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_Estevez4808d 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.

LOGICWINS4808d ago (Edited 4808d ago )

Another logical prediction comes true :)

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

gaffyh4808d ago

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

LOGICWINS4808d 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."

gaffyh4808d 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.

mushroomwig4808d 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.

LOGICWINS4808d 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.

gtxgamer24808d 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_4194808d ago (Edited 4808d 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.

solidjun54808d ago (Edited 4808d 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.

solidjun54808d ago (Edited 4808d ago )

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

IRetrouk4808d 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

solidjun54808d 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.

trenso14808d 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.

IRetrouk4808d 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 4808d ago
brish4808d ago (Edited 4808d 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_Estevez4808d ago (Edited 4808d 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.

Godchild10204808d 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.

brish4808d 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.

360GamerFG4808d 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??

kneon4808d 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.

flyingmunky4808d 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.

humbleopinion4808d 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 4808d ago
GuyManDude4808d ago (Edited 4808d 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_74808d 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.

flyingmunky4808d 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.

aviator1894808d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4808d ago
SlipperyMooseCakes4808d 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.

mcstorm4808d ago (Edited 4808d 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.

kneon4808d 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.

Summons754808d 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

Frankfurt4808d ago

Reading it wrong. Think "cellphone".

mushroomwig4808d 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.

Summons754808d ago

alright, must have missed that part thanks

Godchild10204808d 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.

4808d ago
Show all comments (63)
200°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
14h ago
lukasmain10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

9h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer9h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif7h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

6h ago
Obscure_Observer4h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

1dmj2h ago

He doesn’t have any sources lol

He also forgot that Sony does layoffs too

Hereandthere8h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

7h ago
Lightning777h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot6h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer884h ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer4h ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

Show all comments (19)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

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videogameschronicle.com
2d ago Replies(3)
Goodguy012d ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

2d ago
GamerRN1d 11h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga1d 10h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6381d 9h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein1d 7h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN1d 2h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 2h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 9h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

2d ago
Futureshark1d 20h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (66)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
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