Shadow20002
11-06-2003, 04:22 PM
Microsoft on Monday announced a new holiday package for its Xbox video game console, dimming expectations for another price cut this year.
The new bundle packages an Xbox console with two games--LucasArt's "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and THQ's "Tetris Worlds Live"--and a two-month trial subscription to Xbox Live, the online service for the console. The package will sell for $180, the Xbox price Microsoft set in May to match price moves by competitor Sony for its PlayStation 2 console.
Many analysts had expected another round of price cuts late this year, in the wake of slowing overall sales for the video game market.
But console makers generally prefer bundling deals to straight price cuts, said Billy Pidgeon, an analyst for research firm Zelos Group. Packages help stimulate sales by providing more value to the consumer, he said, but they also serve other functions such as improving relationships with third-party software publishers and retailers. The Xbox Live trial should also help funnel new customers into the subscription-based service.
Source@ (http://news.com.com/2100-1043_3-5076473.html)
The new bundle packages an Xbox console with two games--LucasArt's "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and THQ's "Tetris Worlds Live"--and a two-month trial subscription to Xbox Live, the online service for the console. The package will sell for $180, the Xbox price Microsoft set in May to match price moves by competitor Sony for its PlayStation 2 console.
Many analysts had expected another round of price cuts late this year, in the wake of slowing overall sales for the video game market.
But console makers generally prefer bundling deals to straight price cuts, said Billy Pidgeon, an analyst for research firm Zelos Group. Packages help stimulate sales by providing more value to the consumer, he said, but they also serve other functions such as improving relationships with third-party software publishers and retailers. The Xbox Live trial should also help funnel new customers into the subscription-based service.
Source@ (http://news.com.com/2100-1043_3-5076473.html)