I thought about making the thread title "Microsoft tries to lose the console war", but didn't... still though, what in the world are they thinking? RAISING the price of their system, now?
I know this has been rumored for some time now, but still...
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168182.html
Quote:Following months of speculation, Microsoft has officially unveiled a new version of the Xbox 360. Called the Xbox 360 Elite (pictured), the console will go on sale in North America April 29, with European and Japanese launches later in the year. In the US, the console will retail for $479.
As previously hinted at on many forums and blogs, the new console will feature a variety of different features than the traditional Xbox 360. It will indeed feature a 120GB hard drive to better accommodate game downloads from Xbox Live Arcade and video content from Xbox Live Marketplace. The news coincides with the announcement of a new batch of television and movie partners who will offer content on the service.
The Xbox 360 Elite has a "premium black finish" which matches the wireless controller it comes with. (Controllers and rechargeable battery kits with the same hue will be sold separately.) The console will also sport a matching black wired headset and, as widely rumored, an HDMI output port. The console will come bundled with an HDMI cable as well as a component video cable.
One thing the console will not come with is a data transfer cable, as had been rumored. However, a standalone, $179 120GB drive for the console will be released alongside the Xbox 360 Elite bundled with a data-transfer cable. The cable will allow for the transfer of all Marketplace downloads and game saves from an existing 360 hard drive to the new hard drive.
According to Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing, the old hard drive will be blanked following the data transfer and can then be attached to any other 360. "The standalone drive is the main solution we're suggesting to existing Xbox 360 owners," he told GameSpot.
So what about HDMI-craving HDTV owners who want to get an Xbox 360 Elite and transfer their current XBLM content to it? In one word: wait. Penello said that Microsoft is "working on a solution" for transferring data from current 360s to Elites, but would not elaborate.
Hardware-wise, Penello said the Xbox 360 Elite has the same disc drive and processors as "current models." He also confirmed it would not have an internal HD-DVD drive, as some had suspected. "We don't want to segment the user base," he told GameSpot. He also confirmed that the external Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive would not be available in the Elite's black finish for the foreseeable future.
Another thing the new console won't have is Internet Protocol TV functionality, which Microsoft announced it was bringing to the 360 platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. "[IPTV] Trials will start this summer," said Penello, who didn't have a start date for the service.
As for the fate of the current hard drive-less $299 Core Xbox 360 and 360-equipped Pro Xbox 360 models, Pennello said they would continue to be offered. He also confirmed the new model will be a permanent addition to the 360 product line, and not a limited edition.
The fact the Elite is only $20 less than the 20GB PlayStation 3 and does not have next-generation video format playback did not go unnoticed by Sony. “We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an 'elite' experience, which is why we include an internal hard drive and HDMI output in every PS3 we sell, along with the 50 GB of storage capacity on a high definition Blu-ray disc," said Peter Dille, Sony Computer Entertainment's senior vice president of marketing. Sony also issued a series of talking points asserting that the release of the 360 Elite " further validates the PS3 business model, which [Microsoft] criticized at launch."
For more details on the Xbox 360 Elite, check out GameSpot Hardware's complete examination of the console.
Sony PR's reply...
Quote:We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an “elite” experience, which is why we include an internal hard drive and HDMI output in every PS3 we sell, along with the 50 GB of storage capacity on a high definition Blu-ray disc. Sony has been the strongest advocate of high definition as the future of next-generation gaming. This requires high-definition components, including HDMI output, and large storage devices to deliver and store all that rich and vivid HD content. Microsoft’s announcement today not only legitimizes Sony’s PS3 strategy, it moves us closer to adopting universal standards in the area of high definition gaming that will benefit game developers and ultimately the end user.
http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/03/sony...nds_t.html
I've been reading on this since it was only a rumor. At the time I had no reason to think much of it, being completely unconfirmed. With this, now we know.
Anyway, they aren't raising the price of existing models, just this new one.
Still, this is clearly an unprecedented console move. I got used to the multiple kits of the 360 and PS3 when I remembered the NES did something similar with about 20 different models including, among other things, running pads, ROB, the Zapper, extra controllers, and all manner of games. Of course, the console itself didn't have any fundamental differences. Even the 360's previous two models were, aside from added items in the box like the hard drive, completely identical. It was the PS3 that actually started making noticable unadjustable differences between the models. MS seems to be following that with their change. To be honest, I wasn't aware there was something so fundamentally different about the all-output port on the 360 and the nature of HDMI that they couldn't just make a cable adapter sold seperatly combined with a firmware update on the 360 itself to support the correct protocols. That 120GB hard drive is certainly a major step up in the right direction.
At any rate, different models or whatnot, it is odd they changed the whole color scheme for this. More to the point, even if it is a new model with new features, yes, it is an increased price. People were expecting the price to drop, not this, even if it is a new model. What I would have expected was to drop the "core" outright and then lower the price of the premium, then the elite could be released at the premium's price. They would keep their price advantage that way. I mean, wasn't the new model of motherboard meant to lower production costs? Is an HDMI port really that expensive? Nah, it would be the hard disk, but certainly I expected the price of making that thing to drop pretty well by this point.
Unless they lower prices, they're playing right into Sony's hands... sure, the $500 PS3 is impossible to find, but Sony can advertise about it anyway, and say:
"For $20 more, you get Wi-Fi, Blu-Ray, and FREE internet play! Compare that to $100 for Wi-Fi, $200 for HD-DVD (which, of course, is infinitely worse than our Blu-Ray), and $70 first year plus $50 a year after that for internet with the X360!"
Sure, you get 100GB more HDD space with the 360, but you can just add in a larger harddrive into the PS3, something Microsoft doesn't let you do easily... really, this makes no sense. They've already got some hidden pricing problems, as I've said before, but raising your price makes them much more obvious, and worse... they still do have a sticker price advantage, and $300 and $400 models, but people always look at the price of the top-price model first. Just look at how everyone says "The 360 is $400" and "The PS3 is $600"...
Not to mention, of course, that until they (and Sony) lower their prices, they won't get anywhere near the sales Nintendo is seeing wtih the Wii. Even with a lower price they still might not, but they can't even TRY until they lower the price.
I wonder if a point may come where MS just makes online play free on XBox Live. Certainly if Sony does that, and Nintendo eventually gets their online act together (they are behind Sony, and that's sad), and PC users already used to getting the online experience for free, MS's hand may be forced.
I was holding out on getting the 360 because of this, but I had assumed they would be getting rid of the Core model and this would be the same price as the premium is now. I'm definitely reconsidering getting this model, especially since it still doesn't have built in Wi-Fi. I still can't believe they charge a ridiculous $100 for Wi-Fi!
Or you can just buy the 120GB HDD by itsself... only $180!
I'll stick with the premium model.
It's sexy. I want it.
Microsoft will be able to charge for Live as long as it remains the best service available (I predict for quite a while). PSN is crap.
There was a rumor that retailers recently received stickers at $229 to be put on the Core model. Perhaps that's the announcement tonight?
Microsoft is supposed to be shifting over to the 65nm process midsummer...so I wouldn't expect a price drop across the board until then. It might not even happen though seeing as how MS wants to keep the price high as long as possible so they can make some money off their hardware. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Quote:Microsoft is supposed to be shifting over to the 65nm process midsummer...so I wouldn't expect a price drop across the board until then. It might not even happen though seeing as how MS wants to keep the price high as long as possible so they can make some money off their hardware. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I know their motivations, but that doesn't make it any less stupid... they can't win by raising the price! All they'll do is target even more exclusively the same hardcore gamer and tech-fan market which the X360 and PS3 already target...
Quote:Microsoft will be able to charge for Live as long as it remains the best service available (I predict for quite a while). PSN is crap.
I know PSN isn't that good and Nintendo's online service is one of the worst excuses for an "online" network ever concieved, but still, charging for what should be free just isn't right. And now they're extending that (if just in part) to PC gamers? No, that's wrong!
Sony's online network is slowly catching up to what MS has. Pretty soon they might actually come through on their promise of offering everything MS does, but without the yearly subscription. After all, at this point purchased content may well pay for it well enough.
Nintendo has a much longer way to go.
Quote:Nintendo has a much longer way to go.
Hmm... I'm not so sure about that. I mean, saying that they have a ways to go kind of implies that they intend to improve things, which, I would say, based on everything we know, they don't. They're perfectly happy with having the worst online "network" since the direct IP modem-to-modem days and have no interest in changing anything, no matter how blindingly obvious that the current system totally fails to adaquately serve their customers.
(And what was the last rumor I heard about Wii online? Game-specific friend codes. Yes, despite the system ones. We'll see, Nintendo, we'll see...)
Once again, any thread involving the words "Nintendo" and "online" have ABF bashing Nintendo's online framework. Although, I'm pretty sure he has yet to actually use said framework for game playing.
Hint: Mario Kart online play is FUN. Don't be a hater.
Quote:Although, I'm pretty sure he has yet to actually use said framework for game playing.
I've played a few games each of Metroid Prime: Hunters and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin online, actually (the two online DS games I own). Not exactly overly thrilling.
I've only played one DS game, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, in local multiplayer, but for comparison...
Local
-All six characters available, if you have unlocked them
-choice of three bossrun maps
-can easily go out and switch items and come back, since the person is right there
Online
-Jonathan and Charlotte only
-choice of maps? not sure
-to change equipment you'd need to quit out; if it's a random game, you probably won't get the same person again.
I've heard Mario Kart is the same, with some tracks offline-only, etc... and that isn't talking about the usual complaints I've said many times before about the total lack of options.
ABF's right. I want all the frills of PC online gaming in my consoles. It isn't enough just to, if I chant just right over the proper channeling circle, play an online game now and again when I can find others willing to put up with that interface.
Usability is everything.
Well, you should be very happy to hear the new Pokemon games feature voicechat.
Quote:I've heard Mario Kart is the same, with some tracks offline-only, etc... and that isn't talking about the usual complaints I've said many times before about the total lack of options.
Who needs options when it's FUN?
They really aren't raising the price, ABF, just introducing a new model to sit along side the already existing two models. Microsoft said it isn't replacing anything, and it is a permanent sku. They predict the Premium will still be the sweet spot for gamers. Besides, you do get an HDD with six times the storage capacity for only $80 more. I believe the Elite comes with component and HDMI cables, and a headset.
lol @ dmiller. It will be years before Sony's online network reaches the fidelity of Xbox Live. Hurdles include the fact that it's not built in to the PS3 like Live is to the 360, and the fact that developers aren't required to use it.
Anyone implying that consumers are going to be confused by all this is simply not giving people enough credit. Especially in a day when there are multiple configurations of mp3 players, cell phones, and TVs. Those markets seem to be doing just fine, no?
"Built in" is something they can do with firmware updates. Paco, you really don't need to rush in to defend your leige here. We're going to be critical of all the companies and there's really nothing you can do to stop it.
First: Obviously, I accidentally switched the 'online' and 'local' labels in that last post. Fixed. :)
Quote:They really aren't raising the price, ABF, just introducing a new model to sit along side the already existing two models. Microsoft said it isn't replacing anything, and it is a permanent sku. They predict the Premium will still be the sweet spot for gamers. Besides, you do get an HDD with six times the storage capacity for only $80 more. I believe the Elite comes with component and HDMI cables, and a headset.
lol @ dmiller. It will be years before Sony's online network reaches the fidelity of Xbox Live. Hurdles include the fact that it's not built in to the PS3 like Live is to the 360, and the fact that developers aren't required to use it.
Anyone implying that consumers are going to be confused by all this is simply not giving people enough credit. Especially in a day when there are multiple configurations of mp3 players, cell phones, and TVs. Those markets seem to be doing just fine, no?
First, price. The STAND ALONE 180GB HDD is $120. $180! You can get a 120GB HDD for $80! Where is that other $100 going? Straight to Microsoft's coffers, obviously...
Really, you don't get the point... $400 is the 'sweet spot' for gamers? $400? You really think that? That's insane! $400 is way too expensive for most people to afford. Add on wi-fi and the online fees and it's quite expensive... there's no way MS will hit the mass market it wants with those prices. Maybe it'd work in Europe (420 pounds for the PS3 and it sells decently well in England? Yeah.), we'll see, but not so much here... really, if they want to succeed on the level they desire, and knock Nintendo out of the top spot, the prices have to go DOWN, not up. Microsoft, as I said, seems to want to lose... lose to Nintendo in marketshare, and lose to Sony in public perception if Sony manages to show people what you get for your money from a PS3 compared to an X360.
And the thing is, MS could drop their price so easily... Sony can't for some time, but MS easily could. I know they want to finally make money off of their gaming business, but seriously... are we going to get TWO YEARS into the new console cycle with NO price drops? Has that ever happened before? Ridiculous.
Quote:Who needs options when it's FUN?
It's not fun for very long when you can't actually DO anything in the online network! Why in the world should I care about their online network when you can't talk to the other people, go into a lobby system where you can communicate with other players, create custom games with specific rules people can join, add people you meet in games to your friends list, and have stats the game keeps track of that you can hopefully access through a website as well as in the game (to mention just some of the great features of Battle.net, the service that, I would say, is still the gold standard for online networks)
Quote:ABF's right. I want all the frills of PC online gaming in my consoles. It isn't enough just to, if I chant just right over the proper channeling circle, play an online game now and again when I can find others willing to put up with that interface.
Usability is everything.
Yup. Castlevania online got boring really fast... of course, the local multiplayer got boring too, since it's boss-rush only and not the full game, but at least you can talk to the other person, try to get time records, work together (pretty much impossible without communication, which you can't do through the DS because Nintendo is stupid), use any of the characters, choose which map to play, etc...
(And as for Metroid... well, "everyone either cheats or is really good" is the general consensus as far as I know (only played online once, wasn't fun at all...). Both of these (Metroid & Castlevania) are good single player games, though, making up for the online modes.)
Seriously, GR, what you should be saying is "I really wish that Nintendo would put the effort into developing an online network, because with such online games they deserve it." With Nintendo's online network as unbelievably bad as it is, it doesn't matter how good the games are. When virtually every single thing you would actually want to do online isn't allowed, the service isn't worth using much, good games or no!
It's fun for a few minutes, but not much beyond that.
And I think the public agrees with me. Remember how early on Nintendo talked about how many people were connecting to the service, etc? Haven't heard much of THAT in quite a while, have we... and I'd bet that the reason why is because people abandoned it in boredom.
The very fact that we had to create a thread full of friend codes and constantly badger each other to play Mario Kart with merely a HOPE that maybe they would see the message while you were still online and willing to play speaks volumes on the work they need to do.
XBox Live is simply vastly superior. Nintendo has the games, and multiplayer Mario Kart is fun. However, even Nintendo knows how important an interface is. Consider just how much work they put into the user interface on the Wii alone (controller and system menu). Simply put, they just need to put that into the online network system should they eventually make a good one.
Beyond that, at least setting up the online connection is pretty easy, but really that's not something all that hard to begin with and the setup on other systems is fairly similar anyway.
Dark Jaguar Wrote:"Built in" is something they can do with firmware updates. Paco, you really don't need to rush in to defend your leige here. We're going to be critical of all the companies and there's really nothing you can do to stop it.
And then what about the fact that developers aren't required to do anything with PSN? Really, the whole thing is a mess as it is, and it's going to take years to iron it all out. I have no doubt they'll get there, but I wouldn't be so naive to think Microsoft is going to stand still with their service either. In other words, Live will always be ahead.
It's great that you're critical, but you're obviously grossly misinformed how PSN stacks up against Live.
A Black Falcon Wrote:First: Obviously, I accidentally switched the 'online' and 'local' labels in that last post. Fixed. :)
First, price. The STAND ALONE 180GB HDD is $120. $180! You can get a 120GB HDD for $80! Where is that other $100 going? Straight to Microsoft's coffers, obviously...
Really, you don't get the point... $400 is the 'sweet spot' for gamers? $400? You really think that? That's insane! $400 is way too expensive for most people to afford. Add on wi-fi and the online fees and it's quite expensive... there's no way MS will hit the mass market it wants with those prices. Maybe it'd work in Europe (420 pounds for the PS3 and it sells decently well in England? Yeah.), we'll see, but not so much here... really, if they want to succeed on the level they desire, and knock Nintendo out of the top spot, the prices have to go DOWN, not up. Microsoft, as I said, seems to want to lose... lose to Nintendo in marketshare, and lose to Sony in public perception if Sony manages to show people what you get for your money from a PS3 compared to an X360.
And the thing is, MS could drop their price so easily... Sony can't for some time, but MS easily could. I know they want to finally make money off of their gaming business, but seriously... are we going to get TWO YEARS into the new console cycle with NO price drops? Has that ever happened before? Ridiculous.
For early adopters, those willing to spend more money for the new consoles, yes, they think it's going to remain the sweet spot. Microsoft obviously hasn't started their effort to reach the masses as the lack of a price drop makes quite obvious. It will happen in time.
Wi-fi is so unnecessary. Online play is the only thing that costs money, using Live for everything else is free. Microsoft recently revealed that nearly 40% of those using XBox Live are using it for media purposes other than online game play. Live has become the number two provider of video and hd content behind iTunes...there's certainly a market that doesn't need to spend that $50 a year.
As a game console, Xbox 360 still pummels the PS3 in value.
Paco Wrote:Wi-fi is so unnecessary.
Totally disagree with you there. How many people have their main TV close enough to their router to connect it without a very long and very obvious cord? I would either have to drill a hole through the floor or run a cord down the stairs to connect to my
wireless router on the first floor. The routers included with standard cable and DSL setups are wireless for a reason. It is much more convenient, and forgoes the need to get an ethernet hub to connect all your devices to the router. I was all prepared to get the elite unit if it came with wireless, but there is no way I am paying that price on top of the $100 for the wireless adaptor. I am struggling with the thought of buying the premium model at the current price, but there is no way I am settling for the core. Microsoft has done so much right with online, but I am still surprised they missed the Wi-Fi boat.
http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/trailer_splash.html
GTA4 trailer is out!
by the looks of it , The game is going to be set in Liberty City or possibly other new england cities also, You will be a immigrating criminal from the former soviet union possibly Russian.
Quote:And then what about the fact that developers aren't required to do anything with PSN? Really, the whole thing is a mess as it is, and it's going to take years to iron it all out. I have no doubt they'll get there, but I wouldn't be so naive to think Microsoft is going to stand still with their service either. In other words, Live will always be ahead.
It's great that you're critical, but you're obviously grossly misinformed how PSN stacks up against Live.
You're wrong. While Sony has no standard for the PSN network, they allow publishers putting games there to have features like the ability to add people you meet ingame to your friends list, to talk to other people ingame, etc... while it doesn't match Xbox Live for sure, it's worlds away from what Nintendo is doing. I mean, currently, Wii games CANNOT have online play. And if they do, there's pretty much no way that they'll allow conversations with the other players, except MAYBE in friends-only games. And as for those friends codes... we'll see, but if they end up being game-specific as rumored, despite the system codes, I would be very far from surprised.
Quote:For early adopters, those willing to spend more money for the new consoles, yes, they think it's going to remain the sweet spot. Microsoft obviously hasn't started their effort to reach the masses as the lack of a price drop makes quite obvious. It will happen in time.
Wi-fi is so unnecessary. Online play is the only thing that costs money, using Live for everything else is free. Microsoft recently revealed that nearly 40% of those using XBox Live are using it for media purposes other than online game play. Live has become the number two provider of video and hd content behind iTunes...there's certainly a market that doesn't need to spend that $50 a year.
As a game console, Xbox 360 still pummels the PS3 in value.
It will happen in time... the point is, the X360 is a year and a half old now. They have released a few games aimed at the mass market. Sales won't get up to Nintendo's level anytime in the forseeable future. And they're raising the price? Really, I think that the number one group that this thing is going to sell to is rich current X360 owners who want a larger HDD and a black system... it won't help them win the console war.
Really, they should have both wired and wi-fi. Nintendo is stupid for not having wired, Microsoft is stupid for not having wi-fi... fixing Nintendo's stupidity is cheaper than fixing Microsoft's, but really, in both cases it should have been included, like Sony did.
And as for value, if you mean game selection, you are right. But if you mean price... no, not really. They're both overly expensive, but thanks to Xbox Live costs, the 360 is the more expensive one.
A Black Falcon Wrote:You're wrong. While Sony has no standard for the PSN network, they allow publishers putting games there to have features like the ability to add people you meet ingame to your friends list, to talk to other people ingame, etc... while it doesn't match Xbox Live for sure, it's worlds away from what Nintendo is doing. I mean, currently, Wii games CANNOT have online play. And if they do, there's pretty much no way that they'll allow conversations with the other players, except MAYBE in friends-only games. And as for those friends codes... we'll see, but if they end up being game-specific as rumored, despite the system codes, I would be very far from surprised.
I'm not wrong. Developers for the PS3 don't have to do anything regarding PSN. Microsoft made it mandatory that all 360 games are Live aware at the very least.
Quote:
It will happen in time... the point is, the X360 is a year and a half old now. They have released a few games aimed at the mass market. Sales won't get up to Nintendo's level anytime in the forseeable future. And they're raising the price? Really, I think that the number one group that this thing is going to sell to is rich current X360 owners who want a larger HDD and a black system... it won't help them win the console war.
Really, they should have both wired and wi-fi. Nintendo is stupid for not having wired, Microsoft is stupid for not having wi-fi... fixing Nintendo's stupidity is cheaper than fixing Microsoft's, but really, in both cases it should have been included, like Sony did.
And as for value, if you mean game selection, you are right. But if you mean price... no, not really. They're both overly expensive, but thanks to Xbox Live costs, the 360 is the more expensive one.
The 360 can have wi-fi. AFAIK, the Wii can't.
Again, online play is not necessary. You can access all the other features there are to offer for free.
Wi-fi is not necessary, and it shouldn't be included in every set because not everyone will have a need for it. Why make those who don't need it or want it pay for it?
Quote:I'm not wrong. Developers for the PS3 don't have to do anything regarding PSN. Microsoft made it mandatory that all 360 games are Live aware at the very least.
Oh come on... when you compare what Sony does for online policy to what Nintendo does, Sony looks really, really good. Microsoft has better? Of course! That's not the point! The point is that Sony's, flawed as it is, is almost infinitely superior to Nintendo's online network. Really, even if PS3 games aren't required to be online- aware, at least if developers want to they CAN make their games online on that platform, with a decent, if not fanastic, online featureset...
Quote:The 360 can have wi-fi. AFAIK, the Wii can't. (...)
Wi-fi is not necessary, and it shouldn't be included in every set because not everyone will have a need for it. Why make those who don't need it or want it pay for it?
Wha... huh? Wii IS wi-fi. You only get wired if you buy the wired adaptor ($40). Out of the box, it's wi-fi or nothing. (and I know I have complained about that before...)
Quote:Again, online play is not necessary. You can access all the other features there are to offer for free.
What do you mean by this?
A Black Falcon Wrote:Oh come on... when you compare what Sony does for online policy to what Nintendo does, Sony looks really, really good. Microsoft has better? Of course! That's not the point! The point is that Sony's, flawed as it is, is almost infinitely superior to Nintendo's online network. Really, even if PS3 games aren't required to be online- aware, at least if developers want to they CAN make their games online on that platform, with a decent, if not fanastic, online featureset...
I know nothing about Nintendo's online plans. I haven't used it yet.
Yeah, but my point is that PSN still has a way to go before it has Live in its sights. Until then, Microsoft can and likely will continue to charge. Sony can't charge because their service isn't worth much at this point.
Quote:Wha... huh? Wii IS wi-fi. You only get wired if you buy the wired adaptor ($40). Out of the box, it's wi-fi or nothing. (and I know I have complained about that before...)
Sorry, I meant wired. I wasn't aware there was an adaptor. In any case, it's still not necessary for everyone. It should stay as an added cost.
Quote:What do you mean by this?
There is Live Silver (free) and Live Gold (subscription). Live Silver allows you to do everything except online game play. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to play against others online. My friends has been on Live and is happy with it just having access to all the media and arcade games. When I get mine, I highly doubt I'll subscribe- I don't like playing against people online so I can cut the cost of Live, and I won't need Wi-fi either so I can cut that cost as well.
My real problem with the Wi-Fi adaptor is the extremely high cost. The wired adaptor for the Wii costs $40, which is high, but not horrible. A Wi-Fi adaptor is a pretty simple piece of hardware, and there is no way it approaches $100. I've been adding up the costs of an XBox 360 purchase over the past month since I'm about to get one and I'm realizing that it is getting tantalizingly close to the price of a PS3, which I have ignored because of its high price. I nearly reconsidered my choice, but the 360 has the better library at this point so I stuck with it.
DMiller Wrote:My real problem with the Wi-Fi adaptor is the extremely high cost. The wired adaptor for the Wii costs $40, which is high, but not horrible. A Wi-Fi adaptor is a pretty simple piece of hardware, and there is no way it approaches $100. I've been adding up the costs of an XBox 360 purchase over the past month since I'm about to get one and I'm realizing that it is getting tantalizingly close to the price of a PS3, which I have ignored because of its high price. I nearly reconsidered my choice, but the 360 has the better library at this point so I stuck with it.
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DGL-3420-Wi...B0006TIA0M
http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WGA54G-Wir...B00009X6DT
Not too much cheaper, but it'll save you $20.
I will concede that Microsoft is raping their consumers with accessory prices.
A Black Falcon Wrote:http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/04...elite.html
How shocking... hardcore gamers aren't too thrilled with the X360 Elite? Really? :)
... still though, a lot of people did say that they'd maybe think about getting one...
The timing is really awkward, but it will sell.
It might sell, but is it worth it when it gets you this much bad press?
A Black Falcon Wrote:It might sell, but is it worth it when it gets you this much bad press?
We'll have to wait and see what the ramifications are, but I'm inclined to say Microsoft will pull through this just fine. Think back to all the backlash about no standard hdd, two skus, launching only four years after the original, going with DVD...they turned out to be non-issues despite the enormous amount of fuss.
I finally settled on getting the premium model, but I don't think I'm going to get the wireless adaptor right away. It's kind of weird to get a 360 and not go online with it, but I'm not paying $100 just to buy things from MS and brag about my achievements. I'm moving this summer so I'll probably be in a better situation to go wired with the 360.