Microsoft Cuts Xbox Price in Europe
By Steve on Monday, August 20th, 2007 at 11:02 PM PST In Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Games Industry, Hardware, Microsoft
Price cuts… price cuts… price cuts. It seems like the most popular topic this year has been console price cuts. Something I like to call the console-limbo dance.
It’s been well over a month since Microsoft has dropped the price down a notch on the 360 here in the US. I guess since the EU hasn’t been slapping MS with any fines during that time, MS has decided to show our European gaming friends some love (not that the EU has anything to do with that). According to the BBC, the new price drop will affect both the existing core and premium systems. Here is what we are to expect to happen come August 24th:
If you are within the UK:
Core: £179.99 (-£20)
Premium: £249.99 (-£30)
Elite: £299.99
The rest of Europe (in euros):
Core: 279.99 (-20)
Premium: 349.99 (-50)
Elite: 449.99
Still ridiculously overpriced compared to here in the US (I truly feel for you guys overseas). In case you hadn’t already noticed, MS are finally introducing the Elite version of the 360 in Europe. Why they took so long I do not know. However, as I’m sure you European gamers know, it is about damn time. Something in the BBC article that caught my eye:
“Microsoft said the price cuts would ‘open the door’ to more customers, expanding demand beyond the console’s core target market of young men.”
Well this is certainly true. There is definitely a market out there for the fairer sex. If the popularity of Guitar Hero is any indication, this bias of “only young males play games” can and will be shattered. After all, it is a multi-billion dollar industry that can only increase as more and more demographic coverage happens.
Via BBC
