Following Microsoft’s launch of a renovated $300 Xbox 360 at the recent E3 conference, we have heard a persistent rumor that claimed a cheaper $199 version was on its way. Apparently, Microsoft has now confirmed this rumor.
2010 Xbox 360
Of course, there has not been a public confirmation, but several blogs are referring to an internal Q&A paper that mentions a $199 “Arcade” configuration of the Xbox 360 that may be released in fall of this year, possibly coinciding with the release of the Kinect sensor. There is no information how this Arcade device will be configured, but it is reasonable to assume that the console could integrate a cheap Flash chip, similar to the configuration in the current Arcade, which is now selling for $149 (or $99). However, we would assume that the capacity of the Flash chip will increase from the current 256 MB. 2 to 4 GB capacity, versus the 250 GB hard drive in the new Xbox 360, should be possible.
The Xbox 360 Slim Arcade is a rumor at this time and, as far as we know, no clear evidence that the device is in fact planned for a Fall release has been posted. But Microsoft needs a lower-priced console against the Wii and an Arcade version would certainly make sense – just like a Kinect bundle version that should sell for somewhere between $399 and $449.
If we were to make predictions which of the new controllers, Kinect or Move, is likely to win this Christmas season, we could either talk to analysts who may or may not have reliable sell-through estimates that point to potential sales, or you could look at current pre-orders, for example at Amazon (we did hear that analysts are currently sifting through papers and consulting their crystal balls how many Moves and Kinect will be sold in Q4 and numbers should be available soon.)
The new Xbox 360 currently leads the bestsellers in the video game category, followed by Kinect (which is offered for $149.99 despite the fact that Microsoft has not announced the price of Kinect.) Sony’s basic Playstation 3 Move bundle (controller, Eye, Sports Champions game; $99) is ranked 40th. The navigation controller follows two spots further down. The standalone Move controller is listed at #55. The Move controller will be released on September 19. Kinect will launch on November 4.
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