday, September 4th 2008
Xbox 360 Invites Everyone to Play
Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through Rock Band 2 and Lips, star in their own Hollywood classics with You're in the Movies, or have the power to never miss the latest episode of Heroes-all from one device, starting at $199.
That device is Xbox 360, and today Microsoft announced lower retail prices for the gaming and entertainment console in the United States, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service. Beginning September 5, Xbox 360 Arcade retails for the estimated price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99, and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.
Industry Milestone
"We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry."
History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.
Digital Entertainment Powerhouse
Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.
No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as Lips, the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection.
If you're ready to rock and roll, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 let you virtually step into the shoes of your favorite bands. Enjoy family-friendly games such as the big-screen movie-maker You're in the Movies and blockbusters such as Gears of War 2, the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. With Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy-titles such as Braid, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, and UNO.
Hi-Def Movies and TV Shows
Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, it's on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix.
In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor. Download your favorite TV shows such as 30 Rock, The Office, and House, or even get a little old school with episodes of The A-Team. If it's movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.
Source:
Xbox.com
That device is Xbox 360, and today Microsoft announced lower retail prices for the gaming and entertainment console in the United States, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service. Beginning September 5, Xbox 360 Arcade retails for the estimated price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99, and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99.
Industry Milestone
"We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 delivers amazing performance at an extraordinary value with the leading online service and best lineup of games, downloadable movies and TV shows available from a console. The majority of consumers make the decision to buy consoles once the price falls to this mark, making this an important milestone for consumers and the industry."
History shows that more than 75 percent of all console sales happen after the price falls below the $200 mark. For millions of consumers who have been waiting for the perfect time to buy an Xbox 360 console, their moment has finally arrived. At $199, Xbox 360 is the most affordable next-generation console on the market, offering something for everyone with the most dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences available.
Digital Entertainment Powerhouse
Xbox 360 Arcade plus a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership and a Netflix subscription costs $100 less than 12 months of digital cable. Xbox 360 invites everyone into a limitless world where the best games, movies and TV shows can be enjoyed live side-by-side with your personal pictures and music library.
No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, Xbox 360 has something for everyone. Music lovers can play new games such as Lips, the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing along to your own music collection.
If you're ready to rock and roll, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 let you virtually step into the shoes of your favorite bands. Enjoy family-friendly games such as the big-screen movie-maker You're in the Movies and blockbusters such as Gears of War 2, the biggest entertainment event of this holiday season. With Xbox LIVE Arcade, downloadable games are available that the entire family can enjoy-titles such as Braid, Castle Crashers, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, and UNO.
Hi-Def Movies and TV Shows
Whether you want access to streaming movies and TV shows or a library of high-definition content, it's on Xbox 360. Starting this fall, Xbox 360 is the only game console to offer instant streaming of more than 12,000 feature films and television shows from Netflix.
In addition, the Xbox LIVE Video store has more than twice as many hours of high-definition (HD) movies and TV shows than the nearest competitor. Download your favorite TV shows such as 30 Rock, The Office, and House, or even get a little old school with episodes of The A-Team. If it's movies you want, check out the latest blockbusters and the best in family films, cult classics, horror and much more, all available through Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360.
20 Comments on Xbox 360 Invites Everyone to Play
forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=70153&highlight=xbox
The PS3 is finally finding it niche in the market, and very successfully at that. Microsoft needs to find ways to improve their product value of the Xbox 360 so consumers actually see something they want over the PS3 (in terms of future and current use).
For example, recently my parents bought 2 (yes 2) PS3's for their HDTVs, so in other-words, they never play games but just want the HD player and the video rental service. That's pretty crazy to me. They bought a PS3 only for the Blu-Ray player, that's called product value my friends. My grandparents also recently purchased a PS3 precisely for the Blu-Ray player...
In terms of the Wii, it obviously has it's own little product value. You get to hold a shaft and direct things with motion plus. Also you get to dance around on a pad and consider that as exercising.
My two cents.
Back on topic: I think the 360 getting cheaper is great, but I still prefer my PS3. Sure, the entry cost is more, but you get a lot more for your money. MS will make up the difference by charging you monthly fees and gouging you on accessories anyway. I rarely play my 360, because I refuse to give MS money for playing online.