Why's the original Xbox cost more now?
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Feb 6th 2006 at 2:00PM }
A reader dropped us a tip asking the following good
question. Because the question and answer shed light on the console wars, we're sharing it with you.
"I recently decided that I would like to have an Xbox for my upstairs bedroom so that my fiancée can play games that she enjoys such as DDR and Psychonauts.... I have since discovered from numerous store managers that Microsoft has discontinued the core version of the original Xbox. Now instead of paying $149.99 for an Xbox, as one has been able to do since 2003, it is necessary to drop $179.99 for an Xbox packaged with Forza Motor Sport (a game made by Microsoft).... The real kicker is that the only way to buy an Xbox now is to pay $30 more than the system cost for the past 2-3 years just because it is packaged with a first party game that retails for $19.99 (new).... Since when did console makers RAISE the prices of consoles towards the end of their cycle?"
Good question. We searched Amazon, Buy.com, and Wal-Mart.com and could not find an original Xbox console for less than $170. All of the consoles found at these sites (except used consoles offered through Amazon.com third-party sellers) came bundled with Forza. Why has Microsoft chosen to restrict (or discontinue) the supply of core Xbox systems at exactly the moment when console manufacturers have tended to drop prices?
There are a few reasons why we imagine Microsoft might pursue what appears to be a perverse strategy.
The Xbox is installed in fewer than 25 million homes worldwide versus the PlayStation's estimated install base of around 100 million. At this point, no sane third-party developer or publisher is going to release an exclusive for the Xbox given the lower overall demand for Xbox games. It's also unlikely that Microsoft is going to force its first-party developers to pour resources into a last-gen console at a time when the Xbox 360 needs and requires 100% of internal support. Given the situation, the game is no longer about Xbox vs. PS2 sales. Any additional support of the original Xbox in the form of games or even price subsidies would be counterproductive.
So forget the idea that Microsoft will do anything that supports the Xbox. Heck, they're going to actively discourage Xbox sales by bumping up the price so that the Xbox 360 looks even more attractive relative to an Xbox purchase. Every prior-gen system sold at this point is lost walletshare that could have been dedicated towards next-gen gaming. The price increase is a great way to encourage recalcitrant gamers to consider upgrading to an Xbox 360.
There's some evidence that Microsoft's strategy is working. The biggest games publishers are having difficulty making money right now because demand for previous-generation gaming has dried up as gamers increasingly look toward the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution. This shift in consumer demand forces developers and publishers to jettison or retool prior-gen projects and turn more squarely towards the future--a future that is so far dominated by the only console on store shelves: the Xbox 360.
Expect Nintendo and Sony to do what they can to keep gamers suckling at the teat of prior-gen systems. Neither Sony nor Nintendo are eager to cut off a revenue stream before they've launched their respective next-gen consoles. If they can keep gamers happy for just a little bit longer, they have a better chance of keeping those gamers as customers when their next-generation systems finally launch later this year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
OpnickC @ Feb 6th 2006 2:18PM
Well, their strategy seems to be working. I had been thinking about getting an XBOX, expecting a price DROP. Now I'll probably just save up for a next gen offering, whether it be a 360 or a revolution.
I know someone else who was thinking of getting one too. I'll be curious to see that person's reaction to this news.
Ryan de michigan @ Feb 6th 2006 2:19PM
Thieves,
Michael @ Feb 6th 2006 2:19PM
I was wondering the exact same thing a week ago and posted on a couple of forums asking about it, no one could explain it. I ended up getting one off Craigslist...$180 for a last-gen system is ridiculous.
Tony @ Feb 6th 2006 2:20PM
Weird. At least Forza is an excellent game. I'm under the impression it didn't do so well, which is a shame.
DJ @ Feb 6th 2006 2:22PM
Very interesting. Circuit city has it for $150 still though: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Microsoft-Xbox-Video-Game-System/sem/rpsm/oid/87658/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
All other places were anywhere from $175 to even $230.
JodyAnthony @ Feb 6th 2006 2:22PM
its cause micro$oft sux lol lol
but seriously, you make a good point, it would actually be kind of a smart move, in a business sense.
In a consumer sense however, this is bullshit.
dogbowl @ Feb 6th 2006 2:24PM
I think its because Microsoft was losing too much money on the original xbox. That would also help explain why the 360 was rushed out the door so early.
Josh @ Feb 6th 2006 2:27PM
And now, especially after Zelda is released, Nintendo will regain the number 2 spot worldwide as Gamecube sales surpass Xbox 1 sales.
RocketSeason @ Feb 6th 2006 2:31PM
Just go buy it used at the pawn shop. Simple.
Your argument for why it is higher makes sense. But I have found that the VAST majority of people buying PS1s when the PS2 was so popular were people with young children.
They wanted a cheap game system that they could stick in the play room with some games. They don't care about the latest title or support or any of that junk.
To me, it seems like x-box is missing out on a big oppertunity to make young gamers (and their parents) x-box fans.
-Matt
SuicideNinja @ Feb 6th 2006 2:31PM
I want to say it's a bad idea because many consumers may want to pick up an Xbox now that they "should" be cheaper.
On the other hand, I also know resident PS2'ers that want an Xbox, but convince themselves otherwise because they could just purchase an Xbox 360 instead.
Continuing along these lines, the backwards compatibility team may be unknowningly pressed to make more updates to ensure that these consumers will be able to pick up last gen games and play them on the Xbox 360. There is probably quite a few PS2 owners that have missed out on some Xbox exclusives and the quality that the Xbox versions of multiconsole games.
There really isn't a reliable way to predict the future of converting gamers to the Xbox line. I'm still rooting for Microsoft.
SuicideNinja @ Feb 6th 2006 2:35PM
I want to say it's a bad idea because many consumers may want to pick up an Xbox now that they "should" be cheaper.
On the other hand, I also know resident PS2'ers that want an Xbox, but convince themselves otherwise because they could just purchase an Xbox 360 instead.
Continuing along these lines, the backwards compatibility team may be unknowningly pressed to make more updates to ensure that these consumers will be able to pick up last gen games and play them on the Xbox 360. There is probably quite a few PS2 owners that have missed out on some Xbox exclusives and the quality that the Xbox versions of multiconsole games.
There really isn't a reliable way to predict the future of converting gamers to the Xbox line. I'm still rooting for Microsoft.
Josh @ Feb 6th 2006 2:39PM
Expect Nintendo to regain the #2 position worldwide for Gamecube, especially when Zelda is released, since Microsoft has effectively killed off any incentive to buy the original Xbox.
The one @ Feb 6th 2006 2:40PM
GOD!!! this site is so egregiously biased. Why try and make microsoft loose money by saying something like that. The real reason why MS is doing it is because its the only way they can continue supporting the xbox1 without out loosing to much money, not because they dont want you to buy it.To say they dont want you to buy it is rediculous.The only reason why the xbox1 was the same price as the ps2 is because it had to compete with ps2 till the 360 came out, but in reality the xbox1 cost more money to make than the ps2 because its more advanced (much more advanced than ps3 is to the 360). But now that the xbox1 doesnt have to compete with the ps2 they can raise the price. By the way I think its still a good deal at $179.
m3mnoch @ Feb 6th 2006 2:41PM
maybe it's a play to get at least a little bit of cash out of 'second system' purchases. not like anyone's going to forego an xbox and get a ps2. everyone already has one!
m3mnoch.
Lekko @ Feb 6th 2006 2:42PM
They're probably bundling it with software so that they make more money back off of it. Besides, if the rumors are true, Microsoft is no longer manufacturing the original Xbox anymore, so they have to make money back somehow. Although forcing the consumer to buy a game they might not want is a tad bit harsh if you ask me. Especially at the inflated price.
ill trooper @ Feb 6th 2006 2:47PM
Um... I suspect it may have something to do with Microsoft losing $4 billion dollars on the XBox over the last few years and slowing the money hemorrhage, and also wanting to push people towards the 360. If they could find one, of course.
As for Forza, well - clear the warehouses? I don't know.
I'm not trying to flame-bait here, just thinking about those losses and how to stitch it down if I were Microsoft...
jACK @ Feb 6th 2006 2:55PM
Or perhaps, those are the bundles that are still available (seem to recall that MS quit manufacturing these). Odd how I just used an online price engine to find dozens of original Xbox units for sale under $150, some as affordable as $100 new and in stock.
ill trooper @ Feb 6th 2006 2:55PM
"GOD!!! this site is so egregiously biased. Why try and make microsoft loose money by saying something like that."
Micrsoft has personally noted your concerns and thanks you - you will be receiving a free 'Every 10 Minutes Mountain Dew/360' knit-stocking hat in the mail.
GunForHire @ Feb 6th 2006 3:00PM
The original Xbox on it's own is still available in the store I work at in the UK and for the same price it has been at for the past 4 or 5 months, so mabey this applies to the US only?
Princess Zelda @ Feb 6th 2006 3:03PM
The rumor I read was that the Microsoft has stopped all production on the orignal Xbox. If you wanted a new Xbox not a used one you might want to buy one soon. Kinda sad because a lot of late adopters are waiting for the $99 Xbox. But I had a feeling Microsoft couldn't sell the Xbox for $99 with the hard drive ect.
I was lucky this Chistmas I was able to get a Orginal Xbox with Forza and 2 months of Xbox Live for $179 Canadian. Just the system sells for $199-$219 in Canada. I've had a lot of fun with forza over the last month. Well, when I could get the controller out of my husbands hands."But it's my Christmas gift can't I have a turn."
Fuzz @ Feb 6th 2006 3:04PM
It's simple. They still lose money on each Xbox, but by bundling it with a game, the cost fo physical hardware is countered by "free" software so they probably break even this way. This is probably the only way to keep the Xbox alive, because it doesn't make sense for it to keep losing money, especially if people aare buying a second xbox, or replacing a broken one, which results in no software sales to float the cost of hardware.
Lets remember, though, this is their own fault by not understanding how to deisgn a console that can be made cheap late in it's lifecycle. So lets not not reward them for their mistakes, lest they repeat them.
Ryan de michigan @ Feb 6th 2006 3:08PM
GOD!!!
are you 12? I'm pretty sure you are 12
DekaGreen @ Feb 6th 2006 3:14PM
Working at a game store has shown me many things. For one, the corporate office cares little about demographic situations. Two, customers to this day STILL go in to buy games for the PS1. Their affordable price attracts price-conscious gamers and parents, and to me, Microsoft's strategy is risky prospect. It divides a line between the people who throw money around like candy, and those who put thought into every dollar spent. Microsoft, however, has a flawed system. No matter how flashy the 360 is, if they don't minimize the amount of problems occurring and come up with a solid line of games soon, no amount of hype is going to save it.
On a completely unrelated note, I do believe that Joystiq exists to report news to the benefit of GAMERS, not the video game companies themselves. Regardless of your opinion on Joystiq's reporting style, no matter how fanboy-ish it may be, I'd prefer this to having today's "popular product" rammed down my throat at every turn.
Oh, and did you hear about the rumors of Marketing Shills posting on websites under an assumed and established identity in order to promote positive opinions on certain consoles...? Pretty shady, don't you think?
thomas @ Feb 6th 2006 3:14PM
hah, here in norway which is usually way more expensive than the us, all the shops are selling xboxes for 99$ . . . . . . . . . . .
thomas @ Feb 6th 2006 3:19PM
hah, here in norway which is usually way more expensive than the us, all the shops are selling xboxes for 99$ . . . . . . . . . . .
epobirs @ Feb 6th 2006 3:21PM
Everybody is missing one important factor. The original Xbox has stopped being manufactured because it became univiable to continue, not for lack of ongoing demand for the product. Nvidia delivered its last order of chips to Microsoft last August and stated then it doesn't expect to produce any more. All of Xbox units left in the retail channel or in MS' warehouses are the last of the new stock there will ever be.
This goes back to Microsoft's initial error in the way they originally designed the Xbox. Since they were in a great hurry to have the hardware established they chose to go with a modified version of a PC chipset. For Nvidia this meant an enhanced version of the GeForce 3 (all of the enhancements became part of the GeForce 4 eventually) and the MCP I/O and audio processor from Nvidia's then upcoming PC motherboard chipset. The nature of this relationship meant that Nvidia continue to own all of the proprietary technology within the chips. Rather than selling the design to Microsoft they were instead selling them the chips on a merchant basis. This is pretty much unheard of in the console business for custom chips with a single supplier. (CPUs like the standard M68K found in the Sega Genesis aren't a problem since they serve a large market rather than a single customer.) This put MS and Nvidia at odds. MS needed to cut costs on the Xbox while Nvidia, acting as a middleman between the foundry and MS, wanted to sell the chips at a profit. This meant adding a layer of cost above what there would be if MS were dealing directly with the foundry.
This also meant Nvidia wasn't motivated to invest in producing updated versions of the chips using smaller process nodes. While the PS2 chipset started at .25 micron and has been brought down to 90 nm (also integrating the EE and GS onto a single die) the Xbox chips remained at .18 micron. Smaller versions would have been much lower cost and drew much less power and produce far less waste heat. Not only couldn't MS reduce cost, this also meant they couldn't design a smaller version of the console that would have had wider market appeal. Some of the Xbox's manufacturing costs went down over its life but not nearly as much as it would if it had followed the normal course of console life cycles. Such is the price of rushing to market. (Unlike what some people say about the 360 this was very true of the original Xbox.)
But consider Forza Motorsport. Microsoft owns it outright. They could give away on streetcorners and their only cost would be for the disc, box, and manual. They wouldn't ever pay royalties on manufacturing as third party publishers do. So their cost for bundling it with the Xbox is just a few dollars but its value to the Xbox buyer is far greater. This makes for a great reduction in the loss incurred for each remaining Xbox sold and increases the chance of that unit becoming profitable as its owner purchases games. Assuming those purchases are new new rather than used.
It's as simple as that. Microsoft is just trying to reduce the losses for the last few Xbox sales.
Mike @ Feb 6th 2006 3:28PM
Why not buy one used? There are tons in used game shop... not to mention ebay. A quick check on ebay reveals lots of systems with games for under $120. Vanilla core units are fetching ~$100.
m3mnoch @ Feb 6th 2006 3:28PM
ill. good lord that was funny. heh.
i have noticed, tho, there are two kinds of people in this world. those who spell the word "rediculous" and those who spell it "ridiculous."
evidently, the former group also have a bunch of knit stocking caps, keychains and water bottles.
m3mnoch.
Todd H. @ Feb 6th 2006 3:31PM
Get a refurb from Ebay, would be a lot cheaper than getting it from a store. I paid $200 before Christmas and got 13 great games...
The one @ Feb 6th 2006 3:35PM
to Fuzz.
there is no way to make the xbox1 smaller like the ps2 because the xbox has a hard drive genius.
and to you guys that are making fun of me calling me 12yo and such, you probably work for this site. I made you look stupid didnt I?, ofcourse i did thats why you dont have a rebuttal besides making fun of me. You are the ones who are acting inmature.
epobirs @ Feb 6th 2006 3:36PM
Everybody is missing one important factor. The original Xbox has stopped being manufactured because it became univiable to continue, not for lack of ongoing demand for the product. Nvidia delivered its last order of chips to Microsoft last August and stated then it doesn't expect to produce any more. All of Xbox units left in the retail channel or in MS' warehouses are the last of the new stock there will ever be.
This goes back to Microsoft's initial error in the way they originally designed the Xbox. Since they were in a great hurry to have the hardware established they chose to go with a modified version of a PC chipset. For Nvidia this meant an enhanced version of the GeForce 3 (all of the enhancements became part of the GeForce 4 eventually) and the MCP I/O and audio processor from Nvidia's then upcoming PC motherboard chipset. The nature of this relationship meant that Nvidia continue to own all of the proprietary technology within the chips. Rather than selling the design to Microsoft they were instead selling them the chips on a merchant basis. This is pretty much unheard of in the console business for custom chips with a single supplier. (CPUs like the standard M68K found in the Sega Genesis aren't a problem since they serve a large market rather than a single customer.) This put MS and Nvidia at odds. MS needed to cut costs on the Xbox while Nvidia, acting as a middleman between the foundry and MS, wanted to sell the chips at a profit. This meant adding a layer of cost above what there would be if MS were dealing directly with the foundry.
This also meant Nvidia wasn't motivated to invest in producing updated versions of the chips using smaller process nodes. While the PS2 chipset started at .25 micron and has been brought down to 90 nm (also integrating the EE and GS onto a single die) the Xbox chips remained at .18 micron. Smaller versions would have been much lower cost and drew much less power and produce far less waste heat. Not only couldn't MS reduce cost, this also meant they couldn't design a smaller version of the console that would have had wider market appeal. Some of the Xbox's manufacturing costs went down over its life but not nearly as much as it would if it had followed the normal course of console life cycles. Such is the price of rushing to market. (Unlike what some people say about the 360 this was very true of the original Xbox.)
But consider Forza Motorsport. Microsoft owns it outright. They could give away on streetcorners and their only cost would be for the disc, box, and manual. They wouldn't ever pay royalties on manufacturing as third party publishers do. So their cost for bundling it with the Xbox is just a few dollars but its value to the Xbox buyer is far greater. This makes for a great reduction in the loss incurred for each remaining Xbox sold and increases the chance of that unit becoming profitable as its owner purchases games. Assuming those purchases are new new rather than used.
It's as simple as that. Microsoft is just trying to reduce the losses for the last few Xbox sales.
Twist @ Feb 6th 2006 3:38PM
The real annoying part is that places selling used Xbox's have also decided to jack their price up to $129 from $99.
Daveoc64 @ Feb 6th 2006 3:49PM
I think I read that NVIDIA has ceased production of the GPU used in the Xbox 1 (production finished in August), thus causing a supply issue. If there are no more GPUs being made, there can be no more Xboxes.
Lazy @ Feb 6th 2006 3:55PM
They pay a set price on the hardware. No matter how old the tech is, they're losing money on the tech because they do already signed everything.
Shad Genki @ Feb 6th 2006 3:58PM
The one obviously has no idea what he's talking about, or else he works for the Xbox marketing department. I'm convinced that MS still hasn't learned the ins and outs of the console market. Raising prices, limiting compatibilty, not having a versatile library of games in different genres... I mean, I have my Xbox but still, there's only about 15 games I want to play on it out of the whole stinking library.
Obviously companies like to make money. You're not a genious for figuring out that charging $30 more for the console bundle is going to make it easier to break even on production costs, The one. Even 12 year olds can figure this out. The timing of the increase seems pretty off to me, unless they think gradually raising Xbox1's price will help to convince people that Xbox360 is a better deal. My conclusion is: it won't sell. Buy used kids, it's not worth doing a $180 over. Har har har.
Shad Genki @ Feb 6th 2006 4:04PM
The one obviously has no idea what he's talking about, or else he works for the Xbox marketing department. I'm convinced that MS still hasn't learned the ins and outs of the console market. Raising prices, limiting compatibilty, not having a versatile library of games in different genres... I mean, I have my Xbox but still, there's only about 15 games I want to play on it out of the whole stinking library.
Obviously companies like to make money. You're not a genious for figuring out that charging $30 more for the console bundle is going to make it easier to break even on production costs, The one. Even 12 year olds can figure this out. The timing of the increase seems pretty off to me, unless they think gradually raising Xbox1's price will help to convince people that Xbox360 is a better deal. My conclusion is: it won't sell. Buy used kids, it's not worth doing a $180 over. Har har har.
to shad genki @ Feb 6th 2006 4:22PM
since you guys like to point out when other people mispell a word instead of paying attention to the message, i'll do the same. it's spelled genius not genious. Feel stupid much? I know four languages how many do you know? Har Har Har
by the way is used CAPS to highlight not to imply i was yelling.
bacon @ Feb 6th 2006 4:23PM
How about Microsoft just being idiots?
I don't think they have won any credit with their launch and strategy in Japan. Why try to make sense of their flawed business plans?
If they are really cleaning warehouses, then lower it to $100. The only people buying now are late comers that don't have much money and second system owners or replacement system owners. If they want people to switch to 360, then X the Xbox. They can't, because 360 is not backwards compat. MS is stuck. By the time owners save up enough to buy a 360 (when they are about to buy a $150 xbox now) the other systems will be knocking on the door.
I would buy a second Xbox if it was $100. But at $179? hell no.
Necrophiliac @ Feb 6th 2006 4:32PM
I was the reader who sent the tip in.
"Why not buy one used? There are tons in used game shop... not to mention ebay."
Because many of the parts such as DVD drives (Thompson in particular), hard drives, power supplies, etc, wear out or break down over time.
"Circuit city has it for $150 still though: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Microsoft-Xbox-Video-Game-System/sem/rpsm/oid/87658/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
"
I went to the website and tried ordering one online after reading this. After putting in all your shipping and credit card information you get a message saying they don't have any even though it says "in stock". Same deal if you call and try to order over the phone. It shows up in their computers as "in stock" until after they process your order.
What I have a problem with more than anything else is that they are charging $30 extra dollars for a game that retails for $19.99 everywhere.
Ryan @ Feb 6th 2006 5:06PM
WHY DOES JOYSTICK CONTINUALLY REPRESENT THE 360 AS BEING LARGER IN SIZE THAN THE PS3? IT IS NOT. THE PS3 IS BIGGER!!!!
Rare Hare @ Feb 6th 2006 5:50PM
The one:
You're a moron. The 179.99 price has nothing to do with it being "the only way they [Microsoft] can continue supporting the xbox1 without out loosing to much money".
Microsoft has discontinued the original Xbox. They aren't manufacturing it anymore. It's done. That means no more production costs, no more selling it to retailers, no more LOSING money on it.
Your entire comment was filled with fanboy nonsense. The word "biased", with an allowance for description of yourself, shouldn't be spoken by you. You love you Xbox. That's fine. We're all glad. Now shut the fuck up.
m3mnoch @ Feb 6th 2006 5:59PM
on making fun of the one: maybe it's because your post is obviously silly.
on spelling: typically, i don't make fun of anyone's spelling in forums. it's an informal environment, so, there is a lot of leeway. as long as you can get the point across, i'm all good with it.
"rediculous" is a bit different, tho. it's almost becoming a word in and of itself. tho, not really like confusing "your" or "you're" or anything like that.
actually, if you search on google for it: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rediculous&btnG=Google+Search there are even 1.5 million hits.
now, unlike simply confusing hominyms, there is actually a theme amongst the "rediculous" posters. read a few on that google search. they are typically crazy and offbase. it's apparently prototypical to just ignore them.
not even "definitely" and "definately" can claim that.
sorry for the disruption. now, back to your regularly scheduled expensive-xbox discussion.
m3mnoch.
K_G @ Feb 6th 2006 7:36PM
While focusing on all the money MS lost on the Xbox1, most people fail to realize that most of this loss is related to fixed costs that MS incurred (ie, money that has already been spent such as marketing, R&D, and overhead and are not impacted by selling one more or one less Xbox) and not necessarily incremental costs (which are the costs associated with building and selling one xbox). Sure selling a few more units would help (a little) but unless youre talking about millions of units, it is not going to make much difference. Likewise, dropping the cost to a point where the incremental are most of the total selling price isnt going to solve the problem either.
I imagine that MS decided to look at the trends and decided that the a price drop wasnt necessary given existing Xbox inventory. After all, some people simply prefer to buy new (esp. when it comes to hard drive based devices) and MS decided those people could pay for it if they wanted a new system. This has nothing to do with the fixed costs of system,(just like the previous price drops had nothing to do with reductions in fixed costs but rather competitive pressures) but rather a simple and straight forward pricing strategy. Sony dropped their prices on the PS1 when the PS2 came out because they still saw a market there (and one that would expand with a price drop). MS has all but said the Xbox1 is dead (how many first party games are they still working on for the Xbox1zero) and they are choosing to focus the industry (and consumers) on the next gen (which, I personally think is extremely short sighted, esp in relationship to the 360 shortages)
If you want to put on your conspiracy hats, I would suggest you figure out what MS gets out of the higher price relative to their relationship with the retailers who would have the most to lose with a system price dropEB and their ilk selling used/refurbished systems. At the current price levels, they are making big cream on selling these used systems...alot more than they do selling a 360.
Josh @ Feb 6th 2006 8:11PM
A good example of a company that does this all the time is Gillette. When they release their newest razor, they intro it at a decent price and slowly increase the price of blade refills for their older models, prompting a purchase of the newest thing.
m3mnoch @ Feb 6th 2006 8:32PM
josh. fascinating. do they really? i'd never noticed. gonna have to start paying attention now.
especially since i've hated every razor they've made in the last 8 years or so. ever since that horrid mach 3.
m3mnoch.
refinedsugar @ Feb 6th 2006 8:39PM
Wake up people. We knew this was going to happen. It was obvious to me that once the 360 hit the street, the regular xbox would be getting the shaft slowly and surely. When you release a new product, you tend to discontinue and care less about the old product line. MS wants people to buy the 360, games, get a gold account and etc. So of course the supply chain for the original xbox is going to dry up. They can barely keep up production numbers on the 360 to meet demand so they aren't going to continue to produce original standalone xbox consoles. Duh.
beetleFaceMcGee @ Feb 6th 2006 9:15PM
Yeah, that move up to 180 kind of sucks for the consumer. I have never had much interest in Xbox, but I was hoping the price would go down once the 360 came out, and, being the type of guy who buys games and consoles nearly a generation behind the times, I was hoping for a cheap deal on an Xbox and some of the (few) enticing exclusives for the box.
however, it seems like a fine business move. If microsoft has stopped producing the xbox, then they have a bunch of boxes waiting around to be sold. Why not sell them for as much as you can? They have to reason to really try to support the original xbox anymore, so why not let it sit there and slowly bring in a little money to compensate for the huge loss they took with the box. It is fair to assume that at some point, they will sell almost all of those old xboxes, so, if they can get away with a marginally unreasonable pricetag and keep consumner attentions glued to the 360, then..why not?..well, the obvious answer to that question is "to grab a few more xbox faithful and make a few more consumers happy". At the end of the day, dumping off some old xbox units, along with a first party game, and making 10$ more than you would have is just a better deal for microsoft.
Which is why I always buy used..
Handsome Jon @ Feb 6th 2006 9:38PM
Not to mention that the ebay / craigslist prices are still high due to the whole modding scene. XBMC is the illest.
Ben @ Feb 7th 2006 4:42AM
That's a good reason to stick to pc gaming exclusively. PC gaming surpases all aspects of console reguardless of which console it is being compared to.
Don't be one of the fools.
The one @ Feb 7th 2006 5:58AM
to Rare Hare:
it doesnt matter if they are still manufacturing it or not ,the fact is that to say that they dont want you to buy it is ludicrous. Isnt the internet great? Queers like you can get away with telling a man to shut the fuck up without getting thoroughly bitch slapped. LMAO
To m3mnoch:
Whatever; i dont like to get in to arguments over semantics its pointless. My writing and grammar skills are horrible but at least i can think which is more than can be said about the person who posted this article. like i said before im fluent in 4 languages, how many do you know?