E3 '08: 60GB Xbox 360 official, 20GB discounted

After weeks of rumors, Microsoft unveils new console model, prices older SKU to sell at $299--while supplies last.

After long declining to comment on "rumors and speculation" about the Xbox 360's $299 price cut--even when such "rumors" came from the Wall Street Journal--Microsoft has finally come clean. Today, the company formally announced that it is dropping the price of the 20GB Xbox 360 Pro to $299 in the US and Canada, down $50 from its prior $349 cost.



However, the price cut isn't as straightforward a story as had been assumed. In a move reminiscent of Sony's discounting and then discontinuing of the 60GB PlayStation 3 at last year's E3 Media & Business Summit, the $299 price point will be in effect only while supplies last. That's because Microsoft is phasing out the 20GB 360 and replacing it with a long-rumored new model that will have a 60GB hard drive. The 60GB 360 will go on sale in "early August" at the 20GB's former $349 price point.



In a press release titled "Xbox 360 Console Now Offers Triple the Storage," Xbox director of product management Albert Penello played up the fact that the 60GB 360 will cost as much as the 20GB used to. "We know consumers need more and more space to store the amazing digital content Xbox 360 offers, and we're giving it to them at no extra charge," he said.



Contrary to other rumors, Microsoft is not discounting its other two Xbox 360 models: the $279 hard-drive-less Arcade and the $449 120GB Elite. Today's move will likely have only a temporary effect on the current console-sales struggle, which has seen the PS3 running neck-and-neck with the 360 this year. Currently, Sony's non-backward-compatible 40GB PS3 costs $399, whereas the full-featured 80GB PS3 retails for $499. The cheapest and most popular console on the market remains the single-SKU Nintendo Wii, which retails for $249.



Microsoft UK has confirmed to GameSpot that the price cut and new model are not currently planned for Europe. A spokesperson said, "The 60GB Xbox 360 and the 20GB clearance sale are for the US only. We have not announced any changes in Xbox 360 offerings or pricing in Europe."

[Oggie]

Cool, but do you know that we have a thread for E3 announcements in the Off-Topic Gaming Section?

[Unforgiveing656]

Post moved Thru QUOTE I R SMART

[SasquatchSamuri]

awesome i might try to convice someone to buy one now

[Bullfrog Boxer]

good deal but when i got my "20g" drive it only had like 9g then i deleted everything and now the most ive gotten out of it is like 13g