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[Arsenal]

Three??

So I need to get Uno, Geometry Wars, and...?

Galaga!

Of course, SF2 should be considered as well but that will be a little more expensive.

 

[Mrbob]

This almost makes perfect sense. I'm sure MS doesn't want to budge on the $399.99 pricepoint until they get to the 65nm process which happens in early 2007. But they need to sweeten the deal so a little so a limited bundle running through Christmas is a good choice. MS should let you choose a first party game though instead of forcing someone to take PGR3.

 

[demi]

Hmmm if this is true, I might have to hold off until then

 

[MbGCaM]

That's probably 800 points though (if not 1200).

I thought it was confirmed that it would be 400 points... :/

 

[DenogginizerOS]

The excuse I needed to finally justify this purchase....now, should I put it on my wine cooler or my subwoofer?

Whichever you choose, be sure to plug it into a surge protector plugged into an extension cord. This will unlock the 3 red rings feature on your new X360. :lol

 

[heavy liquid]

If true, this is going to make for a nice bundle heading into the fall when the other systems are closing in on their release. More value for the same money, and probably not effecting MS as all on the bottome line.

Yeah, it's peanuts really.

Yeah, it's pretty smart of MS... rather than a price drop, include some decent incentives for people to make the purchase.

 

[meltpotato]

This almost makes perfect sense. I'm sure MS doesn't want to budge on the $399.99 pricepoint until they get to the 65nm process which happens in early 2007. But they need to sweeten the deal so a little so a limited bundle running through Christmas is a good choice. MS should let you choose a first party game though instead of forcing someone to take PGR3.

i'd imagine PGR3 has the strongest online community of the first-party titles hence the choice. This is obviously a push to pick up more customers but its clearly two-pronged; they wish to build interest in the Live offering.

 

[Ranger X]

Yeah. I'm surprised a lot of people are asking if it's the tard pack. MS would be mega retarded to offer this with the core pack.

Could be the tard pack because PGR, the points and Gold Live are still incentives that maybe MS think are good enough.

Personally i doubt it's the premium because Microsoft wouldn't be cheap for a change --- it's impossible :lol

 

[worldrunover]

Hmm... this is not a bad deal at all. Is this going to be the package when Christmas time rolls around, or is this just a temporary thing? I can see myself getting one in October, but not August.

 

[StoOgE]

That's probably 800 points though (if not 1200).

yeah, its either 3 400 points games or Street Fighter. :lol

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

i'd imagine PGR3 has the strongest online community of the first-party titles hence the choice. This is obviously a push to pick up more customers but its clearly two-pronged; they wish to build interest in the Live offering.

Yep. With the hope that after three months on Live Gold, those users will re-up their subscription and MS will make back the money that they may have lost by adding these items to the bundle.

 

[Lord Error]

Does that mean price drop for the regular premium console? It would make no sense for both to have same price.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I think a price drop would serve MS better this fall than a bundle at the current price. Not everyone wants a racing game bundled in.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Does that mean price drop for the regular premium console? It would make no sense for both to have same price.

Um...this would BE the Premium Pack. What exists right now wouldn't continue to exist. Core at $299, Premium at $399, with just more incentive to move up to the Premium.

 

[MbGCaM]

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=020253

Wohoo...

 

[StoOgE]

Does that mean price drop for the regular premium console? It would make no sense for both to have same price.

Im guessing this WILL be the premium bundle. To a consumer this is a great value, to MS this might cost them 10-15 bucks. While an actual price drop of 100 bucks (the price of this stuff at retail, roughly) would cost them the full 100,.

 

[meltpotato]

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=020253

Wohoo...

great find... premium confirmed

EDIT: uh... thats just the premium pack... no bundle (in description)

 

[MbGCaM]

great find... premium confirmed

Mmmm... Does Gamestop call Premium System -> Pro? :S

 

[thorns]

How is a price drop better for MS ?
the cost of PGR3, 1250 Points Card & 3 Month Live Gold is basically $0 for them.
They might even make some money back from the car packs for PGR3

PGR3 is a great game too.

 

[ZeoVGM]

Mmmm... Does Gamestop call Premium System -> Pro? :S

yes. that isnt this pgr bundle

 

[Ranger X]

May not be the same, i don't see any games, points or Gold Live mentionned.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

May not be the same, i don't see any games, points or Gold Live mentionned.

Yeah, I kind of wondered what the excitement was over that page.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Um...this would BE the Premium Pack. What exists right now wouldn't continue to exist. Core at $299, Premium at $399, with just more incentive to move up to the Premium.

I'm not sure if this is just a promotion or permanent. I wouldn't assume it's permanent quite yet.

 

[kaching]

they would lose all the sales from people like myself.. those of us with eyes and the ability to read.

If it were just a core system along with everything else, you mean? Perhaps, but then maybe a package that offers more actual game content than the premium pack does out of the box would carry more value to some people, even at the same price.

 

[MbGCaM]

yes. that isnt this pgr bundle

Ok, sorry then :$

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I'm being told this does indeed replace the premium pack from now on.

Kits will be sent out to retailers to make in house merchandise conform.

 

[wasting]

Mmmm... Does Gamestop call Premium System -> Pro? :S

Alot of stores do, I remember seeing in the Best Buy ad where it had the premium named Xbox 360 Pro

 

[GhaleonEB]

How is a price drop better for MS ?
the cost of PGR3, 1250 Points Card & 3 Month Live Gold is basically $0 for them.
They might even make some money back from the car packs for PGR3

PGR3 is a great game too.

1) Not everyone wants PGR3. Costco has a good PGR bundle with the 360, but I skipped it because I don't want a racing game.
2) Price is a barrier for a lot of people. I think most would find a lower cost premium system better, freeing them to buy the game of their choice.

I'm being told this does indeed replace the premium pack from now on.

Kits will be sent out to retailers to make in house merchandise conform.

Can you give us some idea where this is coming from? You're getting mysterious updates from...space?

 

[Arsenal]

I think a price drop would serve MS better this fall than a bundle at the current price. Not everyone wants a racing game bundled in.

This is true, but I don't think we will see MS being too agressive until next year. Thats going to be when they can really start making the manufacturing savings to justify it and be able to pressure Sony at the same time. This bundle costs them literally a couple dollars extra to offer and I've always felt they would be smart to offer some additional XBL incentives to get people hooked on the service. A price cut of say $50 would probably cost them over $100 million by the end of the year alone, let alone over the life of the console.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Can you give us some idea where this is coming from? You're getting mysterious updates from...space?

Yeah, space....No...wait - read the original post.

 

[meltpotato]

If it were just a core system along with everything else, you mean? Perhaps, but then maybe a package that offers more actual game content than the premium pack does out of the box would carry more value to some people, even at the same price.

this SKU is clearly intended to promote online play. w/o the HDD it would lose the majority of its value. I'm sure there would be some jackasses who would bite, but it would certainly not be the most effective SKU for MS.

 

[thorns]

1) Not everyone wants PGR3. Costco has a good PGR bundle with the 360, but I skipped it because I don't want a racing game.
2) Price is a barrier for a lot of people. I think most would find a $299 premium system better, freeing them to buy the game of their choice.


Can you give us some idea where this is coming from? You're getting mysterious updates from...space?

Well a $299 premium with 2 million sales would cost them $200 million+, instead of what this costs. I would think they have better uses for that $200 milllion for now..

 

[firefoxsux]

Xbox have many bundles. who cares?

Ms said ps3 gave them a price drop. Bundles of moore's love ftw.

 

[Wollan]

So the new premium packages will include those bonuses + the original stuff?

 

[ZeoVGM]

not to change the topic, but quick 360 question i dont think deserves a thread

the intercooler: should i trade it in? it's fairly loud, but if it actually helps, i'll keep it.

i heard ms was going to be putting out a better 360 later this year too, with more/bettre fans or something too so..

 

[Dr_Cogent]

So the new premium packages will include those bonuses + the original stuff?

Basically

 

[Fuzzy]

Could be the tard pack because PGR, the points and Gold Live are still incentives that maybe MS think are good enough.

Personally i doubt it's the premium because Microsoft wouldn't be cheap for a change --- it's impossible :lol

The reason it's surely the premium pack is that the stuff that's being bundled is less than $100 separately.

PGR3 - $50
Points - $25 (for 1600)
3 months XBL - $20

 

[duk]

snatchez requested I post this news here:

The Xbox has been discontinued by Microsoft. I assume they mean the hardware is no longer being manufactured. I also am assuming this isn't old news.

Also, there is a Xbox 360 Pro Bundle coming out that will include the system, PGR3, 1250 Points Card & 3 Month Live Gold for $399. It is supposedly going to be available the week of August 1st.

who is snatchez and any proof of this pls?

 

[meltpotato]

Bundles of moore's love ftw.

PHOTOSHOP! NOW!!!

 

[goldenpp72]

They should do two of them, include kameo in one, and pgr3 in the other, kinda diversify the options.

Oh well, nice deal still

 

[Dr_Cogent]

who is snatchez and any proof of this pls?

A poster here who cannot post at the time and felt that this news needed to be broken on GAF.

There is no proof.

I'm not going to respond to any more of these types of inquiries either. If you can't read the thread, oh well.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Yeah, space....No...wait - read the original post.

I did. snachez or whoever does not mean anything to me (and I was ribbing you a bit in my previous post )

Who is he? Why can't he post it? I trust you quite a bit from your post history, but please understand - we get TONS of rumors rolling through here and a pretty small percentage pan out. I've got my skeptic hat on.

Edit: Just read your post above. Skeptic hat firmly on.

 

[pollo]

Time to buy baby

 

[mankey wrench]

couldn't they at least include a real hd game :/

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I did. snachez or whoever does not mean anything to me (and I was ribbing you a bit in my previous post )

Who is he? Why can't he post it? I trust you quite a bit from your post history, but please understand - we get TONS of rumors rolling through here and a pretty small percentage pan out. I've got my skeptic hat on.

Edit: Just read your post above. Skeptic had firmly on.

For now, like I said, treat it as a rumor. I have no problems with that. At this point, it's a rumor to me too. I am from the show me don't tell me crowd. I only did this as a favor.

I don't, however, see why he would lie about it. He does work for a large distributor as well as I can tell from what I have seen, so I have no reason not to believe him. I like to see things than hear them though. Things can change. There is no harm in disbelieving this or believing it. Go with what feels right.

 

[meltpotato]

not to change the topic, but quick 360 question i dont think deserves a thread

the intercooler: should i trade it in? it's fairly loud, but if it actually helps, i'll keep it.

i heard ms was going to be putting out a better 360 later this year too, with more/bettre fans or something too so..

cant answer the intercooler question, but 65nm model likely in Q1 07

couldn't they at least include a real hd game :/

this troll again?! :lol :lol :lol

 

[Kolgar]

1) Not everyone wants PGR3. Costco has a good PGR bundle with the 360, but I skipped it because I don't want a racing game.
2) Price is a barrier for a lot of people. I think most would find a lower cost premium system better, freeing them to buy the game of their choice.

Agreed, a price cut would probably be more attractive to more people. But a package like this will push a lot of fence-sitters into the "buy" category on August 1.

It's an interesting idea that's attractive to MS as well as consumers, and you know that MS is going to look very hard at the results. If successful, they can run it the rest of the year, or make an adjustment here and there such as changing out PGR3 for something else. If the reception is lukewarm, they can reconsider a price drop.

In any case, good to see them tinkering. It's a sign they're not going to rest on their laurels and plan to give Sony as good a run as they can.

 

[robo_robo]

I was just about to go off to get one, glad you posted this. I'll just wait until Dead Rising comes out.

 

[gofreak]

I did. snachez or whoever does not mean anything to me (and I was ribbing you a bit in my previous post )

Who is he? Why can't he post it? I trust you quite a bit from your post history, but please understand - we get TONS of rumors rolling through here and a pretty small percentage pan out. I've got my skeptic hat on.

"From the maker of 'Oblivion on PS3/PSP' and 'FEAR on 360'"

You don't remember snatches? :'( Well, snatches remembers GAF. Bless him.

 

[kaching]

this SKU is clearly intended to promote online play. w/o the HDD it would lose the majority of its value.

That doesn't make sense - if the primary goal of this package is to promote online play, you don't need *any* kind of storage for that. You just need the 360, an XBL Gold account, a game and a net connection.