Xbox 360 to launch in Europe on November 25th - UK sources

By Games Industry.biz Published 5 August, 2005

At £299, say our spies.

Highly-placed UK sources have revealed that the Xbox 360 is set to launch in Europe on November 25th, with the US launch preceding a few days earlier - and the price tag may be as high as UKP 299.

Under conditions of strict anonymity, several key sources in the UK games industry confirmed that the official announcement of the European date will be made by Microsoft to its trade partners on the 15th of this month, two days before a public announcement at Game Convention in Leipzig.

While they were confident of the dates being mooted, the price of the system remains less certain - with our sources indicating that Microsoft itself may not have made up its mind on the matter as yet.

"The original plan was UKP 249, but now that Sony is talking about the PS3 being expensive, UKP 299 is looking more likely," according to one source - although it was admitted that this pricing is a "best guess" based on information from Microsoft, not an official figure by any means.

Even allowing for the higher tax rates here in Europe, a UKP 299 price point would directly translate to $500 (including tax) in the US, which is significantly higher than is currently anticipated by most market watchers - among whom the general consensus is that the system will launch at $300, suggesting a UK price point of under UKP 200.

One area of pricing which our independent sources were more certain of was the pricing of software, with a number of Xbox 360 titles likely to hit shelves at around UKP 44.99 - a price premium over current generation software which Microsoft is said to be unhappy with, but which has been driven by demands from third party publishers.

Microsoft this afternoon declined to comment on the reports, saying simply that "we have nothing to announce at this time."

Check back soon for the official announcement.

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Comments (108) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Jokerr #1 7 years ago

    Ha Ha

  • apolloscollapse #2 7 years ago

    Thats alot of money...

  • gaijin #3 7 years ago

    w00...

    ... hmm, £299.

    /curbs his enthusiasm

  • #4 7 years ago

    Hehe!

    Are you sure you didn't make this story up!?

    £249.99 is the RRP! The fact that SONY are continuing to mug people off and are making no bones to hide the fact, will have no bearing on the final Xbox 360 price! :)

  • Mike69_2004 #5 7 years ago

    this is a standard price for nxt gen console so it seems right. i expect PS3 to be more expensive especially with all the talk from sony's president :/

  • ralphwolfenstein #6 7 years ago

    this is a standard price for nxt gen console so it seems right

    Dreamcast? :p

    And I still say it'll be £199...

  • Tiiti #7 7 years ago

    No-one bought one for £299 last time, what makes them think this time will be any different?

    Perhaps the fact that they had a 0 installed base before? With a 20+ million installed base now I expect they will shift a few more than last time.

    £249 would be great tho :)

  • Mike69_2004 #8 7 years ago

    if anything the minimum the price will be no less that £250.

  • Johnson #9 7 years ago

    So, farewell then, Microsoft's chances in the next generation war.

    What are they thinking? "Yes, our machine is inferior to the PS3; yes, we're still going to sell it at the same price; yes, they have BluRay and we've got technology from 1997; yes, we're bumping up the RRP of games but we're going to be 3 months ahead of Sony! That's going to make up for everything!"

  • Toofeh #10 7 years ago

    "No-one bought one for £299 last time, what makes them think this time will be any different? Stop being so bloody stupid and release it for £199."

    'Stupid' would be buying the Nintendo 'revolution' at that price, actually, no just buying it.

  • Vin #11 7 years ago

    Guaranteed £250 or less.

    Mark this post.

  • Sid-Nice #12 7 years ago

    That'll be $532 or €430. Thank God the games are going to be cheap £49.99. \o/\o/\o/ For import.

  • alpha-0ne #13 7 years ago

    i expected 299 we always get ripped off in the uk, to put things in perspective the current generation NVIDIA 7800 is £399, just for a graphics card a full multi processor system for 299 isnt that bad

    if you want something on launch be prepared to pay for it... ill be buying along with PGR3, Ghost Recon 3

    and those who expect the ps3 to launch 3 months later outside of japan are kidding themselves
    Edited by 1 at 05/08/05 @ 17:48

  • captain-future #14 7 years ago

    UKP = U.K. Pound? or something else? because I only know GBP...

    /stops nit-picking.

    399 EUR so then - just what I expected... so Sony's evil plans worked and they tricked MS in raising the price bar higher and then crush them by selling PS3 at the same price ;-)

  • #15 7 years ago

    alpha is correct , i admit £300 isnt pocket money but we are talking about a high end peice of kit here and £299 has been the standard for a while now bar the dreamcast but that was a looooong time ago now.

  • Syrette #16 7 years ago

    i'll wait for the official word before commenting on the price.

  • onyxbox #17 7 years ago

    I'm not buying it at that price, I've been there too often... spent loads of money and then realise there's nothing that interesting to play on the 'new box'.

    I'll wait until it's sub £200 (probably when PS3 launches) before I consider one of these. In the meantime the PS2 and XBox will suffice for some time wasting.

  • caligari #18 7 years ago

    Maybe Tescos will do a two for one

  • IronGiant #19 7 years ago

    I think it will launch here at £299.. wait 6 months then it will be £199 and the games will be cheaper too!!

  • admir #20 7 years ago

    i expect that the xbox 360 will cost 400 - 500 dollars untill the ps3 comes out and the price will go down 100$
    still not a bad price they are trying to make some money this time
    but the fact is sony has sold millions of psx so they will have a hard time slling it most people will wait till all 3 next gen consoles come out thats what iam going to do dont wanna wast my money 600 is my limit for the next gen
    P.S.
    balor is a fucking fanboy which is really stupid its not like u make any money every time a xbox sells dude get a fucking life u make no point

  • Sid-Nice #21 7 years ago

    I think it will launch here at £299.. wait 6 months then it will be £199 and the games will be cheaper too!!

    No, 2 months is the norm for an Xbox reduction, I reckon 2 weeks before Christmas the price will be £199.99. Even though Microsoft will claim record sales and warning the public not to panic over shortages. :)

  • Tyronne #22 7 years ago

    £45 quid a game ! quess which orifice that can be shoved up.

  • IronGiant #23 7 years ago

    Oh yeah, they can take £45+ games and ram them right up there! That goes for any console.

    Yup Sid, you're probably right.. MS will bleat on about how they just can't possibly satify demand then drop the price a few months after launch, just like last time. I waited and got my XBox for £99, i'll do the same this time too.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 01:45

  • HarryB #24 7 years ago

    just compare the specs to a pc, now shut up

  • potatoes #25 7 years ago

    well, i hope this isnt the case, because i cant be spending £300 (before games/extra controller/RGB cable) on a console without a severe beating from the wife...

    there is just no explaining that sort of outlay on a personal entertainment device.

  • Jokerr #26 7 years ago

    "quite sad the fanboys have to come on and say 'ha ha' to rumours. "

    I'm just laughing at all those xbox fanboys who said that M$ loves us Europeans while Sony are trying to screw us all the time. Looks like M$ wants to screw us as well, even though the EU contributes more to M$'s profits in software sales than the US. Thanks a lot M$!

    Edited by 2 at 06/08/05 @ 08:59

  • kaosridder #27 7 years ago

    well johnson in my mind the 360 is on par with the ps3. At least. Thats what I gather from reading various techsites.
    And jokerr. No need to get riled up. You know precisely dick about the price. So do I. Its all rumours.
    As to the price. I dont believe the 299. That would be just plain stupid and seriously hinder them winning this round. And they should know. Last time showed them, installed fanbase or not. And I dont believe that MS really care about Sonys pricetalk.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 08:57

  • drumbaby #28 7 years ago

    Oh, they do....

  • Aurifex. #29 7 years ago

    There is no way i am paying £300, i did the last time and felt a right mug when the price dropped. Its the same old tactics. And if the games are £45 then they can stuff it where the sun don't shine. Just look at the history of the the first PSX. They dropped the price, changed the spec etc, then done the exact same for the PS2. Microsoft did the same. So just wait till later on as it will drop in price. People seem to have less money these days and the big boys should remember this.

  • Hurleybird #30 7 years ago

    I'll buy one immediately at £199 at £249 I'll consider it but probably wait at £299 forget it, I'll wait...

  • #31 7 years ago

    What was all that talk about not screwing Europe and not repeating the debacle of the original Xbox at US$299 / UK£299?

    At that price, talk about squandering your lead and time advantage...

    "The original plan was UKP 249, but now that Sony is talking about the PS3 being expensive, UKP 299 is looking more likely," according to one source

    What a bunch of suckers. Methinks SCE Japan are playing mind games. I doubt the PS3 will cost more than US$350.

    And the PSP debacle itself shows that at least even Sony aren't doing pound for dollar conversion rates. £180 for PSP is not right (compared to $249) but at least SCE Europe are acknowledging some semblance of exchange rates.

  • Ihya #32 7 years ago

    They did it before, now with an installed base there is more of a chance to get away with it this time... Why not try again?

    Going from Xbox to 360 is less of an upgrade than going from ps2 to ps3 so I'll pass thanks.

  • Eighthours #33 7 years ago

    It categorically won't be £299. Microsoft's head honchos are on record as saying that they won't make the same pricing mistakes in Europe as last time.

    £199 is still my prediction. Game price prediction's probably right though.

  • Vin #34 7 years ago

    "Going from Xbox to 360 is less of an upgrade than going from ps2 to ps3 so I'll pass thanks."

    Mate, it's that sort of attitude that leads to waterlogged floors and frustrated mothers.


  • theweaze #35 7 years ago

    just wait untill halo 3 comes out then buy one and i gaurantee it will be at least hundred pound cheaper than launch. problem solved

  • davyuk #36 7 years ago

    Why would a next-gen console be cheaper than this gen? £299 seems perfectly reasonable to me. Jeez, I just paid £950 for a laptop and it only has a 3GHz cpu with an ATI X300. And my Mac Mini was knocking on £500 with the custom spec I ordered.

    £299? Bargain. And I'll still be able to save a few quid, for PS3 whether it be more or the same price.

  • Nige #37 7 years ago

    Forgive the lengthy post, but there's some interesting things to consider here.

    MS aren't stupid - they know they have to make up as much ground against Sony in the time they have. They know that better hardware doesn't convince people to part with extra cash, and they learned the hard way. £299 would be daft.

    It's Sony who are in a bind this time. Can they afford to release a BluRay player for £199? Only if nobody else is planning on coming to market with a stand-alone player. If they do hit that price point on PS3, they've eroded the consumer stand-alone market before it's even started. Very silly if you're trying to sell the industry a standard:

    "Here large companies, re-tool all your factories to support our expensive new player format... oh, and by the way, we've already set expectation of a retail price point of £199, so you'll have to come in under that if you want to compete with us".

    There is another knock-on effect. At £199 MANY people will adopt the PS3 with the intention of using it soley to play movies. As everyone knows, that's going to hurt. The console is sold at a loss with the intention of recovering the difference on game sales. To offset that loss they already know how many games they need each person to buy - let's say 7. If you don't buy 7 games for your PS3 or 360 you are essentially a bad customer.

    But looking a bit deeper, we also need to consider that Sony owns the BluRay standard. So essentially any movie sold also lines their pockets; but to what degree? Movies sell for less than games - but then people tend to buy more movies. But how soon after the launch of a new standard before there's enough of a market in next gen movies? We also need to take into account the penetration of Hi-Def TV's - so far, this isn't exceptionally high anywhere, but even less-so in Europe.

    Sony are essentially betting the farm on Hi-Def. They're in a critical position. They make the Television, they make the players, they own the recording medium and the movie studios. Now how loyal to Sony are you?

    Will you spend £300 on a console? Maybe.
    Will you spend £45 quid on a game? Sure
    £20 quid on a movie? Probably
    And now the key component. £1000 on a television? (Sure other people make them, but we know Sony's are about the best).

    For this reason, I think avoiding next gen movie playback for the time being could well be a stroke of genius... it means every adopter of your hardware can, and ONLY has to buy your games in order for you to make a profit.

    Thanks for reading.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 12:09

  • Ihya #38 7 years ago

    Nice post Nige

    Vin I don't understand your humour, if it was humour. Even if the ps3 and 360 are level pegging (It's a battle of +/- on many things, but listening to opinions I respect ps3 has a slight edge) there is more incentive to get a ps3 for me as my ps2 games are starting to look dog ugly, wheras things like Oddworld Stranger looks damn pretty to me still. It depends on how quickly the games dry up on current platforms of course, and if my video card needs the money instead. If I'm sinking £300 into gaming, I generally upgrade the oldest item showing it's age that still gives me fun and that would be the ps2 right now.
    Edited by 2 at 06/08/05 @ 12:36

  • darkmistx #39 7 years ago

    It's a risky strategy, but don't assume that Hi-Def TV's will always be too expensive for most people. It's like LCD monitors. At first they were too expensive for most people so most people just stuck with the old CRT monitors, but as more people bought them they quickly came down in price. Few peple are going to buy a Hi-Def tv at £1000 but they will at £300-£400.

    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 12:47

  • Nige #40 7 years ago

    Agreed, I don't assume that the technology won't come down in price - I'm just wondering if it will be in the life time of this forthcoming generation.

    For a start there's a format war to be fought yet, BluRay vs HD-DVD - history and common sense dictates that only one can survive. With the exception of CD, Sony's track record in this department isn't great.

    Edit: Fortune doesn't always favour the technically superior... PS2 vs Xbox, Beta vs VHS, CD vs DAT/Minidisc, x86 vs PowerPC - there's probably a few I've forgotted :)

    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 12:55

  • Yaz #41 7 years ago

    "What was all that talk about not screwing Europe and not repeating the debacle of the original Xbox at US$299 / UK£299?"

    And what happened to waiting for confirmation before acting as if rumour were fact?

    *Waits for the inevitable PS3 £399 rumours*

  • tengu #42 7 years ago

    299 quid? Rip off!

  • AssassiN Verified Owner/Editor, Computers N Stuff #43 7 years ago

    People are saying they wouldn't pay £45 for a game-if you had gotten an XBOX on launch you'd have probably noted that certain games were £45 then (I'm looking at you Halo) but the price VERY VERY quickly dropped to a more reasonable £40.

  • Nige #44 7 years ago

    LOL @ Money grabbing...

    Go an buy a dual core AMD or Intel chip right now - see how much change from £299 YOU get.

  • Pirotic #45 7 years ago

    heh, is this when they tell devs to tell journos it'll be 299, so that when they release it for 249.99 everybody thinks "well thats not too bad".

  • Mike69_2004 #46 7 years ago

    the funny thing about this place is that people are complaining but i guarantee you that this will be norm for next gen consoles. i still think it will be less thant £299 but everyone saying they can shove it up their *** etc. will be in for a shock when they want to buy a revolution or ps3 ;)

  • tengu #47 7 years ago

    What shock is that then? They'll probably be the same price.

  • Mike69_2004 #48 7 years ago

    exactly tengu. thats the shock. people think MS are ripping them off when thats just standard

  • darkmistx #49 7 years ago

    "the PS3 will most likely be around £500 and as games come on blu ray you're talking £50. "

    I highly doubt that. They'd effectively be handing over the console market to MS and Nintendo if they were to charge that much.

  • Vin #50 7 years ago

    "I highly doubt that. They'd effectively be handing over the console market to MS and Nintendo if they were to charge that much."

    We can all dream, eh?

  • drumbaby #51 7 years ago

    Reasonable price.

    I paid £314 for a PS1, Alien Trilogy and a memory card, and that was back in 1996...and actually considered a good price.

    With that in mind, what's so expensive about £299 for a console, plus another £40-odd for a game, in 2005/6?

  • savant #52 7 years ago

    299 quid is too much. I paid that for the original Xbox (the only time I've ever paid full whack for a console) and I said I'd never do it again. Still, at least MS gave me two games, a DVD remote and another controller when the RRP was reduced a hundred quid.

    Microsoft should, of course, honour their previous statements about doing the right thing in Europe and price the console relative to its US launch price. That means if the console goes for 299 USD then it should be 199 GBP. They should also realise that there's a big difference in perception between 199 and 250.

    Also, I believe some of the initial batch of Xbox games were 45 GBP, but they were almost immediately discounted by most retailers to a more sensible (but still steep) 39.95.

    I'm eager to hear the official announcement, as I'm looking forward to the console, but if there's bad news on the pricing front, I'll be waiting another year until the PS3 comes out (along with the requisite drop in price for the 360), before plonking down my cash.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 17:14

  • jeff #53 7 years ago

    Back in sept 1995,on launch day i bought a playstation,ridge racer,wipeout,battle arena toshinden,a memory card and an extra controller for just under £500.

    Time to start saving......

  • Captain-nippon #54 7 years ago

    ladies and gents, please let me be the first to say the X box 360 is DOOM.

    Who the fuck in their crazy mind would pay $ 500 USD for a box can't even play the next gen of HD.

  • Mike69_2004 #55 7 years ago

    " ladies and gents, please let me be the first to say the X box 360 is DOOM.

    Who the fuck in their crazy mind would pay $ 500 USD for a box can't even play the next gen of HD."

    erm.. if its £299 in europe then it will be $299 in US

  • PinkSpider #56 7 years ago

    300 quid for a console of that spec seems fair, granted I wont be getting one till its under 150 quid but it does seem fair.

    I remember buying my PS1 a few months after launch with a bunch of shit games for 250 quid!
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 19:35

  • #57 7 years ago

    OK, why do people think £299 (if is true) is a "fair" price for the 360?

    What is their definition of "fair"?

    What is US$299 (again not confirmed but likely) in UK exchange rates?!? Why isn't US$299 fair enough for us?

    People are more price-conscious and net-savvy now than ever before and news travels fast: even casual consumers will know when a product is priced $299 in the US but £299 or even £250 here. Games consoles are big business: if there's a price discrepancy between one region and the UK it'll be all over the newspapers.

  • ProfessorLesser #58 7 years ago

    /yawns loudly

    Oh, another X360 comments thread?

    /scans

    /dozes

  • The-Bodybuilder #59 7 years ago

    If the x360 is gonna be £299, fine. But MS better make sure they charge $499 for the americans.

    That's what it all omes down to, whether we get bumped just because we use the pound.

  • admir #60 7 years ago

    lets be honest here the 360 it will powerful but thats about it its like buying a new video card i still dont no if iam going to buy it, they give me no good reasone
    i would pay 500$ for it but i rather buy the new video card for 600$ which would be buying like the 360

    well on the other side sony is trying new things umd i think they are great, and the use of a psp and eye toy on your ps3 will be great if sony supports it

    and nobody knows how much the ps3 is going to cost wait till the x360 comes out then we will know
    lets be clear here price dont matter if you have a job and save money, most people who complain about it live with their fucking parents and dont have a job (all fucking fanboys) i dont care how much ps3 i going to cost or the xbox 360 we knew it for years that they will make next gen and all you fuckers (mostly fanboys) had planty of time to safe money or at least the money that mom and dad gives you you could have put it in your piggy bank
    P.S. start talking abot smething else this is getting boring How much is it going to cost and what console can do and what they cant do and why are you guys fan boys anyway
    Edited by 2 at 07/08/05 @ 00:05

  • Captain-nippon #61 7 years ago

    lavalant, you're as dump and stupid as ever. it's not wonder why your posts is full of shit and explain why you're a simple minded fool.

    PS 3 is the ultimate Nex Gen Console. Everything about the PS 3 is superior to the X360, from design to power. it even support blu ray right out of the package.

    MS want you to pay $299 euro that can't do half the stuff that PS 3 could do...Oh and if you want to buy a X360 that support HD DVD, you have to buy another X360 but quess what it would be at $299 euro, that price is served for the inferior x360, with a HD DVD drive a x360 would probably be at $399 euro....


    At $399 euro with HD DVD, does that justifie the x360, HELL NOOOOOOOOOOO.


    There's some stupid people working at MS, it's no wonder why no one brought their first gen console. These morons think that people would pay 299 euro for a x360 when no one will pay for it in their first gen console. someone is surffering a simple case of stupid complexity. moronics i say.

    Sony is sellling the PS 2 at $ 99 USD at the same time X360 launch. SPOILER SPOILER.

    There's no way in hell people would even pay $300 USD x360 when they can buy a PS 2 for $ 99 bucks.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 21:36

  • Nige #62 7 years ago

    Captain-nippon logic:

    "Something i've never seen, is slightly less powerful than something else.... I've never seen"

    You putrid little butt minge. Go elsewhere.

  • tenma #63 7 years ago

    captain-nippon: Your post really gives a bad name to anyone who prefers sony over microsoft because we immediately become associated with being as outlandishly fanboyish and ridiculous as that post of yours.

    lavalant: " and MS will crush them!!!!" isn't too much less ridiculous than what nippon said in his overly verbose manner.

    I swear, the day that people start spouting facts about "winners" and "losers" for the next gen consoles that aren't even out yet...
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/05 @ 22:37

  • Mr_Brown #64 7 years ago

    299 is a little steep even for me. I really want to get my hands on Perfect Dark Zero.

    If Elders Scroll 4: Oblivion is out at launch, I would fork out that amount of money. If not then, I may be tempted to wait.

    Are you sure this price isn't with a game? That would balance it out.

  • dllord #65 7 years ago

    "Nige" You putrid little butt minge. Go elsewhere. LoL! thats sooooooooooooooooo funny! But yeah go elsewhere you mullet!!!!!!!!

  • Vin #66 7 years ago

    Ihya, I stand corrected;

    "PS 3 is the ultimate Nex Gen Console. Everything about the PS 3 is superior to the X360, from design to power. it even support blu ray right out of the package."

    THIS is the sort of attitude that leads to the waterlogged floors and the VERY frustrated mothers.


  • Captain-nippon #67 7 years ago

    "captain nippon Sony will be chargin europeans around £500, I know you can't believe it with your fanboy brain but tough, Sony are in deep shit, lots of debt and MS will crush them!!!! now go cry about that fanboy. "

    What did i just called you? did you somehow forgot it already.

    General Motors, the world largest cars company, you heard of that company right? well guess what they're in debts over $350 billions. It doesn't look like they're crying any day soon are they meatball brain.

    MS will crush them!!!!! funny, I heard that line before, 5 years ago. Now, Sony sold 100 millions PS 2 and MS sold 20 millions, 5 time LESS than SoNy. Oh I am sorry did i just gave you an heard attack or a you living in denial again. Denial denial, I need to play FF7, again.

    PS 3 is worth every bucks on my hard working day, why? because it has the newest technologies. PS 3 will include as Full Linux OS or Mac OS X tiger, Cell and Blu Ray. I highly doubt that MS will include a full version of Window OS, maybe a half ass OS like Media Player or some shit like that, which can't do much.

    If I wanted to buy a DVD system for $500 USD I'll buy it from Sony, which is only cost around $199-$399 for a very good one. Why the fuck would I want to waste $500 USD on a DVD in the x360. With that kind of cash I'll rather buy a Blu Ray system.

    Now I know you want to avoid all of the sensitive subjects like PS 3 Power and Blu Ray and OS, of which X360 can't match.

    Sony will sell the PS 2 for $99 USD or $79 euro, anyone in the video games world and probably even you know this, PS 2 have over thousandth of titles verse the 15 titles for X360 launch. Do you think parents would want to spend $500 USD on a game console when they can buy for $99 bucks.


    Sony will crush, destroy and eat MS for breatfast lunch and dinner all in ONE TAKE. here's the funny part, Sony Did kick the shit of of MS ASSES.

    FACE IT, ACCEPT IT, LIVE IT.


  • Yaz #68 7 years ago

    "PS3 will include as Full Linux OS or Mac OS X tiger"

    Linux, yes (once you've purchased the HDD). As for Tiger, don't hold your breath, like most rumours, it's just a flight of fancy based upon very little information being stretched as far as possible.

    Besides, aren't these suppose to be GAMES consoles?

  • dllord #69 7 years ago

    "captain nippon" You are such a dong!
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/05 @ 01:11

  • tenma #70 7 years ago

    lavalant: "I'm just trying to wind him up, last he he wrote an essay on my MS sucked. "

    Don't wind him up too hard, mate. All his bantering about why Microsoft will undoubtedly fail may lead he (and the rest of us) to have a hemorrhage. :p

    nippon: "PS 3 will include as Full Linux OS or Mac OS X tiger"

    Since when did Steve Jobs hop on the Sony bandwagon? The day that I see Tiger on a console will be the same day that Nintendo surprises us with a second Virtua Boy.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/05 @ 01:35

  • elvenearth #71 7 years ago

    They can release it at the higher price and then do a discount when the PS3 comes out, makes sense to me...

  • brombeer #72 7 years ago

    @lavalant: And you wet dreams...

  • brombeer #73 7 years ago

    Still, isn't it a bit too optimistic? November 25th? Microsoft haven't even started producing the units yet! A worldwide introduction on november 25th? I wonder...

  • roofles #74 7 years ago

    The old dollar to pound switcheroo. Bastards.

  • #75 7 years ago

    They can release it at the higher price and then do a discount when the PS3 comes out, makes sense to me...

    Except that people will wait until substantial price drops (it happened last time and will happen again) which thereby risks squandering the time advantage of launching it early in the first place.

    It's not like theres a dearth of truly excellent games on both PS2 (look at g.o.w. easily one of the best looking games ever) and GC. People can and probably will wait.

    MS only has a small window of opportunity to establish a vital lead before PS3 (the brand, the hype, the Sony name) arrives.

    I'm not holding my breath on MS doing the right thing. Even at £249 - you know it will be cut to £200 when PS3 arrives.

    On the PS3 pricing front, many people were predicting PSP would be priced at US$350/UK£250.

    MS claim there is a lot of spin surrounding PS3 specs but then believe Sony on their claims about the price of PS3. Hmmmm. Tbh, I think Kutaragi are just playing with their minds (which is kind of funny when you think about it). I doubt PS3 will be much more than US$350 if that.

  • alpha-0ne #76 7 years ago

    i walk into the showroom to buy a car...

    sony motor store : hello sir this is the latest model, it has a picnic table built into the boot, it can fly as well but it will be expensive

    microsoft motor centre : hello sir here is our latest model we have listened to our market and have produced a car for driving, we could add extras that you probably will never use but we decided to keep the price down

    i know which one i would be buying i went into the shop to buy a car!!

  • asphaltcowboy #77 7 years ago

    Sorry, just out of interest, which?

  • #78 7 years ago

    I'd go for the car that flies!

    but we decided to keep the price down

    Not for us Europeans it seems.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/05 @ 10:53

  • Yaz #79 7 years ago

    "On the PS3 pricing front, many people were predicting PSP would be priced at US$350/UK£250."

    The price of the PSP says nothing about the price of the PS3. Sony never said the PSP was going to be expensive, those were just pre-launch rumours and guesses, and they were wrong.

    Similarly, before the launch of the PS2, Sony never said the PS2 was going to be expensive, but we still had people thinking it will be expensive because of the much hyped 'Emotion Engine', and they were wrong. Even earlier, Sony never said the PS1 was going to be expensive, yet some thought it would be before launch, again they were wrong.

    So it's true that many people believe Sony's consoles will be expensive before launch, only to be proven wrong, therefore logic suggests the same will be true for the PS3. However, the difference this time around is that for the FIRST TIME EVER, Sony has given numerous warnings that the PS3 WILL be expensive;

    http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2005/7/26/812

    Ken Kutaragi; "I'm aware that with all these technologies, the PS3 can't be offered at a price that's targeted towards households. I think everyone can still buy it if they wanted to, but we're aiming for consumers throughout the world. So we're going to have to do our best (in containing the price)....I'm not going to reveal its price today. I'm going to only say that IT'LL BE EXPENSIVE"

    ht tp://www.videogameslife.com/news/news.asp?id=730

    'Speaking to Toyo Keizai, Kutaragi commented that gamers will have to “earn” the PS3. “Our goal for PlayStation 3 is for consumers to think to themselves, 'I will work more hours to buy one. "We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else."'

    Even nVidia seems to think so;

    NVIDIA CEO Confirms Pricey PS3?
    http:/ /gear.ign.com/articles/638/638072p1.html

    Search the internet, you will not find similar comments from Sony or any of their partners regarding the PSP, PS2 or PS1.

    Sony are marketing the PS3 as more than just a games console, and therefore I think you can expect a 'more than just a games console' price!
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/05 @ 12:17

  • davyuk #80 7 years ago

    Go an buy a dual core AMD or Intel chip right now - see how much change from £299 YOU get.

    Now try and find a cpu comparable to the 3-core/6-thread in the 360, and see if you get change out of £400. Maybe take another £400 wad along to include a 7800 GTX Nvidia card on your shopping spree. And that's not including the rest of the hardware you need to put these purchase to any use.

  • brombeer #81 7 years ago

    @Alpha-One: sigh...

  • .:PSP:. #82 7 years ago

    I spoke to a project manager at xbox and they said there would be 2 consoles one released on 25th nov and the other after christmas, he said the second would be upgradable to have new graphics cards, more wireless controllers, new hard drives and faster memory ,all of these would have to be purchased separatley and manually put into or on the xbox, this console would cost around £500 for a top of the range modded xbox

  • brombeer #83 7 years ago

    LOL

  • Genji #84 7 years ago

    "I spoke to a project manager at xbox and they said there would be 2 consoles one released on 25th nov and the other after christmas, he said the second would be upgradable to have new graphics cards, more wireless controllers, new hard drives and faster memory ,all of these would have to be purchased separatley and manually put into or on the xbox, this console would cost around £500 for a top of the range modded xbox"

    So, it's a PC, basically.
    Also, are you making this up? Your nickname doesn't exactly scream "I'm capable of objectivity"

  • 786Beast #85 7 years ago

    360 know ps3 is gonna cost loads because of claims they raise the launch price considerably, couple of weeks prior to launch of 360, sony announce cheap ps3 (£200) and then no one buys 360.

    :)

  • old_skool #86 7 years ago

    Hmmm , coke or pepsi ? Tastes the same to me...

  • fanboy #87 7 years ago

    Captain-nippon, you sir are a fanboy.

    /looks around awkwardly

  • tenma #88 7 years ago

    People keep forgetting that the PS3 is so far away that lots of things could happen. The 360 could be a success from the start, therefore causing Sony to possibly lower the PS3's price to be a strong competitor to the xbox. Sony could inevitable drop some of the [many, many, useless] add-ons they have on the console such as the numerous ports, half of which I doubt will actually get used. Or, like some even suspect, it could really be a move by Kutaragi to try and make Microsoft over-price and hurt themselves in the end. No one is at the point to start treating the supposed PS3 price tag of £500, 500.00 USD, or whatever as fact. The console is more than a ways away from even launching and being fully finalized, yet.

    Even moreso, people keep forgetting that, to some people, even a £150 X360 may be a worse value than a £400 PS3. And, believe it or not, this may not just be loyal Sony brand-loyalty but because some people actually prefer the games that have been released on Sony platforms in the past to the ones that were released on the Xbox during this present gen. And adding to the fact that the press is speculating that only select Xbox games will be backwards compatible (http:/ /xbox.ign.com/articles/639/639136p1.html), the PS3, even at a higher price, may still be more of a better value to some.

    I know that at this point, I'd be willing to spend more for a ps3 than a 360. But $200 more? Fuck no.

  • Jokerr #89 7 years ago

    I hope microsoft fail in this next generation. All they want is make sure that windows is in every home on every platfrom, and keep a grip on their near virtual monopoly. If we don't stop them now, they'll grow so big that they'll try to take over the world. Don't support the evil empire!

  • Yaz #90 7 years ago

    ^^^ Wait until your daddy finds out you were on his computer. :o

  • Dirtbox #91 7 years ago

    /waves penis

  • Ihya #92 7 years ago

    Well I thought MS would carve out more of a market this time, but alas, if true, this severely dents the launch momentum. I'm pretty confused over buying one and having to upgrade the drive in 6 months when it updates it's games to High Def. Now at £300 as well? Plus no Halo on launch?

    The thing that annoys me is I know that price will be going down in a few months time anyhow so why the hell should I buy one at launch???

    I'm currently looking at the spring release of Halo 3 with the inevitable bundle offer as the proper launch, where things get interesting and compare it with Sony's offer there and then for bang for your buck potential...

  • Paul_Stephen_Patters #93 7 years ago

    Why the fuck would anyone want to buy this worthless Xbox piece of shit? $300? I could hire two prostitutes to come over and service me while I play my PS2 or PSP for that amount of money and probably still have enough left over to buy myself enough weed to get right off my face into the bargain!

    So you'll excuse me if I don't want to waste my money on Micro$oft'$ latest oversized, over priced, over hyped and over exposed pile of trash and prefer instead to wait for the latest ground breaking effort from those miracle workers at Sony, which I can guarantee will be better than the XfuckingBox 360 even if it costs $1000!

    Fuck you Microsoft, and fuck you Nintendo!
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/05 @ 21:47

  • PinkSpider #94 7 years ago

    Tech (well console tech) has always been like this, release at a high price - and if early adopters want this then excellent. But it shall be down to 250 then 200 then 150.

    Just like every generation of machines I remember....

    I predict the PS3 will be a similar, if not higher price.

  • ProfessorLesser #95 7 years ago

    Welcome back PSP!

    We've needed you round here.

  • Vin #96 7 years ago

    Holy shit, this thread is STILL GOING?

  • squaylor #97 7 years ago

    But what colour will it be?

    I paid a lot of money on release for a Playstation, and didn't regret it. I then waited a few months after the PS2 was released and picked one up at the first price reduction, and didn't regret it. I waited about a year after the Xbox was released and bought one for almost half the original RRP, and didn't regret it (apart from the hernia it gave me carrying it home). All good consoles, all well-packaged. That said, I'm glad I waited with the Xbox as I avoided the problems of the disc tray on the earlier models - I've never had a DDE yet.

    I'll be waiting a while to buy any of the new consoles as there's still plenty to explore on the PS2 and Xbox to keep me going for another 12months until the next-gen lot have settled down. The difference this time compared to the launch of the PS2/Xbox is the current amount of games to be played. You can argue over GBP50 here and there, or the semantics of statements by CEO's, but I look at the amount of games on my 'to buy' list - across all current formats, and I'm content.
    Edited by 1 at 08/08/05 @ 00:55

  • PES_Fanboy #98 7 years ago

    As a Canuck now living in glorious Britain, can I just point out a factoid about North American pricing policies:

    They're not simple.

    See, we, and our misunderstood neighbours have a very provincial way of taxing goods.

    For example, I bought my (NA) Xbox at launch, for the equivalent in our silly dollars to US$299. However, when I added on PST (Provincial Sales Tax) of 7%, and then the GST (Goods and Services Tax, also 7%) on TOP of the original price PLUS the PST, we come to a grand total of $321.39.

    And BC is one of the 'nicer' provinces for taxation, some of the Eastern states have 14% PST and the standard 7% GST....

    So the pricing model isn't very fair in North America either. If I'd bothered my arse to drive up to Yukon I could have saved twenty bucks, but then I'd have spent fifty on gas...

  • The-Bodybuilder #99 7 years ago

    Could this be MS calling sony's bluff?
    Sony may be trying to trick MS into raising up the price, only for the ps3 to be cheaper than expected (even though it may still be expensive).

    However, MS may be just bluffing in hope that sony release thier ps3 price plan earlier, only for the 360 to turn out cheaper.

  • Kiigan #100 7 years ago

    299 = the price of being an early adopter. Here's an idea - if you can't afford it at that price, don't buy it and wait for the prices to drop as they most assuredly will before the release of the PS3 (whenever that may be).

    299 was pretty much what I expected, and sounds about right to me. There's no point comparing it to the price of current-gen consoles at the end of their lifecycle.

    One thing I predicate will NOT last is the 45 quid games. We all knew it was going to happen, but it won't last for long. There's no way consumers or retailers will put up with it.

  • Blerk #101 7 years ago

    Putting aside pricing arguments.... November 25th is pretty late for the Christmas rush, isn't it? Especially if there is limited stock. I expected it to be early November, not late...

  • Teeth #102 7 years ago

    Anything that can cause the reappearance of Paul Stephen Patters is a good thing IMO

  • Yaz #103 7 years ago

    ^^^ Just a shame he had nothing sensible to say. :p

  • Teeth #104 7 years ago

    That's the point, though.

  • lotteryman82 #105 7 years ago

    my guess is that pricing for consoles seem reasonable enough for the specs they offer then again not all will be able to take advantage of the hi-deaf ( no it wan't a typo) not all have a digital sound system or a screen that you have the picture perfect quality.
    I more in favour of sony because no matter what hype lies or whatever peeps accuse sony of eventually you always get a nice package with buckloads of games
    and possibilities and i doubt anyone was ever let down as a gamer from Sony that would be unfair to say the least.
    Microsoft has a bad name and lots to catch up compared to Sony i think the best idea would be to put a pricing that actually leaves space for gamers to get 2 consoles so that no matter where u stand XBOX360 would be a possible and wanted choice even for peeps that are undecive whether ms worths the bucks and if ms proves enough peeps won't bother immediately with PS3 giving more time to MS and i think that would pay more to ms than its current policy.
    Everyone knows that PLAYSTATION brand has become too tough to get head to head with it even if its written in Spiderman way don't mess with it stay beside it and you might reach a better mark in time.

  • Corben_Dallas #106 7 years ago

    IMO theres no way its goin to be less than £300 /€380 and the PS3 prob £350/€440

    If MS laucnh at 250 then they will have bought the first round of the console wars, but there will be a premium rate for Day 1 adopters. No way will X360 launch for £199 u only get that price after several price cuts, at teh end of a consoles lifespan.

    Dont hold out any hope for a £199 launch.
    Start saving/earning for a 250/300 price kids!

  • penhalion #107 7 years ago

    Actually isn't the conversion rate now in euros so wouldn't it be $299 translated directly to 299 euros? So isn't that like 210 pounds sterlin?

  • lotteryman82 #108 7 years ago

    unfortunately the us price is translated first to UK pounds and then to EUros
    so its 299$ to 299UKP so its 450+euros for europe

  • penhalion #109 7 years ago

    No it isn't!

    $149 = 149 euros DS = £99 uk
    $249 = 249 euros PSP = £179 uk

    I think it's just the english press that show things as being a direct conversion from dollars to pounds still.

    I should add that 1 euro is worth just over 1 dollar (about 20 cents more I think) while 1 pound is worth 1.80 dollars or there about. It therefore isn't possible to sell a 299 dollar item in europe for 400 euros. At best they could get away with selling the item for 20% more not 80% more.
    Edited by 1 at 10/08/05 @ 17:11