260°

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

Microsoft is planning to launch a $99 Xbox console package with a monthly subscription as early as next week, according to our sources. The software giant will offer the 4GB console with a Kinect sensor at its range of Microsoft Stores in the US, subsidized with a monthly cost of $15. We're told that the two-year subscription will provide access to the Xbox Live Gold service and possibly some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers. Customers who sign-up for the deal will also be covered under a two-year warranty.

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theverge.com
Emilio_Estevez4797d ago

Adding contracts to the mix seems bad, not sure why anyone would want that. Unless they were planning on signing on for 2 yrs anyway, that would make sense.

LOGICWINS4797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

Another logical prediction comes true :)

http://n4g.com/news/982623/...

gaffyh4797d ago

Except it's not free, so your prediction was completely inaccurate.

LOGICWINS4797d ago

I never said anything about free. Re-read my comment.

"MS KEEPS getting their XBL revenue from existing XBL members and newcomers have a great incentive to buy a 360."

gaffyh4797d ago

But you said that they would bundle 1 years worth of gold into the cost of the new 360, meaning it would be free for those people for a year. That's not the case, you'll still be paying $15 a month for 24 months, which includes the cost of XBL. So it's not bundled for free any amount of time, which is what that comment suggested.

mushroomwig4797d ago

There was nothing logical or predictive about that comment, the phrase 'bundling' implies at no extra charge, you were obviously trying to suggest that MS should "bundle" in a year for free.

LOGICWINS4797d ago

"But you said that they would bundle 1 years worth of gold into the cost of the new 360, meaning it would be free for those people for a year."

?????

How is it free? Your PAYING for the 360.

gtxgamer24797d ago

I have to laugh at your name because the "logic" you think is winning really is losing and everyone disagrees with every comment you post.

NiKK_4194797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

Your comment sounds NOTHING like what they are actually doing and was not logical in any way other than the name.

OT: Even though it is more expensive to do it this way, you're stretching it out over a long period of time, which, to some, actually makes it cheaper for them.

solidjun54797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

"I never said anything about free. Re-read my comment. "

okay let's see. "I think bundling a one year XBL Gold subscription in every new 360 would make more sense." you selectively disregarded that portion of your comment from 12 days ago. you did say it's it's free. I suggest you read your comments again Nostradamus.

solidjun54797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

how did you get 2 more bubbles?!?!!
mods been helping you, i see.

IRetrouk4796d ago

I have just noticed that myself, when I was asking him a question about 11 hours ago in another topic he had 3, now 5, how? Iv been stuck on two for like a year now but he can get two in half a day, disgusting

solidjun54796d ago

@iRetrouk
look at his comment that says "Well Said." It was marked for trolling and then changed to "Well Said." Clearly a mod thought otherwise and gave him 2 bubbles. I've never seen something like this. from 3 to 5. He had 4 prior to this morning and clearly trolled and yet he gets rewarded. pretty funny.

trenso14796d ago

@logic how is this a great incentive? In the 2 year at $15 you would be paying $360 that 6 years of regular xbl. How can anyone justify paying for that. But I can't tell people how to spend their money.

IRetrouk4796d ago

That's crazy, his first comment, the one I replyed to, was marked for trolling and then changed too, quess he has some friends, either that or he's a mod

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 4796d ago
brish4797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

xbox: $99 for xbox 4 gig version (- $100)
subscription: 12 months * $15 = $180
Kinect: included

For one year (not on option): $99 + $180 = $279
For two years: $99 + $180 + $180 = $459

vs

xbox: $199 for xbox 4 gig
subscription: $60 per year for gold subscription
Kinect: $150

For one year: $199 + $60 + $150 = $409
For two years: $199 + $60 + $60 + $150 = $469

You save $10. If you buy kinect separately you can usually get it for more than $10 off the $150 suggested price now.

However, if you don't want kinect that it costs you an additional $140.

* edited to include kinect price *

PS3

ps3: $250
yearly subscription fee: $0

One year price: $250 + $0 = $250
Two year price: $250 + $0 + $0 = $250

Emilio_Estevez4797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

That's how they get ya, making you think it's a good deal, but in reality it's just spreading the price out over a longer period.

And your prediction was completely wrong logic, you said free live as part of the price, that's not what they are saying here.

Godchild10204797d ago

Why buy the kinect by itself. Its 50 dollars less to buy it in a bundle. 4GB 360 w/ Kinect for 299 + 2 years of live for 120 equals = 429. More like 40 dollars less then being in a 2 year contract.

brish4797d ago

@DrStabwounds

From article:
"We're told that the two-year subscription will provide access to the Xbox Live Gold service and possibly some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers."

It sounds like it does include XBox Live Gold to me.

I should have pointed out that you can get a gold subscription for a discount as well but I can't edit the comment anymore.

360GamerFG4797d ago

Sound maths there, except your calculations do not include the additional streaming content that is included in the subscription, whatever it may be.
Also your ps3 calculations do not include Move. . .then again, who buys Move anyway right??

kneon4797d ago

It's even worse than that, since Christmas they've periodically had the 4gb+kinect bundle on sale for $199. So if you just wait for the next sale you can get the same thing for much less.

flyingmunky4797d ago

Unfortunately the 'people' that shop at WalMart and the like won't be able to comprehend your math. All they will see will be the 99$ price tag. They will probably just think it was on sale and even think they saved a couple hundred bucks.

humbleopinion4797d ago

Here's some troll science that will show you how to get rich quickly:
* Buy Xbox 4Gb + Kinect = 99$
* Hack console, log in to xbox live, get console banned = 0$
* Terminate monthly payments because Microsoft banned your console and therefore ended the contract (not a breach of contract) = 0$
* Sell useless Kinect peripheral to a casual mom = -100$ ("I know I said 99$ ma'am, but I have no change)

Total costs: 99$ - 100$ = -1$
you just got payed 1$ for a (banned) Xbox 360 console which you now own! Repeat indefinitely for $$$!

* For additional $$$ get a router and make the biggest Halo 4 lan party ever! Charge people at the entrance.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4797d ago
GuyManDude4797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

Right? $460 for a 4GB 360 + Kinect + 2 years XBL and 2 years of "content" (not explained).

Why not just buy a 4GB 360 for $150 (many suppliers have offered $50 GCs at the current $200 console price) and get two years of XBL on sale for $35 each? You skip the worthless Kinect and come to a total of $220 (or $270 + $50 GC).

I don't know the full details, but I can't see the additional content (along with a Kinect) being worth $240.

blue7_74797d ago

Not really it's actually very smart and it's going to be interesting how it does I think all the console makers will be paying attention.

It's all about impulse a lot of people are just going to be seeing $15 a month and thinking how cheap that is they won't realize that in two years it would be cheaper to just buy it but like I said this is all about those impulse buyers.

flyingmunky4797d ago

It really brilliant though, think about it.

M$ traps people on the old box so they can squeeze a few more bucks out of it. They basically are assured revenue for 2 years.

The average American is so dumb they won't know they got shafted until its already to late.

aviator1894797d ago

Hmm, not really if you think about it. Attractive price point and a good deal.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4797d ago
SlipperyMooseCakes4797d ago

Why not, cell phones do it. It's not for me and I personally don't like contracts but sometimes people prefer this route.

mcstorm4797d ago (Edited 4797d ago )

I agree with you here and in a way this could work if MS can go a deal with someone like Sky in the UK where you pay £100 for the 360 and Kinect but you sign up to a 2 year Sky contract where you get full skytv, ondemand, music movies and sport ect. Ide look at something like the instead of my BTVision box I have.

Yes its not to everyone but they could offer the console at full price and you can opt to sign up for a month rolling contract to this content.

To me I would love to have 1 device under my tv that will do everything I want rather than 3 of 4 different devices.

kneon4797d ago

It's kind of funny that right now my cell phone carrier is giving away 4gb+kinect bundles when you sign up for certain smartphone plans.

So you have a choice as to with which company you want to get locked into a contract.

Summons754797d ago

wait.....I just woke up so I have no idea if I'm reading this correctly. They might offer an xbox 360, kinect, and two years of xbox live with a two year warranty for $99? That isn't that bad outside of it being a 4gb

Frankfurt4797d ago

Reading it wrong. Think "cellphone".

mushroomwig4797d ago

You're also paying $15 a month for 2 years = $360. It's not a good deal.

It would be cheaper just to buy everything out-right.

Summons754797d ago

alright, must have missed that part thanks

Godchild10204797d ago

It's a good idea if you're on a budget and hopefully the 15 dollars is tax free. This is for those that can afford to spend 400 plus dollars on a console at one time.

This is not bad depending on how you look at it.

4797d ago
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250°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

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clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer21h ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole15h ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK8h ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

KwietStorm_BLM4h ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif2h ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Fishy Fingers21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer20h ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused20h ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher20h ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning7715h ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay3h ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

19d ago
19d ago
lukasmain19d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198119d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK18d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts18d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK18d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

19d ago
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410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

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windowscentral.com
21d ago
21d ago
21d ago
shadowT21d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits21d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel121d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic20d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN20d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel119d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica20d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14920d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga20d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 19d ago
CrashMania21d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts21d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7721d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box20d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7720d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts20d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7720d ago (Edited 20d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb20d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 20d ago
BLow21d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box20d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

20d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

20d ago
1Victor20d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

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