No price cut for Xbox 360
Says man in the know.
Those rumours that an Xbox 360 price cut is on the way just haven't stopped flying in recent weeks - but now John Porcaro, group manager of PR and communications for Microsoft US, has shot them down once again.
In a post on his blog, Porcaro wrote: "As you’re all aware, there have been rumors of a price drop for the Xbox 360 coming along later this year. The official word from folks in the know is that there are currently no plans for a price drop this fall."
"If you’ve been holding off picking one up because you think they'll be cheaper in the future, or they've been hard to find, or because you’re too busy catching up on past episodes of Lost, wait no longer," he added, before highlighting the Xbox 360's features and the range of games available for the console.
Porcaro also took a potshot at the PlayStation 3, which is due to launch this November priced at $499 / $599. "Just think... This holiday as some people go broke because they're forced to buy movie technology with their game console, you'll be choosing from 160 games, including Gears of War, Madden 07, Splinter Cell, Forza 2, and lots more."
Not forgetting Mass Effect, Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto "later on", Porcaro added.
His comments echo those made to our sister site, GamesIndustry.biz earlier this year by Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis, who said that the PS3's price point "forces the consumer down a choice path in a way that I'm surprised to see".
He said Sony's decision had removed pressure on Microsoft to cut the cost of the Xbox 360 by the end of 2006, stating: "We're confident that we are at the right price at the right time and will remain so."