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.

[Emilio_Estevez]

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.

[LOGICWINS]

Another logical prediction comes true :)

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

[gaffyh]

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

[LOGICWINS]

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."

[gaffyh]

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.

[mushroomwig]

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.

[LOGICWINS]

"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.

[gtxgamer2]

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_419]

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.

[solidjun5]

"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.

[solidjun5]

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

[IRetrouk]

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

[solidjun5]

@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.

[trenso1]

@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.

[IRetrouk]

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

[brish]

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_Estevez]

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.

[Godchild1020]

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.

[brish]

@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.

[360GamerFG]

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??

[kneon]

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.

[flyingmunky]

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.

[humbleopinion]

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.

[Gigawatt25]

Stupidest idea ever.

[GuyManDude]

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_7]

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.

[flyingmunky]

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.

[aviator189]

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

[SlipperyMooseCakes]

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

[mcstorm]

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.

[kneon]

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.

[cstyle]

Haters...lol

[Summons75]

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

[Frankfurt]

Reading it wrong. Think "cellphone".

[mushroomwig]

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.

[Summons75]

alright, must have missed that part thanks

[Godchild1020]

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.

[ddelella]

Anyone who buys this is an idiot, plain and simple. Do the math people:
Normal Price: $299 or less
XBL Gold 12 Month: $60 (usually $30-$35 through buy.com)
Total: $420 MAX

Small Price: $99
Contract: $15 x 24 months = $360
Total: $460 Guaranteed

Even if you buy retail items for XBL Gold and the console you would still be overpaying by $40.

[Letros]

How much to pay it off on a credit card over two years? Some people do not have the money upfront for a console or a PC, different payment options are a definite plus.

@below

I guess you can't see the logic, which I clearly explained.

[mushroomwig]

If someone doesn't have the money upfront then they should save like any normal person would, going for this offer is foolish because you're paying more in the long run.

There is no "definite plus" in paying more when you don't have to.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

I'm with you, mushroomwig. If you can't afford something like this...then don't buy it! Wait until you can pay for it up-front because it is much more financially responsible.

[Kalowest]

"cable providers or sports package providers."
It trying to be a HD cable box, you might get Fios or Xfinity with it(The $15 a month might come from that also). For along time MS was trying to work out deals with cable providers.

[Clarence]

Thank you. Someone with some common since.
Read the small print people.

[LackTrue4K]

this is there test pig, if this works. look forward to a new xbox720 (what ever its gana be called) WITH a subscription fee.....

[ChunkyLover53]

This is actually a decent idea if someone were looking to get into Xbox 360 gaming but were on a budget, its almost like a credit card, put a little down and pay over time. I can see this working to their advantage quite well.

[GraveLord]

So...only at Microsoft Stores?

[insomnium2]

This idea is quite ingenious I must say. I wish Sony did this too. I mean Cellphones do it, internet providers do it. I see no downside to this whatsoever. It provides an easier access (allthough naturally more expensive in the long run) to the console for people on a budget. It's a win-win people.

[stuna1]

Boy I tell you! Microsoft has really groomed it's fanbase to the point they'll accept anything! Just like with all contracts there are downsides, some will say it won't happen to me, but in the unlikely event you're not able to honor the contract or subscription! Say loss of income, catastrophic event or even a necessity to trim excess fat from you're expenses especially looking at todays financial climate. What then? Like any lawfully binding contract or, agreement you open yourself up to situations that could effect your credit and other things.

[kma2k]

so if you dont pay your $15 monthly fee do they come to your house & reposes the xbox?

[Queasy]

Your credit card will get charged a termination fee.

[GuyManDude]

They (like cell phones) will probably have an "early termination fee" that they'll charge to recoup costs.

[vikingland1]

hmmm financing an xbox and XBL. Interesting , I wonder if it will work.....

[mochachino]

Who is this stupid.

[WildStyles]

Leasing out consoles? Treating video game systems like cellphones? Jesus Christ, I didn't think this generation could get anymore worse. Imagine this shit being here next gen. Terrible and I'm not surprised Microsoft could be the company ushering this in.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

This is just another reason why I'm leaning more towards Playstation.

[KillerPwned]

This is just stupid bring monthly payments into consoles. Not surprised microsoft would do it first and I hope last.

You could easily just search around and get everything so much cheaper. Little thing called saving up your money a lot better than paying monthly payments.

[EffectO]

This is just a natural evolution.You have to pay for gold anyway,add few streaming services,2 year warranty and bam brand new xbox 50% cheaper.

Next Xbox can be $600 at retail and sold for like $200-$300 through contracts.Nobody would complain.

[Captain Tuttle]

Exactly. It's actually a great idea. Not for me but I'm sure tons of people will go this route.

It's just like a mobile carrier subsidizing a smart phone. Sony should have done this with the 3G Vita.

[EffectO]

Yeah,Sony really missed the ball with Vita.$99 Vita sounds much better.

[ger2396]

Wow, now you can have a payment plan to play online? That's crazy, and people will be more than willing to pay for this.

[Father Murder X]

Now if sony did this it would be the greatest thing since sliced bread. You guys are pathetic. Its an option if you don't want to do it they dont. fucking stupid fanboys!!!!!!

[KILLERAPP]

Heh, Simpsons: ‘Ohhhhh, I can’t afford $300 a month for a treadmill.’ Salesman: Could you afford it if we made it $10 a day? Homer: “Easily!”