Exclusive: $99 Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle launching next week with two-year subscription

SJIND · 2012-05-03T06:27:37Z

Verge: Microsoft is planning to launch a $99 Xbox console package with a monthly subscription as early as next week, according to our sources

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mushroomwig4373d ago

So they're selling the 360 4GB version for $99, along with a 24 month contract at $15 a month which equals $360. That comes to a total of $459 over the course of 2 years. It's probably cheaper just to buy it out-right and be done with it.

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sourav934373d ago

The same thing can be said with mobile phones, but people still go with contracts. The thing you need to understand is, losing $15 every month for the next 24 months doesn't seem as bad as losing $199 in one go. But I do see your point.

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GamerSciz4373d ago

I have to disagree about mobile phones. Going with the contract is cheaper in the end...It's because say the iphone without a contract is $650 (which I believe it is) then if you buy it outright you still can't use it. You need some sort of calling plan/data plan. Say that costs $75/mo. That's $1800 in 2 years from monthly plan alone on top of $650 for the phone outright which is $2450 total. Buying the 2 year contract takes the phone down to say $300. With the same data plan you essentially spend $2150.

In other words, cell phones and contracts aren't exactly but I do also see your point and the logic you are trying to state. So I agree with you in the end.

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chriski3334373d ago

yea but if you want a nice smartphone being a android,iphone,windows those damn things sell for 600$ and up

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SilentNegotiator4372d ago

"The same thing can be said with mobile phones, but people still go with contracts"

Is that a joke? You have to pay for the service anyway, and the phones cost $600 and up if you buy them without a contract.

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sourav934372d ago (Edited 4372d ago )

If you buy the phone for $600 up front, and get a sim only $50/month contract for 2 years, that'll cost you about $1800 in total. But if you go with the contract, it'll cost you over $2000 in the course of the 2 years. Remember, contracts with phone inclusive are SUPPOSED to cost more overall than to get the phone and sim separately due the convenience of not dishing out $600+ in one go. It's a lot like an invisible interest that you pay for paying for you phone and connection in monthly installments.

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Fat Onion4372d ago (Edited 4372d ago )

I would imagine part of the reason why cell phone service is so high is because they factor in the cost of subsidizing the phone. If no phone company did that 1 or 2 year contract deal...the average cost of cell phone service would perhaps be around $50/mo. for iPhone and others instead of $70+/mo.

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aDDicteD4372d ago

exactly, in the long run it's not as cheap as it's supposed to be, and in 2 yrs...wel it may not even reach 2 yrs, lol

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XboxInnovation4372d ago

Obviously, but the reason for this is for people who cannot come up with all the money right away. All they need is one hundred plusdollars up front and they have a 360, a kinect and can play online.

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XboxInnovation4372d ago

Obviously, but the reason for this is for people who cannot come up with all the money right away. All they need is one hundred plus dollars up front and they have a 360, a kinect and can play online.

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chukamachine4373d ago

M$ need the new bundle, they are already 650k behind this year.

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BubloZX4373d ago

still won't stop the ps3

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SJIND4373d ago (Edited 4373d ago )

Change the Game

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Neko_Mega4373d ago

I get a feeling this isn't going to do as well as they hope it will, it does go for phones for its own reason.

This almost seems about the same as just getting a 360 at Rent A Center or stores like that.

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aDDicteD4372d ago

doesn't look like a good deal in my opinion, it's just 4gb plus a 2 yr $15 subscription every month... i dont know about that move

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SJIND4372d ago

So that will cost you around $500..
Is this is the good move?

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Captain Tuttle4372d ago

If MS were to go with a powerful, expensive console for the 720 this could really help with early sales. It works for smart phones, not sure why it wouldn't work for consoles.

Brilliant really. I'm sure this is just an experiment and it will be really interesting to see how it works out. The financial press have picked up on this story and are covering it now.

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Fat Onion4372d ago

So if the 720 will cost $499.99 at launch, maybe there will be a separate deal where you can get it for say $299.99 with a $15/mo. subscription.

Or $399.99 at launch and $199.99 with a $15/mo. subscription. Sounds like a good move to me.

Perhaps MS is really just testing to see how the market responds to this offer.

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DivineHand1254372d ago

Low entry price of $99 for almost full xbox 360 experience. Sure you end up paying $40 more than if you bought everything upfront but Microsoft has added additional value to the plan such as a 2 year warranty and additional services from cable tv providers(I'm going by what i read in the article). For some people it is easier for them to find $15 per month than to pay $360 upfront.

Also like Captain Tuttle said this could be an experiment to find the best pricing strategy for their next gen console.

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thebudgetgamer4372d ago (Edited 4372d ago )

So microsoft is turning into a rent-a-center?

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aDDicteD4371d ago

yup, it looks like it

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tawak4372d ago

so microsoft finally answers back with their own Exclusive to sony's exclusive games...

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Dogswithguns4372d ago

Oh great. now we have contract gaming consoles. besides cellphones.. I don't think so.

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Jlv1234372d ago

Sign your soul away today and get a free Xbox 360 today Mu ha ha. Oh boy somebody had to do it let see when you get a cell phone you have to sign a two year contract when you get cable to get a cheaper price you have sign a contract usually two years so why not gaming systems it is how some business work and make more money off the unexpected people who don't do the math and end up paying more in the long run that how these things work.

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Rageanitus4372d ago

xbox is a bit like ipod/iphone supporter abit.... they tend to thing that all the major apps are NOT found on the competitors devices.... Hence they continue supporting the device blindly

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