X360 to get REAL price drop by September?

[Darkatomz]

A reputable source and self-proclaimed Xbox insider says a second wave of 360 price cuts will arrive in time for the holidays.




According to an anonymous "mole" close to Ars Technica (with a reliable track record, by the way), Microsoft will reduce the price of Xbox 360 models in early September.

Provided the source makes good on his claims again, the Arcade model (no hard drive) will drop from $279 to an attractive $199. The Pro model (60GB) will revert from $349 to the current clearance price of $299, while the Elite model (120GB) will drop from $449 to $399.

Microsoft was not immediately available for comment when contacted by GamePro on Friday.

Gametrailers.com - The Source For Video Game Media


[update]

There it is (full size after the jump), according to VGChartz.com. (Thanks to eagle-eyed reader LoadedStatement). One of the site's members did a SKU inquiry on the 360 and got that screen, which shows the $199 price taking effect Sept. 7.

This apparently shows the SKU for the no-hard drive Arcade model. Other cuts are said to be coming for the Pro (60GB, $299) and Elite (120GB, $399), a development first reported by Ars Technica.


VGChartz follows the pic with a detailed analysis of what the new price points could mean for Microsoft, and the timing behind the price change. An excerpt:

The scheduling of the drop is telling as well. It takes place 1 week after Square Enix's 'Infinite Undiscovery' and 2 weeks before Harmonix/EA's 'Rock Band 2' - both exclusive to the Xbox 360 platform at the time of release and pricedrop (obviously, Rock Band 2 will ship in November for the other platforms).

The writer also peers into a crystal ball of sorts to guess at the production costs of the 360. Conclusion, down from $525 at launch to $140.15 to $182.19 today.

Proof of the $199 Xbox 360 Rumor


confirmed?

[Master Victor]

I saw this news early yesterday morning (4am)I was too lazy to post it . I hope its true because if it is I'll buy a elite and to god it don't die on me. BTW.I recommend reading the original source article its quite funny.
Original Source:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[thedeathscythe]

wtf, since when did a 360 cost more than ps3? that just blows a ton of financial arguments away...

if I got a 360, Id get it from colorwarepc.com (not advertising, Im saying they can make it pretty) and then mod them shits because for every console besides ps3, I dont buy games XD

[Darkatomz]

1st post updated.