Xbox 360 Price Cut Tomorrow, 80GB PS3 Launche...

Xbox 360 Price Cut Tomorrow, 80GB PS3 Launched In U.S.

The price cut predicted last week for the Xbox 360 console (story) is coming even sooner than expected, as Microsoft announced that the new prices will be applied in the U.S. beginning tomorrow, August 8. They perfectly match the prices previously advertised by several retailers, with the largest price-cut - of $50 - being for the standard Xbox 360 Pro (20GB) model. So, as of tomorrow an Xbox 360 Pro will cost just $349.99, the Core model will go down to $279.99, and the Elite (120GB) model to $449.99. Futhermore, Microsoft will launch a special model in September, the "Xbox 360 Halo 3 Special Edition Console", priced at $399.99, with a Spartan green-and-gold finish, matching wireless controller, 20GB HDD, Headset, Play and Charge Kit, and other thingies.

Unfortunately, on the European front it's still peace and quiet. Questioned by GI.biz this morning, a Microsoft UK spokesperson said that the announcement specifically refers to the U.S., and that they haven't announced any pricing changes in Europe. Maybe they'll do it at this month's Leipzig GC, though.

Another reason of joy for North-Americans is also offered by Sony, who launched the PlayStation 3 model with an 80GB HDD in the U.S. and Canada yesterday, at a price of $599, which also includes the racing game MotorStorm. As a reminder, one month ago the 60GB PS3 model became $100 cheaper, down to $499 (story), and Sony claims that since then sales have jumped 113%.

And again, there's nothing but bad news for Europeans from Sony, too. In theory, the "PS3 Starter Pack" promotion (which includes the console, an extra Sixaxis controller, and a choice of two first-party games) "will continue for the foreseeable future", according to Sony's statement for GI.biz. In practice, however, some unhappy customers who found out about this promotion too late, and wasted their money too early, received a completely different response from Sony:

"I was sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with regards to the launch of the PlayStation 3 Starter Pack. I would like to take this opportunity to stress that this is a summer promotion and that due to the nature of this offer it will end on a predetermined date."

In other words, the promotion could be terminated just as unexpectedly as it began, at the end of August.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)