$40 XBL Vision camera & UNO bundle detailed by MS source along with prices & dates for other 360 accessories
by Dan Choi 
{ Jun 2nd 2006 at 12:26AM }
Our friendly anonymous source at Microsoft has provided us with a few more details concerning the 360 accessories announced back at E3.Perhaps the most important involves the bundling of the Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset, the popular Live Arcade title UNO, and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 when it releases in the States on September 19, 2006.
Granted, this is still an unofficial report (based on a leak of "official" info), so understand that you're probably not gonna get much confirmation from MS until they're good and ready to give it. If you'd like information on what other peripherals are coming out "Holiday 2006" (so sometime in the 4th quarter) and at what price, read on for more.
- New faceplates featuring Halo, Forza 2, & Viva Pinata for $19.99 each
- Wireless headest with a 30-foot range for $59.99
- 256MB Memory Unit for $59.99
- Wireless gaming receiver for $19.99 (but it'll go on sale in Winter 2007, unlike the others, probably around the month of February)
Hopefully, Microsoft will provide some way of allowing those who have already purchased UNO on Live Marketplace to download a comparable title with the bundle (with or without camera functionality). Our source at Microsoft saw nothing that would indicate a unbundled SKU for the 360- and PC-compatible camera, so it looks like it'll only be available at $40 for the foreseeable future. [Note that our earlier post on the pricing rumor contained a typo in the headline which might have led you to believe a second unbundled SKU for the camera would be available for $20; the figure was listed correctly in the body of the text, but the error in the title was ours and ours alone (our source had it right all along). Apologies to anyone who might have been misled -- the older post has been fixed.]
If these figures are what the peripherals in questions are eventually priced at, our hopes of a gradual easing of Memory Unit price points will have been thoroughly dashed (the better to service 360 Core owners in need of greater and/or cheaper storage options). Offering more value is good, but dropping the price of the 64MB MU to a proportional $14.99 would be an impressive show of good will to cost-conscious shoppers (however unlikely due to retail margin requirements). Not only that, those close to running out of, or who have already run out of, space on their 20GB hard drives are probably even more disappointed in the lack of hard-disk upgrades available in time for the two-tiered PS3 launch in November. Hopefully we'll see more options (and price drops) next year.
[Image taken from the Best of E3 Gallery at Xbox.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jOEfRo @ Jun 2nd 2006 12:33AM
wow i already have uno and i have three headsets how about the poker game and 500 ms points???
CJ @ Jun 2nd 2006 12:37AM
not too shabby. i'll def be picking up the camera. i'll need to reup my live subscription anyway and getting a year for $40 is enough... include a camera and an extra headset and that makes it all the more sweet (already got uno, but hope to be able to exchange the free copy for something else).
good job microsoft... its about time you gave us a peripheral without making us spend thru the nose for it.
Teddy RuXpin @ Jun 2nd 2006 12:37AM
Wireless headest with a 30-foot range for $59.99...too much.
Dan Choi @ Jun 2nd 2006 12:47AM
"i'll def be picking up the camera. i'll need to reup my live subscription anyway and getting a year for $40 is enough..."
Sorry, CJ, it only comes with a month of Live Gold service.
Imadogg99 @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:03AM
"256MB Memory Unit for $59.99"
And what's the 20GB (13GB?) HDD cost... $99.99 right? I suggest not to get the tiny 256MB MU... screw memory units.
The ZeroCorpse @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:04AM
Actually, I agree with #1... I already paid MS Points for UNO, so how about packaging the camera with enough MS Points to pay for UNO, and then those of us who already have it will get our points back and won't have paid twice, and those who don't have UNO yet will be able to purchase it from XBLA with the included points.
I mean.. Jeez. It sort of sucks that I paid for it and it's included with the camera.
Mike @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:32AM
wow. Everything is highly overpriced and crappy. Good thing the only thing im interested in is the wireless reciever to use my controller on my PC, and thats only $20 (which is a fair price).
Actually I am interested in the wireless headset, but im using the halo 2 headset now, And I can wear it for 8 hours+ and still not feel it. The only flaw is the wire. I hope when the official wireless headset comes out, plantronics will make a more comfortable and less expesnive wireless headset.
murph @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:42AM
that's a whole lot cheaper than i figured. i don't have a whole lot of interest in the camera, but we'll see. my opinion could change if they do some cool stuff with it.
now the wireless headset i'm totally interested in...but $60??? Billy G....you're killing me.
(digs into pocket to find $60)
jOEfRO @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:51AM
And why would Msoft bundle a headset in it when the majority of people that are buying the camera probably bought the premium with the headset. I personally think the bundle should be the camera and 400 points which will get you UNO if you dont have it or another camera enabled game, and the price of the camera could go down to $30 w/o the price of the headset in it.
Smallshinyant @ Jun 2nd 2006 2:42AM
Not bad pricing (better times it by Pi for when they get to uk). Some seriouse over time required to get that wireless headset, rechargable i hope.
Am i missing something but where has the steering wheel gone.. I need that.
bv @ Jun 2nd 2006 2:50AM
Talk about uneeded products :/.
1.) I don't want a camera. Its not like i can cyber a girl with it, I mean last time i checked, girls don't play video games. ;)
2.) Wireless headset. If your buying this out of respect for other's privacy, you need to move out of your parents house. (I'm semi-kidding on this one, but not to some of you...you know who you are...)
3.) 256 mB of memory for $60. What year is Microsoft stuck in and why are we still using memory cards when there's a hard drive available?
4.) HD player. Why is this so hyped? Sounds like UMD all over again, trying to get consumers to repurchase their dvd collection for a higher price and minimal gain.
What I'd like to see:
1.) Customizable themes and gamer pics. I know, useless, but it should be available. Also the ability to set up your own online store to sell downloadble content you've created. What happened to that idea from E3 2005? I can see them coming out with this and revealing that the royalties are payed in MS points, not cash. That would suck.
2.) Web Browser. I mean come on, Microsoft created Internet Explorer, the most popular web browser ever. Why couldn't they include a version of this for the 360? At the least, have the ability to tune into internet radio like itunes.
3.) Full Downloadable games. If they were to release a bigger Hard Drive, say 60 GB, the ability to download full games like Table Tennis or Dead or Alive 4 would be perfect. Not ever having to step foot in a smelly EB Games again is my only goal in life.
4.) This would be my dream add on: A 20 disc or more DVD changer. The way it would work is through the USB extension on the front. You load all the games you have in the cd trays and when you boot to the dashboard you can select from the list similar to the way you scroll through your arcade games. Not having to find the game you want to play, open the box, place it in, and go back to the couch is a pipe dream for me. I know, call me lazy, but i think this would be awesome.
soco @ Jun 2nd 2006 3:25AM
why would anyone buy the wireless headset out of respect for others? i think the biggest reason to buy the wireless headset is so that you don't have to carry around your controller when you're chatting with people. i use the voice chat features a lot and would love it if i didn't have to carry around the controller with me everywhere i went.
the reason to use a memory card is so that you can transport your data to a friends house. if they've got their profile saved on their harddrive and you've got yours, taking your harddrive is useless.
Smellslikepie @ Jun 2nd 2006 3:38AM
1.) Lots of people do want a camera, it adds another level to the communication that's offered with Xbox Live. Also, The Xbox Live Vision Camera is not just for communication, it's being incorporated into games, in a different way to the eyetoy. For example, in the next Rainbow Six game that comes out, they're using the camera to map your face to a character.
2.) Wireless headset. I, for one, am quite looking forward to this. It adds alot more freedom than the wired controller. If you wanted to go downstairs then you'd have to take the controller and carry it around with you. At least with this, you don't have to do that. It is also, apparently, much better quality than the former headset, which, frankly, isn't hard to imagine. Plus, it looks cool :p
3.) 256 mB of memory for $60. I agree that this is quite a steep price, but I don't agree with what you said about using HDD rather than a memory card. It's much more convenient to carry a memory card around with you - to your friends' house or to the store to download.
4.) HD player. I don't think this is like UMD at all. Sure, it's a little odd releasing this in the middle of a format war. But at least they're keeping up with the competition. I'm glad that they're doing this rather than bundling it with their console, thus putting the price up. It's also not about repurchasing you DVD collection, of course, they give you that option or (and I'm not sure this HD DVD player does it) they can upscale your current collection. I think it's worth having this for when the 'real' HD films come out.
also, about what you'd like to see:
1.) First off you can have a customisable themes, and also customisable gamer pics are coming very soon. With the Spring Update they're adding support for the Vision Camera which will allow you to have your own gamer pic, only viewable by friends though. I think that for your next suggestion, and it's a good one that I was waiting for since E305, we'll have to wait for Live Anywhere. This feature can't be implemented without the use of a PC to make skins etc. Of course, it could be done on the 360, but I'd prefer a PC with Photoshoop CS 2. I think that they will only let you exchange these for Microsoft points, but it's still worth it. For your hard work, you could buy a new arcade game etc. So it's still not time wasted.
2.) Web Browser. That's NOT going to happen. Despite Sony and Nintendo announcing that their consoles will have Web Browsers, Microsoft has said that they won't because it's a potential security risk for the console. I agree with them, I mean, this is a machine for gaming, if you want to browse the internet then use your PC. And, unless you have an HDTV, do you really want to be looking at websites in 480p?
3.) Full Downloadable games. I think that something like this is going to START in this generation, but it'll ultimately be up to the next generation of consoles to include this feature. You already have the ability to download Arcade games, which is a start. There has been talk about downloading Xbox games, but I'm worried about the download times. Not everyone has a fast broadband connection, especially here in the UK. The fastest that I'm able to get is 2Mb, but that's because I live in the countryside. :P. So I think that broadband connection would have to get in more households, and much faster for this to happen (I'm talking about the UK, I don't have a clue what it's like in the US)
4.)A 20 disc or more DVD changer.... Lazy :P
Da'Cheez @ Jun 2nd 2006 3:39AM
Actually, something that has always bothered me about Xbox 360 accessory pricing is the price of the face plates. Will an owner please clarify... Do you just get one face plate for $20, or do they come in packs of three? I mean seriously, what is the purpose??? I understand customizing portable devices. People see things like cell phones and portable gaming/music devices with you if you use them alot, but on a home console gameing unit???
May joystiq can host a pole asking Xbox 360 owners, "IF and/or how many additional face plates they have purchased?"
MaNhO1E @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:23AM
i have bought 2 and got a free one from ms
Crome faceplate from team xtender
mat black from joytech
and a replacement faceplate from ms
GamerG @ Jun 2nd 2006 6:29AM
Why are they waiting untill Sept to release it? They should bring it out now for the holiday lull
Jdoki @ Jun 2nd 2006 8:38AM
I suspect this bundle is just aimed at Core owners.
Look at what you get... Headset, a month of Live Gold, a game, and the camera. It'll appeal to those who bought the Core pack and want a headset, it'll appeal to those who have, so far, not been all that interested in online play, and it'll appeal to the casual gamers - the demographic that Sony, MS and Nintendo are so desperate to get (and will probably swing the 'who sold most units' next-gen war).
The camera will be released as a standalone item for a reduced price as well as in the bundle.
On a side note. I like the idea of a wireless headset, but if it's as badly made as the wired version... well, forget it.
Fred @ Jun 2nd 2006 9:00AM
All I want is the damn wireless headset. Give it to me now please. There is nothing that makes me more angry that having a beautiful wireless work of art that is the 360 controller and have it tethered to my head by the piece of garbage headset. Just when I though we had freed ourselves of wires forever in this generation, I have been forced to feel the headset cable run against my arm during play.
Sure, this may seem pretty silly, but after enjoying the Logitec wireless headset from the last XBox for many years and then not having an option really annoys me. I'll gladly pay anything they want to charge for the headset, but don't make me wait till the holidays for it.
Many of you may point out that I could rig up a wireless headset myself but I don't feel I should have to do that. I mean damn, the technology is everywhere already, what's the damn holdup? Get those foreign factory workers on it now.
Is there anyone else as excited as me to take their free headset and put it in the microwave once this wireless one comes out?
Paul P. @ Jun 2nd 2006 9:38AM
Why do I get the feeling you will turn the game on and half of the people you play will have the camera directly pointing at their unclothed penis?
RazorElite @ Jun 2nd 2006 10:25AM
Hmm that 256MB memory unit price is not looking pretty. The headset price was somewhat expected, but when you consider one little headset is more expensive than a whole camera bundle?? And where's my bigger hard drive?? These things should've been out since launch. 12gigs does not cut it Microsoft!! Release a 100gig for under $120 and that'd be totally great. I'm hoping that the HD-DVD addon is less than $200 as well...a lot less. Really though, why would i pay $60 for 256MB of memory. No, reallyyy!!
Scott @ Jun 2nd 2006 10:27AM
"Why do I get the feeling you will turn the game on and half of the people you play will have the camera directly pointing at their unclothed penis?"
I share that same feeling..... especially with the free give-a-way month of XBL. Remeber the months after Halo 2 shipped with the free 3month trial? It was pure gamer hell, unless you were a racist 13yr old boy who overused the f-word....
I actually like the 20disc dvd drive idea. I sit right next to the damn console and I still hate changing discs. (All of my computer games have the no cd-key patch.) $60 for a headset? try $45 and I might buy one. That free one is awefully shitty though.....
Art Guy @ Jun 2nd 2006 10:35AM
.
Paul P. & Scott - You may want to look into finding some new friends if half of them are creepy exhibitionists. As has been repeated numerous times, you can only see people who are on your friends list.
Personally the thing that I'm looking forward to the most is the face mapping features. I've seen the World Series of Poker for the 360, and the face mapping is amazing, they even have it set up so you face changes expressions. I haven't seen the Rainbow Six face mapping, but if it's half as good as the WSOP stuff, I'm sold for those two games alone.
Flakes8 @ Jun 2nd 2006 10:47AM
Hey CJ, heads-up live sub is only for a month. Though it still is a good deal.
Canadian Geese @ Jun 2nd 2006 11:07AM
CJ: The membership in the VISION bundle is for a month, not a year.
Teddy RuxPin: People currently spend $100 for a bluetooth headset for their cell phones. $60 for a bluetooth headset for your 360 (especially when it will be the end of the last wire I will ever see on my 360) is a fair price.
Everyone: The camera can be purchased seperately. Just like you can buy a headset in a LIVE bundle or seperately. Don't worry. Just because the blog doesn't mention a camera that can be purchased seperately doesn't mean it won't happen. I heard the VISION will cost $20-$30 alone.
Dan Choi @ Jun 2nd 2006 1:55PM
"Everyone: The camera can be purchased seperately. Just like you can buy a headset in a LIVE bundle or seperately. Don't worry. Just because the blog doesn't mention a camera that can be purchased seperately doesn't mean it won't happen. I heard the VISION will cost $20-$30 alone."
Hopefully, that will be the case, Canadian Geese. Our source at Microsoft reported seeing only one SKU for the camera, though that's of course subject to change (whether by "Holiday 2006" or some other time frame). I'd love to buy UNO right now, but this bundle info is really holding me back.
Pudge @ Jun 2nd 2006 2:37PM
What's the point of M$ points if they give away prepaid game cards? It should come with enough points for Uno, heck even advertise Uno on the card, but I can choose what I do with my points.
Damn, I knew I shouldn't of got that game when it first came out...
teitoku @ Jun 2nd 2006 4:19PM
Somebody, please explain this "wireless gaming receiver" thing. It sounds utterely useless. The 360 already has this built in.
Robotic House Plant @ Jun 2nd 2006 7:20PM
This does me absolutely no good, seeing that I already have UNO on Xbox Live. Now if they were to pack in a game that didn't exist yet, like Texas Hold 'em, then you've got yourself a sale.
Gadget @ Jun 3rd 2006 8:20AM
Teddy, I suppose it's a normal price. I don't think you will get far then 30 foots
buhjee @ Sep 14th 2006 7:25PM
all this makes me need to go rub one out.