I was browsing the usual places that gamers gather on the net to find out the newest pieces of info about their favortie gaming topics when I came across the SKUs for the new Xbox 360.
It was interesting to see how Microsoft was approaching the next generation of gaming. Instead of having one set system, it appears that they will have two. For those of you who don't know, this is how it works. There is a 'core' system and it is pretty much a stripped down system. It comes with a controller (wired) and a couple of things. This is going to be about 400 bucks for you to buy this one.
Then, there is another SKU that is called the 'Platinum' system that comes with the HDD, a gold membership to Xbox Live for a year, and a host of interesting things that make you look at the 'core' system and wonder who would buy it. After all, for $100 more, you get some good stuff, not to mention a HDD that came standard for the original Xbox.
What the idea is that there are differnet levels of affordablility, and that Microsoft is trying to cater to that. After all, can't you buy all the good stuff later on?
It is a interesting strategy, and a good start for the console considering that it is a full six months, at least, ahead of it's main competitor, Sony. This, of course, doesn't tell us what the shops are going to bundle with their systems to up the price more. Gone are the days of purchasing just the system. Everything now a days has to be bundled. When the PSP first came out, I ahd a hard time, along with almost everyone, jsut getting the system. My good friend is a assistant Manager at a EB and didn't force me to get the bundle that added like, a extra $60 for a sports game I will never play.
Companies have discovered, at least at launch time, that they aren't making enough profit on the system, since we all know that they are actually making the money off the software and accessories instead. It is funny to note that the current price leader in this bundle issue is your nieghborhood Wal-Mart. They have offered some attractive bundles for the 360 at affordable prices. The bundle prices for the new system from GameSpot, EB, and other places are already ranging in the $700 mark and above. There is a $2000 dollar bundle apparently offered for a bit from EB that included 6 games and a wealth of other stuff, but why? The launch lineup doesn't look promising, and there are reports of this game and that game no longer available at launch, but up to three months later.
I realize that getting a new system when it comes out is a thing of 'have to' for some, but with the incredible prices are out there, I think it is best to wait until the system has established itself by the array of titles that are out there... but that is just me.
Sony, in response of the 360 bundling options stated days later that there will not be multiple builds for the PS3, but I think that will stay until they see how powerful the 360 comes out of the start gate at those prices. Either way, a buying of just a console is no more...at least there is Ebay...