CNN Calculates The Cost of Xbox 360 Gaming: $1,710

by Vladimir Cole { May 21st 2005 at 10:29PM }

xbox 360 and controller CNN is predicting that it's going to cost $1,710 to experience "next-gen" gaming with the Xbox 360. Here's how they figure:

$399: Xbox 360 Console (CNN says that this next generation is likely to come in at $100 more than previous generation-consoles)
$59.99: a single, top-shelf game (Publishers have been quoted as saying that their best titles are likely to cost $5 to $10 more than current-generation blockbuster titles)
$1000: a HD capable television
$250: surround sound system

Most game afficionados already have an HD-capable display, and many also have surround sound. At any rate, one could hardly call surround-sound a requirement. CNN has inflated the costs to grab attention to their headline, but the underlying point is still valid. Next-generation gaming is likely going to cost more.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Hal @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Computer gaming is expensive. So is golf. One thing I really like about the Xbox Marketplace idea is that I can learn more about the game I'm about to buy through downloadable demos. I will not forget my "Brute Force" experience. I was so psyched about that game and it was pretty terrible. Fifty big ones down the tubes. Microsoft seems to appreciate that gamers need more up-front information about games in order to make more informed purchases. $60 is a lot of scratch for most people. If Microsoft really does grasp that, I think they'll build a lot of loyalty.

Arch-360 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

we already have all that (well maybe not the hd tv but still. dumb ass CNN trying to be fags.

GyverX @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Wait, If I dont have a HD TV I cant play Xbox 360?

paintist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

That title is so incredibly misleading.

Chris Weber @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

#3: Highly Unlikely to incorrect. The Next Xbox will support 480i, otherwise known as standard TV. Check the specs again. The specs will most likely say that the Xbox360 supports up to 1080i, not only 1080i.

Tony @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Guys, just because you already own an HD capable TV, doesn't mean that it isn't part of the cost of the next-gen experience. Maybe you should use an amortized portion of the cost of your HD display in calculating the total cost. However, HD displays only recently came down in price, so the longer you've had your display, the more you likely payed for it.

Andrew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well, you could always not play games ?

Seriously.. I mean it's fun but spending over a grand for a game is ridiculous

I also think that there is too much hype over the new systems, thinking that because you don't own the new systems the older games will no longer be fun

This is the farthest from true.

I think you guys are too controlled by the media to think you have to own the new Xbox

Ever since TechTV was taken over by G4 that was the real decline of society.

Hanke @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

And "most" is an overstatement of videogame-playing HDTV owners. I just did a couple of quick Google searches and got about 10% for HDTV penetration and 35% for videogame systems in homes. Even at 100% overlap, that wouldn't be "most".

But, I am part of the demographic that is now considering an HD set more seriously because of the new consoles. Who knows how many that is?

David K @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I, for one, do not have HD display nor a surround system, but since PS3 announcement, I plan to buy an HDTV with HDMI and a surround sound system to build a home theater system out of the console. With Blu-ray and SACD, I really can't find a more perfect system for a home theater. But then, gosh, the next-gen gaming will indeed cost a lot.

Depherios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Can't believe they didn't add the cost of Xbox Live for a year to that!

Vladimir Cole @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well Xbox Live costs are inconclusive. Many people will opt for Xbox live silver and pay nothing (these might be people who currently pay). Xbox 360 will save these people money.

Rare Hare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

#3, that was my fear at first too but it says in the article:

"of course HD and surround sound are luxuries"

meaning that they are not required, they simply let us experience next gen gaming in all its glory. if they opted to (somehow) make all games ONLY playable on HD tv, they would isolate too many customers and it would hurt them badly.

so gamers like you and i can still enjoy games like Gears of War, just not in high definition :-D

klinko @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

CNN, now there's a reliable gaming news source.

Matt Baron @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Good thing I already shelled out for the HD tv... that scared me for a moment.

DannyMac @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

So, since the PS3 can support 2 HD capable monitors, PS3 gaming will cost 2,710. ;)

You know, this CNN article was pointless. What did they want to do, warn people that they might spend money? Someone goes out, buys all the equipment, and then are like, "OMG! I just spent $1,710! How'd I do that? If only someone told me!"

MattFantastic @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

$250 for surround sound? I have 5.1 surround, and it was $125. No hiss or anything at loud volumes. Why on earth would it be $250?

OMG WTF @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Maybe it's a SUPER HIGH-END 7.1 SURROUND SOUND system.

Marcus Fenix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I can't wait to pick up my new xbox360. My family is buying an HDTV anyway and we already have some bose speakers so it would be ideal to purchase a next-gen console.
#7, all of us here are gamers and we're not controled by the media. We just want to have the latest thing; It's human nature. Plus everyone wants to get a new console to further their gaming experience. It doesn't matter what you buy just at least get one and tell us what you think of it. Money is no object.People shell out thousands of dollars on their home theatres and its about time someone has made something to use the features of High-Definition.

sandro @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I think the Xbox 360 worth $259 and the PS3 worth $399 from waht I've seen so far. The PS3 stole the E3 hands down. I'm gamer I have all systems and will buy tem all again *-)

Bl1nK @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well remember when buying a HDTV...their is a difference between HD Ready and HD built in....HD ready would require a seperate tuner while the Built in TV already has the tuner in the tv.

Sassanix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I hope HD ready tv's get cheaper. around 200$'s hehe

Chris Weber @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I was kind of hoping that Sony would have built in HDTV decoding to the PS3. From earlier press reports in sounded like HDTV decoding was the sole reason that Toshiba joined IBM and Sony for the Cell processor project.

A lot of people buy a "HDTV ready" TV only to find out you can't what HDTV unless you have an HDTV decoder. (I think that's what they're called).

If you could make the marketing argument that this "game console" could also be your HDTV decoder then that's one more cost you can write off.

Davey-OH @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

yes it will cost exactly $399 to even consider buying an xbox 360, and if you want to buy one you MUST HAVE AN HDTV. . .not just any HDTV but one for exactly $1000 with tax and warranties. . .that's gonna be hard, thanks M$

SKEPT0S @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

You don't NEED a HDTV or the surround sound system for the Xbox 360 unless you want that added experience (which I don't - yet).

You can pay over a $1000 on the current generation of consoles (if you want HD/SS quality), it's not just an Xbox 360 thing.
This article is a bit misleading...

funkonaut @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

If you go for Xbox Live Silver, can you play online during the week for free? Or do you have to pay to play during the week, and can play during the weekends for free?

Indicator @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

"At any rate, one could hardly call surround-sound a requirement..."

If you're calling a $1000 HD display a "requirement" (which it isn't on the 360, just one of the supported options), then you can damn well bet that surround sound is a "requirement". A good quality audio system is as much an important part of the experience as a High Definition display.

Why do reviewers, gaming sites, and (worst of all) players continue to marginalize the importance of audio in next generation systems? Surely you can't be satisfied with stereo any more if you're viewing in 1080i?

ILuvMyX @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

RE: #20 You don't need an HDTV Tuner to "watch" any gaming console. The tuner is for broadcast television, not for plugging in your DVD Player or Game Systems. HD signals to an HD ready set will still be in HD regardless as long as the connections and signal stay in HD format.

RE: #22 I agree it would be nice for a console to also be an HDTV Tuner but the cost would go through the roof. There is a reason the sets with built in HD Tuners cost $1000 more then sets without the built in tuner.

Pureshooter @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

It's still less expensive than my personal favorite hobby of faberge egg baseball. While the surround sound isn't a necessity and the HD TV is already owned by many, they could've easily added the cost of additional controllers, memory cards, a hard drive, etc. Hell, might as well add the cost of a car to pick it up, your rent if you wanna play indoors, power and dsl bills, and an extra $150 an hour to play with a "friend".

ChupacabraX @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well I don't have HD, but all of us have to start considering it, gamer or not. Why?

Next year the FCC will force HD transmision unto everyone like so much cream filling. All tv transmissions will fall into this cathegory. I wouldn't buy HD for gaming alone, but with that kind of stimulation...

What i always say is: if you got enought money to do it and still eat why not?

Joe Coviello @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Oh, and they forgot $1500 for the couch, $500,000 for the house to put it in, and 5 bucks for the Doritos.

Morons.

Luke @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Well i dont have a hdtv at all. I just have a 19 inch t.v. with av input and i thought i could play my new xbox 360 on that. No one told me that i needed to go out and spend about a thousand dollars or more for a fucking hdtv. If i am going to spend that much i rather spend even more than that and get a fucking tv that is so expensive it has a surround sound all ready in the fucking tv if u know what i mean. If i cant play my new system on a regular 19 inch t.v. i am going to be the most pissed off person in the world and thats for sure. I have been waiting forever for this new system and i am bugeting my money right now which is like 5 months before it comes out just to get it and then i hear about this. No fucking way man. this is some bullshit if its true.