News > Possible Xbox 360 Price Drop
June 8, 2007
It looks like Microsoft might be rethinking its strategy in the console war. Rather than focusing solely on the overpriced PS3 as the main adversary, attention has been shifted in the direction of the little-console-that-could - the Wii.
Besides the fact that the Wii outpaces both Microsoft's and Sony's machines in sales, Microsoft is finding that the market is not so different between consoles, and the Wii is indeed a direct competitor.
Microsoft has voiced intentions of broadening the Xbox 360's appeal, marketing to families, as well as the "hardcore gamer." Said Xbox Director of Global Platform Marketing Albert Penello, "If you don't start building that content and reputation it never comes. I don't want to be pigeonholed as a hardcore machine."
In addition, Peter Moore stated, "If we don't make that move, make it early and expand our demographic, we will wind up in the same place as with Xbox 1, a solid business with 25 million people. What I need is a solid business with 90 million people."
Regarding the pricing of the Wii, Xbox Product Manager David Hufford said, "When mom walks into the store and sees she can get a console with a game for $250, she sees it as a $300 value. They've done a good job. We are well aware that the sweet spot of the market is really 199 bucks."
After statements such as these, it is clear that Microsoft sees the Wii as it's number one competitor, and if this is indeed the case, then the Xbox 360 may need a price point that can actually compete with that of the Wii. As of yet, there has been no official confirmation of a price drop for the Xbox 360, but internet rumors point to a possible rollback this September.
*Eddie R Inzauto - Senior Editor, GameWad.com
