Microsoft creates the 'Classics' package for older 360 games, and talks a bit about the cost of the Xbox 360 core in the future...
First, Microsoft has produced its 'classics' package for older games - the first two to be brought into this hall of fame: Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo.
It is my opinion that being the first to be tagged "classic" says a lot about the game: not good. Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo, in many customers eyes, did not live up to the hype. Proof of this is their induction inoto the hall of classics which includes a price reduction. Think on this, Call of Duty 2 was released at the same time as these two games - it doesn't yet have the 'classic' boarder on it. Why? Because its HOT.
The classic box front does not seem that appealing. The box reminds me of the 'bargain bin' games that you find at the checkout counter at CompUSA, no?
Secondly, GamePro ran an interview with Micrsoft's Albert Penello about some Xbox 360 topics. One that stood out was his mentiont that the Xbox 360 CORE was built "so that we [Microsoft] could get to $199 or $149 sometime" in the future. Microsoft underscored the fact that there will be no pricedrop this fall it is clear that they are planning correct for their future.
Most console systems (besides Nintendo) typically burn money at the start of their lifetime. Companies plan to make all the profits from games and accessories, not from the console itself. The console starts much as a "giveaway" as far as revenue is concerned, with the hope that, over time, the price of the gear to build the box reduces. Once the components drop in price the box itself can drop in price yet become profitable.
Microsoft is clearly stating that the Xbox 360 design can be just that: profitable. This wasn't exactly the goal of the original Xbox which was designed more like a PC than a strict console unit.
So, if your holding out for a price drop, keep holding out for "future" announcements on price cuts. Although, by the time its done I would guess the next console generation would already be on the horizon.
Thanks to TANK for the information - you can hear mention of him on this weeks OXM podcast as he corrects the OXM team about the XNA project! Again, 2old2play gets mad props!
First, Microsoft has produced its 'classics' package for older games - the first two to be brought into this hall of fame: Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo.
It is my opinion that being the first to be tagged "classic" says a lot about the game: not good. Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo, in many customers eyes, did not live up to the hype. Proof of this is their induction inoto the hall of classics which includes a price reduction. Think on this, Call of Duty 2 was released at the same time as these two games - it doesn't yet have the 'classic' boarder on it. Why? Because its HOT.
The classic box front does not seem that appealing. The box reminds me of the 'bargain bin' games that you find at the checkout counter at CompUSA, no?
Secondly, GamePro ran an interview with Micrsoft's Albert Penello about some Xbox 360 topics. One that stood out was his mentiont that the Xbox 360 CORE was built "so that we [Microsoft] could get to $199 or $149 sometime" in the future. Microsoft underscored the fact that there will be no pricedrop this fall it is clear that they are planning correct for their future.
Most console systems (besides Nintendo) typically burn money at the start of their lifetime. Companies plan to make all the profits from games and accessories, not from the console itself. The console starts much as a "giveaway" as far as revenue is concerned, with the hope that, over time, the price of the gear to build the box reduces. Once the components drop in price the box itself can drop in price yet become profitable.
Microsoft is clearly stating that the Xbox 360 design can be just that: profitable. This wasn't exactly the goal of the original Xbox which was designed more like a PC than a strict console unit.
So, if your holding out for a price drop, keep holding out for "future" announcements on price cuts. Although, by the time its done I would guess the next console generation would already be on the horizon.
Thanks to TANK for the information - you can hear mention of him on this weeks OXM podcast as he corrects the OXM team about the XNA project! Again, 2old2play gets mad props!
