Just when it looked like Microsoft really had all their ducks in a row for the Xbox 360 launch they totally mess it up with confusing (and a bit sleazy) marketing tactics. After following Microsoft for the last 21 years (I actually bought an 80-column card made by them!) it never amazes me the lengths they go to confuse their users. The duel launch of two Xbox 360 systems is pure brilliance ... from a marketing point of view that is.
Yesterday it was revealed yesterday that when the Xbox is released it will come in to "flavors" -- the "Xbox 360 Core" for $299 and the "Xbox 360" for $399. Notice how Microsoft calls the more expensive option just the "Xbox 360" and not "Xbox 360 Deluxe" or something similar. That is classic Marketing 101 for you, call the more expensive option by the product name and the less expensive option something different. That way when the kiddies ask mommy and daddy for an "Xbox 360" and they go online or to the store they will see that the "Xbox 360" costs $399, while the "Xbox 360 Core" costs $299. So if the parents buy the cheaper "Core" version they, of course, will be buying the "wrong" version because little Johnny asked for the "Xbox 360", which is the $399 option. Pretty brilliant calling the console and the more expensive option by the exact same name. Expect a lot of confused parents this holiday season when they try to buy a $299 "Xbox 360" (which is $399, silly parents!)
Next up -- the hard drive, or should I say, the lack of a hard drive. The Xbox 360 hard drive is only included with the more expensive option, the "Core" system only comes with the console itself, the "Xbox 360 Controller" (the wired version, of course), and the HD-AV cable. Plus Microsoft has already told developers "not to count on having a hard drive available" when developing their games. Since the hard drive is only an option you can now look forward to 99% of all Xbox 360 games not to use the hard drive at all (developers always have to create for the lowest common denominator, which is no hard drive).
So why is Microsoft even releasing the hard drive at all? One key reason -- backwards compatibility with the original Xbox. Without a hard drive you won't be able to play original Xbox games on the Xbox 360. But even this issue isn't that clearcut. You see, the Xbox 360 is using a totally different chipset from the original Xbox, so the only way you will be able to play Xbox games on your Xbox 360 is through an "emulation mode". That's right, the Xbox 360 will have to emulate the Xbox in order to play Halo 2. Nice forward thinking Microsoft.
So let's call a spade a spade shall we? The Xbox 360 costs $399, period. Sure there will be a "version" of the Xbox 360 which only costs $299 and has a wired controller, no hard drive, and no backwards capability. So now Microsoft will say in all their ads and PR "The Xbox 360 ... Only $299!" which I guess is technically true, but which version are all the kiddies and "real gamers" going to buy? Ah Microsoft, you are so evil, that is why I love you!
Xbox 360 ... "Only" $299! (or $399, if You're A &q
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saturos111
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:19 pm
They did. It was called the XBox 360 Premium Pack.saturos111 wrote: Yesterday it was revealed yesterday that when the Xbox is released it will come in to "flavors" -- the "Xbox 360 Core" for $299 and the "Xbox 360" for $399. Notice how Microsoft calls the more expensive option just the "Xbox 360" and not "Xbox 360 Deluxe" or something similar.
Also, instead of posting this here, why not post it in the sticky in the Cafe?
uh no dos mes. You don't save that much by buying the premium. The only thing you'll actually get for "free" are upgrades. In other words, instead of a wired controller, you get a wireless one. $10. Instead of a regular cable, you get an HD one. Once again, probably around a $10 profit. Then the headset, which is another $20. I think that's about it. They don't even have the remote anymore, so yeah. It's about a $40 profit.
