When it comes to the Xbox 360 videogames console, manufacturer Microsoft Corp. has long-since been looking to shift its hardware platform down to what it refers to as the retail pricing ‘sweet spot’ of below $200 USD. Now, according to various reports, that time has finally come.
Microsoft rumoured to be preparing market-leading price shuffle for its Xbox 360. Image: VGChartz.
It may have taken Redmond-based Microsoft close to three years to achieve its aim, but a screen capture originally posted to retail sales aggregator VideoGameChartz suggests that the Xbox 360 -- which was first launched in November of 2005 -- will be reduced to $199.99 USD this coming September 07.
Although Microsoft is yet to issue official comment regarding the pricing rumour, if it bears out and the base model Xbox 360 Arcade does indeed drop below the $200 USD threshold, the Xbox 360 will become the cheapest videogame console of this generation, undercutting the Nintendo Wii by a clear $50 USD.
However, any sub-$200 USD price drop by Microsoft may emerge as a short-lived market advantage that ultimately works in the favour of consumers. Specifically, Nintendo has yet to issue a price drop for its hugely popular Wii console on the basis of it holding the ‘best value’ label since launching in November of 2006. The Japanese titan could well be stung into action in the event of its console losing that value-for-money status.
Similarly, Microsoft’s main industry rival, Sony Corporation, is unlikely to sit back and watch as its PlayStation 3 loses yet more ground as the most expensive hardware option -- which it has been since launching at the tail end of 2006 -- while Microsoft increases the retail pricing gap yet further.
According to reports, Microsoft’s other Xbox 360 hardware options will also drop in price, with the 20GB Pro (a.k.a. Premium) Xbox 360 shifting to $299.99 USD, and the 120GB Elite model falling to $399.99 USD.
It’s worth noting that the rumoured Sept. 07 price drop shares an emergence date with the launch of the Jasper chipset, which, when factored into the Xbox 360 hardware, will purportedly enable Microsoft to produce its videogame console at a significantly lower manufacturing cost.
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