Microsoft to offer subsidized $99 Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle next week

[Shawn Knight]

Microsoft will be releasing a subsidized version of their Xbox 360 gaming console as early as next week for $99. The bundle will include a 4GB hard drive and a Kinect motion sensing device at a monthly price of $15.

News of the deal comes via The Verge, citing anonymous sources. In addition to the Kinect, the monthly fee includes full access to Xbox Live Gold level content and possibly some extra streaming content or sports packages from cable providers.

Buyers will be required to sign a two year service agreement in order to purchase the bundle at the advertised price. Doing some quick math, the total deal works out to $459 after two years. Purchasing the items at full cost individually will set you back around $395 so expect to pay a 16 percent “finance charge” or roughly $65 for the subsidy.

The bundle will be sold in Microsoft Stores across the US, which the last time we checked, consisted of less than two dozen retail locations.

Subsidy aside, the two year agreement will essentially lock the user into the platform for the foreseeable future. The problem that could arise is if Microsoft launches the Xbox 720 within the next two years. It’s probably unlikely, but the last thing that a hardcore console gamer would want to do is have to make payments on a system they are no longer using.

Truth be told, this deal is likely targeting lower income families that may not be able to afford dropping nearly $400 for the bundle all at once.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/48429-microsoft-to-offer-subsidized-99-xbox-360-kinect-bundle-next-week.html

 

[m4a4]

I will bet that XBL gold will carry over to the new system anyways...

 

[jackal2687]

I think if someone needed a finance option, they wouldn't be considered a hardcore gamer. Maybe for a $5000 gamer rig, but a Xbox or PS3 seems to be pushing it. Xbox posted slower sales and hence they are making it more available to lower income families.

 

[Guest]

"The problem that could arise is if Microsoft launches the Xbox 720 within the next two years. It's probably unlikely"

Why is it unlikely? Sony is rumored to launch PS4 by end of 2013. Microsoft cannot afford to launch much later to remain competitive. Therefore, we should expect the next Xbox by Q1 2014 at the latest (which is less than 2 years away).

This deal is pretty awful considering you can buy PS3 and not have to pay any on-line subscription fee to play games online, use Netflix, etc. With PS3 sometimes on sale $199, that's $250 left over for games over the next 2 years compared to this deal. Sounds like a no brainer. It's no wonder that PS3 sales are slowly catching up to the 360s.

 

[Mindwraith]

"The problem that could arise is if Microsoft launches the Xbox 720 within the next two years. It's probably unlikely"

Why is it unlikely? Sony is rumored to launch PS4 by end of 2013. Microsoft cannot afford to launch much later to remain competitive. Therefore, we should expect the next Xbox by Q1 2014 at the latest (which is less than 2 years away).

There's no reason for them to release a new console as long as the kinect is selling well. Sony is already financially unstable so releasing the PS4 will be a massive gamble for them. Meanwhile Microsoft can just play it safe and happy by sticking with the 360 for the foreseeable future.

 

[Scshadow]

Damn... Its hard for me to imagine the stupid ****s that fall for schemes like this. If you don't have the money to dip into the savings and buy it outright... you'd best be spending your time getting a second job. And people wonder why they're poor...

 

[Guest]

One thing for sure if you have to go this route to get a 360 its a way better deal than national rent to own and other stores similar offer. But really if someone wants a 360 or ps3 cheap just find one used. A yard sale last summer i picked one up for 50 bucks .

 

[hitech0101]

"The problem that could arise is if Microsoft launches the Xbox 720 within the next two years. It's probably unlikely"

Why is it unlikely? Sony is rumored to launch PS4 by end of 2013. Microsoft cannot afford to launch much later to remain competitive. Therefore, we should expect the next Xbox by Q1 2014 at the latest (which is less than 2 years away).

There's no reason for them to release a new console as long as the kinect is selling well. Sony is already financially unstable so releasing the PS4 will be a massive gamble for them. Meanwhile Microsoft can just play it safe and happy by sticking with the 360 for the foreseeable future.

Can't be sitting relaxed what if ps4 just outdoes kinect MS gonna need to come up with something better quick, you don't just want to lose the market.

 

[Ranger12]

This is exactly whats wrong with America. We finance everything. It gives the poor the illusion that they can afford something they can't and it keeps them poor. And it's not Microsofts fault. It's whoever is naive enough to think this is a good deal.

 

[Guest]

Just another ploy to prey on those who are in a difficult position which prevents them from seeing how they get ripped off; horrible, horrible deal.

 

[Guest]

Only for credit freaks.

 

[likedamaster]

Look, listen, and learn Sony.

 

[Guest]

And why is this deal any different that what the mobile phone companies are doing?