Retail ads confirm $50 Xbox 360 price cut?

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 30, 2007 10:58 am PT

Source: Pictures of advance retail flyers posted on the forums of Modojo and Cheap Ass Gamer over the weekend. The official story: "We have no announcements to make on pricing at this time. While price matters, content is king. And no other system is offering all the games people want to play this...

Source: Pictures of advance retail flyers posted on the forums of Modojo and Cheap Ass Gamer over the weekend.

The official story: "We have no announcements to make on pricing at this time. While price matters, content is king. And no other system is offering all the games people want to play this holiday at a better price than Xbox 360. With games like Halo 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, Madden NFL 08, Guitar Hero III, and Rock Band to name a few, we have the greatest holiday lineup in video game history."--A Microsoft spokesman getting extra mileage from the response to the last 360 price-cut rumor.

What we heard: Earlier this month, a leaked newspaper ad for Circuit City broke the news that Sony planned to drop the price of the PlayStation 3 by $100. Several days later at the E3 Media and Business Summit, Sony went ahead and announced the 60GB PS3's new $499 price point--and its sudden discontinuation.

History could be repeating itself in near-record time, as leaks from the retail sector have been making the rounds, stating that an Xbox 360 price drop is imminent. Over the weekend, a Modojo forum-goer posted a scan of what is apparently a Wal-Mart ad promoting a $349 Premium Xbox 360. The small scan doesn't clearly give details about any possible price drop for the Core or Elite models of Microsoft's system.

The Modojo scan was later backed up by a scan of a Toys "R" Us ad from the Cheap Ass Gamer forums. That ad shows the Premium Xbox 360 selling for $349.99, but likewise gives no such indication about a drop for the Core or Elite systems.

Given the lead time on newspaper ads like these, it's likely both fliers are set to be distributed on Sunday, August 13. That would be the first ad-packed Sunday paper after August 8, the supposed price cut date reported on last week by the Hollywood Reporter.

It's clear that a number of retailers are expecting an Xbox 360 price cut next week, so much so that they're willing to buy print advertising for it. If that's the case, Microsoft almost certainly told them to expect a price cut, and when it would be fine to start promoting it. When Microsoft actually decides to announce it remains to be seen, although sources close to the software giant are grousing through back channels that the discounting's cover has already been blown.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus.

247 Comments

  • N8A

    Posted Aug 7, 2007 8:10 am PT

    seriously awesome. looks like i will finally get a 360. Blue Dragon here i come!

  • faithnomore311

    Posted Aug 3, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    And 50 bucks? That's a slap in the face. The 360 has been out for 2 years, and all it can manage is a 50 dollar cut? That's not even enough for ONE game! The Xbox cut was 100 dollars, to make it $199, that was 33% off, that's awesome, 50 bucks off 400, is....nothing, like 12%.

  • faithnomore311

    Posted Aug 3, 2007 12:05 pm PT

    With games like Halo 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, Madden NFL 08, Guitar Hero III, and Rock Band to name a few, we have the greatest holiday lineup in video game history.

    lol, this guy is an idiot. "greatest in video game history", cocky much? also try hell no. PLUS, 4 out of those 5 games are available for the PS3, and 3/5 are available for the Wii, so who cares? Without exclusivity, you can't have "the greatest lineup in video game history", what a cocky jerk.

  • rose_please

    Posted Aug 1, 2007 10:53 am PT

    GREAT!!! .... but i already have a Pro 360, 60gb PS3, and a Wii thats collecting dust... how does this benifit me? Microsoft has a great line up coming and this will help draw in anyone who hasnt bought one of the nextgen consoles for the holidays. i think this was a move to counter-act the PS3 price drop. Dont see any good holiday line ups for the wii. im currently selling my wii and games on ebay so i can purchase PS3 and 360 games.

  • wrestlemaniaw

    Posted Aug 1, 2007 3:08 am PT

    in order to win in this battle betwen( wii and ps3 and xbox360)Microsoft has to do this! (drop 50$)

  • Irve

    Posted Aug 1, 2007 2:41 am PT

    $ 50 ! ... that's not worth it ... over in the Uk the cheapest i've seen 360's selling for is £50 lower than retail with a copy of smackdown ( that's $100 ) ... i'm sure MS are happy to let demand stagnate until they have resolved their faulty hardware issue !

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    There should be a price cut because of its value compared to the ps3!

  • MarcusMuchgame

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 4:03 pm PT

    There should be a price cut since its not as much of a value compaired to the ps3

  • noobbreaker

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    it still sux to play 360 over computer.... look pc 360
    fear $30 $50
    Rainbow six vegas $20 $60
    GRAW1 $20 $30
    GRAW2 $50 $60
    Lost Planet $40 $60
    Dark Messiah $20 $60 (future)
    Internet play free $60
    the list continues
    plus games go down in about 3 months on the computer side... while 360 games take 9-12 months to go down in price

  • RedneckGamer87

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:58 pm PT

    Thats great thats it's cheaper.

  • Sp3ciAl0pz

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    Elite: $449.99
    Premium: $349.99
    Core: $200-somethin...

  • the_new_neo

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:43 pm PT

    lol i laughed when i read the 'best holiday lineup ever': ps3's list is so much better than that. Ms idiots lol

  • solidusdeus1

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:30 pm PT

    $50? big deal. As far as I have seen the price does not affect the other 2 models (core, elite) They're probably clearing up room for the new 360's with the Falcon chips in them and minus the possibility of rings of death.

  • Telekenesis123

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:11 pm PT

    They're being cloak and dagger because, Oh, theres only 100's of MILLIONS of dollars on the line, you know nothing TOO serious..........................knuk.

  • swat20

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 11:52 am PT

    i don't see y this needs to be such cloak and dagger crap from Microsoft. Sony dropped there price its pretty much a given that Microsoft would to. but this entire time they drag there heels saying oh no no we are sticking with are current price point. meanwhile behind closed doors they think that there being clever and that they are going to surprise us all on something thats so blantly obvious. this company needs to grow a brain when it comes to there marketing. don't get be wrong i own a 360 and am very happy with it. its just this stuff is totally ridiculous.

  • Glaciesflamma

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:54 am PT

    I saw this add at work yesterday. It's legit. Aug 12.

    Though, oddly enough, the add only indicates a price drop in the Premium model, so it's possible the other models might retain their current prices.

  • bdhoff

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:50 am PT

    I don't know why people argue. When priced drop consumers win. That simple.

  • packernation31

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:38 am PT

    Too bad I already have an Elite

  • Telekenesis123

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:30 am PT

    Nice, Microsoft wants to carry its momentum with its stellar lineup this season and not give Sony any breathing room, very effective. Once again people have to ask themselves, why ps3?

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:10 am PT

    Only $50!? Make it $100 M$!!
    Well something is better than nothing....

  • pinewood2

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 9:35 am PT

    I don't know why everyone overreacts about the rings of death. I've had my 360 almost a year now and I take care of it, but I'm not like super scared, I'll still throw it in the backseat of my car and let it slide around and it is still working fine. The only thing you have to be careful about is to not move it when there is a disk in it. And if you do get the rings of death all you have to do is live without it for like 5 weeks. OMG I can't handle no video games for FIVE WHOLE WEEKS!!!!

    And games being $60 isn't that big of a deal, I mean now that minimum wage is going up (which is the dumbest thing ever but that is a different debate) all you people who work for that will get paid more.

  • kb8618

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 9:32 am PT

    i predict another price drop near the holiday season, the $50 drop is just to sell the current model faster for when they new 360s with the 65nm CPUs come out, if not, then early next year. Either way, I'll wait till December anyways cuz they'll have the new models for sure, and will have a lower chance of overheating.

  • NandoSupes

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 9:28 am PT

    I'm sorry but they need to fix the hardware first,the 360 is a great console but hardware wise is terrible.stop the red lights of dead MS.

  • AceCometh

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 9:16 am PT

    Good move, even though the Xbox 360 was still cheaper than the PS3 after it's own price drop.

  • speedy2295

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 9:14 am PT

    Yay!!! i'm glad i waited.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 7:54 am PT

    So there will be a price cut. I still don't see this cut as having a large impact on sales though. 50 dollars doesn't seem like much.

  • PMatt722

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 6:22 am PT

    everyone will forget about sonys, eh discontinued system price cut once this happens

  • freerunner01

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 5:56 am PT

    its good marketing seeing as the PS3 is startin to sell a lot more consoles b/c of the price cut...now all tehy need is a price cut for the elite and their dominance could well be in sight...

  • dryden555

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 5:56 am PT

    50 bucks off the system is a good price cut. But the price of games (60bucks USA dollars) needs to come down to 50bucks, expecially when the length and content of current games is reducing and getting shorter.

  • CianMCL

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 5:04 am PT

    @fidothe thats nothin compared to what we pay here in ireland GoW cost us for the special ED €75 i think convert that to dollars and its well over 80 bucks.

    like the ps3 is nearly twice the price here.

    cant wait for leipzig RUMBLE

  • livinglegend305

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 4:48 am PT

    i think ill wait a little longer for a 360, hopefully by that time the 360 with the falcon chip will be out and all the 360's with the red ring issue will be sold

  • Dreski83

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 4:18 am PT

    Even tho such events were gonna happen no matter what, you can't help but think people who work in PR and marketing are searching for someone to bury for exposing the goodies
    I didn't feel the 360 needed a price, but at least now yer getting your money's worth for a decent price to boot... sweet deal indeed

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 3:43 am PT

    Better late then never .... not a big drop but would do fine .... and somebody said dropping price on games themselves ... i agree 100% boss !!!

  • Saphire_Kitsune

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 2:57 am PT

    Cool, but still out of my price range...

  • dg440

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 1:58 am PT

    I mean outlast lol.... Now I know your all going to say well this new chip is going to solve all the problems. I highly doubt Microsoft has even tested it for any length of time so it will probably only help a tiny amount and may keep your system lasting a few extra weeks before your rush off to the UPS Store.

  • dg440

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 1:54 am PT

    Big DEAL!!!!!! Why would you waste money on a highly Defective System flaw which will leave your Stupid X-box dead in a few months from Arrival. If I wanted an expensive thing to die quickly I would buy an American Car . Use your Brains and spend another 100 bucks on a system like the PS-3 which you know is going to probably work fine for 10-20 years without the rings of death.

  • FireWiner

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 1:46 am PT

    its the best holiday lineup because you get to play the same games on a more cheaper console

  • Comingcurse

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 1:21 am PT

    To all of you who will be buying a 360 now that there is a $50 price cut, I say this: Welcome! See you on Live!

  • djaferis

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 12:41 am PT

    How about a price drop in the EU. I'm not getting a 360 until there's a price drop.

  • SFMrAnderson

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 11:20 pm PT

    It shows Sony is catching up because of their recent decrease in price and now Microsoft is countering. However they are already in the hole with the system and on top of that went even deeper in the hole because of the extended warranty. Now they are losing an additional $50 a sale--that will add up quickly. Will it be enough? Time will tell...

  • ezrock212

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 11:11 pm PT

    The only piece of Microsoft hardware I would ever buy are cheap keyboards for my PC. The are great! Plus, they have a much better mortality rate than that game console they made. Seriously, I think they let some kid at JiffyLube engineer that console!

  • grafkhun

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 9:53 pm PT

    awesome... maybe i may get one now... maybe...

  • reactionsok

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 8:05 pm PT

    it makes sense that microsoft is doing this- they are scared

  • dimebag667

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 7:29 pm PT

    sounds ok, as long as it doesn't just break a few months later like so many have. I would gladly pay extra to know my hardware isn't gonna crap out on me

  • -Squirrel-

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 7:17 pm PT

    good good. now my Wii will have a friend.

  • goldeneye_basic

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 7:10 pm PT

    fidothe "Forget the price drops on these systems, lower the damn price on the games, $60 is painful. "

    I know as consumers we all want lower prices for games, but $60 is actually really cheap for a game. Nintendo games back in the 1980's were $50 brand new, and that's in 1980's money. I remember when NBA Jam and Street Fighter 2 were as high as $75 for the Super Nintendo in the early 1990's. All of those old games did not even come close to the development costs of today's games. Adjusting for inflation and development costs, we should be thankful video games don't cost over $100 today.

  • pinewood2

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    KnightsofRound you're right. That announcement didn't even bother to include Mass Effect or Bioshock which are probably going to be the best games this year, especially if you like action RPG games. We just have to wait to see how much Core drops and if it is $50 it will put it in Wii range.

  • automattig

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 5:49 pm PT

    I might finally get a 360 now, but I might also wait a while before i'm sure i don't get a janky 360

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