Analysts were generally unimpressed with the $150 price tag put on the Kinect hardware -- the consensus has been that Microsoft set the price too high and sales will suffer as a result. But Microsoft group marketing manager Brett Siddons disagrees. Speaking at an Amazon event in the UK, he said that once you "do the maths," Kinect is "very competitively priced."
Siddons is talking about UK prices, but his argument works the same for the American retail listings. The Kinect pack comes with support for two players (six non-active) and the Kinect Adventures game, with no other accessories needed. That's compared to PlayStation Move, which gives you the main controller, a camera, and Sports Champions for $100. But Siddons says the "Navigation controller" will cost $30 more, and expanding to full controls for two players actually makes things more expensive than Kinect. Even two Wii remotes and Nunchucks will run you $140, and that's without Motion Plus add-ons. When you look at it that way, you can see why Microsoft believes Kinect is priced competitively.
Of course, Siddons is obviously speaking from Microsoft's perspective -- you don't necessarily need the Navigation controller (you can replace it with a Dual Shock, which most people already have), or two full players' worth of controls anyway. Still, even if that $150 buys an experience similar to what's on other consoles, there's still a question of whether you'll want to write that big check in the first place.
Reader Comments (147)
Posted: Jul 28th 2010 11:41PM Starcade said
I hate when they start making justifications for pricing by going, well, it supports multiple people. Give me a break! What if you're a single player? Does that mean you're screwed? and over-paying?
I have a Microsoft Mouse on my desk that mutliple people use as well and it came with software. Thankfully that didn't cost $150.
I have a Microsoft Mouse on my desk that mutliple people use as well and it came with software. Thankfully that didn't cost $150.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:01AM entanianick said
Always fun to see people make argument about the motion controller.
I have to agree that Kinect $150 is too expensive for most people.
Well let see when both come out. I will buy Kinect on the 1st day I don't even care about the game. All I care is Video Kinect plus movie and music control and for the game I'll definitely stick with my old fashion controller.
I have to agree that Kinect $150 is too expensive for most people.
Well let see when both come out. I will buy Kinect on the 1st day I don't even care about the game. All I care is Video Kinect plus movie and music control and for the game I'll definitely stick with my old fashion controller.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:02AM elwood said
Agreed. I'd be interested in Kennect at sub $100. eBay will have the wintin a year of release for $50 or $60. Unless this has a huge surge of peeps buying it at launch software companies may just see it as a sega CD and just forget about it.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:11AM Vcize said
Hint for Microsoft: If you have to defend the price publicly, it's too high.
I thought the whole point in taking out the dedicated processor was to lower the cost. They should have been able to get it well under $150.
I thought the whole point in taking out the dedicated processor was to lower the cost. They should have been able to get it well under $150.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:12AM Otimus said
Isn't Microsoft the same company that once derided sony for the "intitial" cost of the PS3, being that you're paying for things you "may not want", when compared to their 360, whom had all the additional things at a higher price, giving you "options".
Good ol' two faced PR.
Good ol' two faced PR.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:17AM TreyIM2 said
"....he said that once you "do the maths,"" - RFLMAO! That's about it. I don't care about the Kinect or the 360 =)
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 9:09AM gevenstaines said
@TreyIM2
what is funny about that, given the topic of conversation was pricing?
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what is funny about that, given the topic of conversation was pricing?
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 6:33PM TreyIM2 said
@gevenstaines - It was the word "maths" that was so funny. Should be "math" or the word "mathematics", if u don't understand spelling and grammar, and if he was saying "maths" to be funny, it was funny. I know I play with words and say them incorrectly just to be funny, myself.
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Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:23AM ptcamn said
Many points were already made, so I'll just say this: MS and those criticizing Move keep bringing up the fact that if you want to play multiplayer you will end up paying more than for a Kinetic. The truth of the matter is that if I want to play multiplayer with friends I won't buy a Move for them. I'll have them bring theirs or I'll take mine to their home. I just need 1 Move with a Nav Control or my Dualshock to play the games I will be playing the most with it. For that, $49 is a perfect price (exactly the same as a Dualshock).
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:30AM mietha said
Total BS. You can buy two move controllers each for 2 players and a game and STILL be $10 less than kinect. Stupid name, stupid idea, and VERY stupid price.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:45AM benheck said
I usually defend MS and hate on the Wii, but this is insanity.
They're after the soccer moms with this. But they already have a Wii and won't care. If they don't have a Wii, well this bundle is $100 more so they'll get a Wii anyway.
Existing users? Well they only pay $150 but if they have an Xbox 360 they probably don't care about virtual lion petting, yoga or any of that other Wii crap. If they do, well, then they have a Wii.
If you want a bunch of shovel-ware games filled with Avatars go onto Xbox 360 Indie Games and grab 150 of them for the price of Kinect.
They're after the soccer moms with this. But they already have a Wii and won't care. If they don't have a Wii, well this bundle is $100 more so they'll get a Wii anyway.
Existing users? Well they only pay $150 but if they have an Xbox 360 they probably don't care about virtual lion petting, yoga or any of that other Wii crap. If they do, well, then they have a Wii.
If you want a bunch of shovel-ware games filled with Avatars go onto Xbox 360 Indie Games and grab 150 of them for the price of Kinect.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 1:04AM El Stefio said
I'm more tempted to just compare Kinect pricing to that of the PSEye, as they seem far more equal in terms of what they offer.
Of course that doesn't work so well for Microsoft's PR department...
Of course that doesn't work so well for Microsoft's PR department...
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 1:50AM Doctor Septapus said
@El Stefio
Precisely. There it is right there.
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Precisely. There it is right there.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 1:05AM spin cycle said
There's only one of me, and I already own a PS Eye (got it cheap on sale a while back). So I can get into Move for $50, Kinect would be $150.
So guess which one I'll be buying?
That's right, neither of them.
So guess which one I'll be buying?
That's right, neither of them.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 1:49AM Doctor Septapus said
"...there remains the question of whether or not gamers will want to write that larger check in the first place."
Yeah - I sure as heck wouldn't.
While I really don't give two poops about Sony's Move, their line-up and what they have been selling correlates to what the audience on the console demands (fighting games, shooters) and most gamers won't stretch for a second bundle. Online gaming is becoming more prevalent for the PlayStation 3 and one is hard pressed to find a good split-screen game nowadays.
Microsoft has batted zilch in the casual, family-oriented gaming arena and those newcomers pay $399.99 for a Kinect and 4GB XBOX. It's kind of sickening to see them obviously trying to grab Nintendo's audience away (and not the dedicated ones, just the people who played Wii Sports for a week and leave it sitting there in the living room).
My hope is that either:
A) No one will care and the Kinect will go away.
B) They integrate Kinect into games that don't look half-ass (Joy Ride looks awkward and absolutely atrocious now).
I just really think, and sort of hope, Kinect will go away - cameras by themselves tend to never integrate into gaming well or properly. Look at the PlayStation Eye now... the only reason it looks to matter now because it is the foundation for Move.
Yeah - I sure as heck wouldn't.
While I really don't give two poops about Sony's Move, their line-up and what they have been selling correlates to what the audience on the console demands (fighting games, shooters) and most gamers won't stretch for a second bundle. Online gaming is becoming more prevalent for the PlayStation 3 and one is hard pressed to find a good split-screen game nowadays.
Microsoft has batted zilch in the casual, family-oriented gaming arena and those newcomers pay $399.99 for a Kinect and 4GB XBOX. It's kind of sickening to see them obviously trying to grab Nintendo's audience away (and not the dedicated ones, just the people who played Wii Sports for a week and leave it sitting there in the living room).
My hope is that either:
A) No one will care and the Kinect will go away.
B) They integrate Kinect into games that don't look half-ass (Joy Ride looks awkward and absolutely atrocious now).
I just really think, and sort of hope, Kinect will go away - cameras by themselves tend to never integrate into gaming well or properly. Look at the PlayStation Eye now... the only reason it looks to matter now because it is the foundation for Move.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 1:54AM Josorio8 said
Still gettin one...... who cares about the price I just wanna talk to it and say on or off...and scroll threw stuff with my hand and not a control ... Technology at it's finest ... And it's for a video game system lol
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 2:23AM logicplay said
@Josorio8 who cares ? ummmmmmmm people with jobs? people who arent rich to be throwing money around?....hmmmm.. me, most people on joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/kinect-priced-at-150-includes-kinect-adventures
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Posted: Jul 29th 2010 2:10AM Novalife said
Wait I'm confused. Like getting the new xbox slims it says it's kinect ready does that mean I still have to pay 150$ for it? And what about the old gen xbox 360s?
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 2:31AM logicplay said
@Novalife http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/original-xbox-360-requires-separate-power-for-kinect
That should clear a little bit up for you, and the 'kinect ready' thing you hear about, that means the new slim has a special port for the kinect instead of needing a separate power source for it to work. :)
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That should clear a little bit up for you, and the 'kinect ready' thing you hear about, that means the new slim has a special port for the kinect instead of needing a separate power source for it to work. :)
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 2:18AM logicplay said
@Nintari uhhh... no it doesnt
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 3:07AM golobulus said
bobby kotex to address microsoft in 5..4..3..2.. "you better lower the got-damn price or else! no CoD for you! i run this!!!"
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 3:56AM Ganon255 said
Come Christmas time everyone will be scrambling to get one. The price will inevitably drop to $99 once all the early adopters are 'taxed'.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 3:58AM Milky1985 said
Can us brits also have a go at the pricing?
When you look at the exchange rate 150$ is about £96, even if you add on VAT it comes to about 115, are they really saying it costs £15 per unit to ship it over here!
When you look at the exchange rate 150$ is about £96, even if you add on VAT it comes to about 115, are they really saying it costs £15 per unit to ship it over here!
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 6:34AM BlackedOut said
I'd buy it at 100 pounds. I'd only go over with a Dance centralised bundle.
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Posted: Jul 29th 2010 9:05AM gevenstaines said
6 non-active players? well yeah, per person its way cheaper than move. provided youre not ... active.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 9:18AM gevenstaines said
"Keep your eyes out for more chances to win of of our two remaining Slims in the coming weeks, but not SO far out that you notice our glaring grammatical mistakes."
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 9:36AM 2late2die said
The problem with their logic is that they thing people will want to buy some sort of motion-based controller and when choosing between the ps3 move and kinect they'll do the math. Obviously first of all, nobody likes doing math - for the move you see lower numbers so you get it.
More importantly though, many people are still not really sold the whole motion controlled gameplay thing. So the pricing should not be just about undercutting ps3 move, it should be about making it cheap enough to almost be an impulse buy.
But then again it's not surprising that MS is not understanding their customer base.
More importantly though, many people are still not really sold the whole motion controlled gameplay thing. So the pricing should not be just about undercutting ps3 move, it should be about making it cheap enough to almost be an impulse buy.
But then again it's not surprising that MS is not understanding their customer base.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 10:15AM madcowfj79 said
Consumers have sticker shock with the Kinect because it has a large investment up front. You may have to pay about the same with the Move but with prices of $50 hear and $30 there people will just buy what they need and not realize it. And most casual gamers who want motion control already have a Wii or can get one for $50 more so overall it is a really tough sell on MS part.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:06PM Smokeydogg7 said
both look awesome buying both day one cant wait
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:32PM DocBooch said
Or you can buy the bundle that comes with Move controller, Sony Championship Sports, and a sub-controller for 100 then another Move controller for 50. The same price as Kinect. You don't need to sub controllers since it's for FPS games. (at least 99% of people wont)
The games though can't even be compared...except for the one music game for Kinect, everything else looks like utter horse dung.
The games though can't even be compared...except for the one music game for Kinect, everything else looks like utter horse dung.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 12:35PM DocBooch said
Damn no edit button, bundle comes with the PSEye not the sub controller....The sub isn't needed though since you can just use the DS.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 5:03PM Kinjiro said
Sure compared to Move the price isn't that bad but lets not ignore the elephant in the room Microsoft. The Wii is $200 and probably be $150.00 at Christmas. Try to compare a peripheral to a whole console, Brett Siddons.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 7:16PM Hoops said
Microsoft is using that fuzzy math again. $140 for 2 wii controllers and nunchucks? UH ANYONE who has a Wii already has one set of these, so they only need to pay $70 for 2 player support. $100 if you also want Wii motion plus on both. That's still >>>>>> $150 for Natal/Kinectt. Microsoft is going to be stunned at what a disaster this is.
Posted: Jul 29th 2010 7:39PM Mabans said
Why is it so hard to understand that it doesn't sting as much to pay less now, maybe $X.xx later for an add-on doesn't sting as much as having to shell out $150 for bleed edge tech. I really hope they make some cool games otherwise it's just going to be a gimmick, like what they said about nintendo's Wii.. Remember that guys. LOL
Posted: Jul 30th 2010 8:44PM MDizzy said
It's going to come down to 3rd party support. Usually post-release peripherals aren't supported very well by third parties. Look at the litany of Nintendo add-ons that never took off (the PowerPad, PowerGlove, Super Gun, etc.). Microsoft is trying to make a big deal of Kinect as if it's a new console but in the end it looks like it might turn out to be a dud.
I'd LOVE nothing more than to be proved wrong but if you look at the 360's core audience, it is not the casual player which is what the Kinect would appeal to. The hardcore audience is going to take a wait and see approach. If Microsoft can get a good "launch" lineup it might work. I'm rooting for it but skeptical.
I'd LOVE nothing more than to be proved wrong but if you look at the 360's core audience, it is not the casual player which is what the Kinect would appeal to. The hardcore audience is going to take a wait and see approach. If Microsoft can get a good "launch" lineup it might work. I'm rooting for it but skeptical.
Posted: Jul 31st 2010 4:11PM Extinction said
@Nintari Except you did get more with PS3.
Posted: Jul 31st 2010 9:41PM Electric Cello said
I didn't know it was even possible for me to be less interested in Kinect until I saw this article.
Posted: Aug 1st 2010 5:25AM Jerri Cop said
lulz, playstation move is just another wii controller...
Posted: Aug 1st 2010 6:53AM ouroboros709 said
As far as I'm concerned it really is a no brainer.
£74.99 for the motion controller, eyetoy camera and navigation controller (I know the latter is unnecessary but I have small hands and I would find holding the dualshock awkward) vs £130 for Kinetic.
Hrm... that is such a difficult decision especially since Kinetic has been nothing but a letdown ever since they announced it.
Besides it's MS. What's the betting we'll have another equivalent of the RROD with this thing?
The fact that MS even had the nerve to charge us £130 for it in the first place when it only retails at $150 in America is a joke. At least Sony evened out the price a little better between the two countries.
£74.99 for the motion controller, eyetoy camera and navigation controller (I know the latter is unnecessary but I have small hands and I would find holding the dualshock awkward) vs £130 for Kinetic.
Hrm... that is such a difficult decision especially since Kinetic has been nothing but a letdown ever since they announced it.
Besides it's MS. What's the betting we'll have another equivalent of the RROD with this thing?
The fact that MS even had the nerve to charge us £130 for it in the first place when it only retails at $150 in America is a joke. At least Sony evened out the price a little better between the two countries.
Posted: Aug 1st 2010 6:57AM ouroboros709 said
Just to add to my post; you can currently buy a preowned PS3 60GB from GAME for £164 (or thereabouts). So there's a £34 price difference between an entire console and some silly little add-on that has no games.
*waits for the jibes about the PS3 having no games XD**
*waits for the jibes about the PS3 having no games XD**
Posted: Aug 4th 2010 1:39AM (Unverified) said
Actually that 140 price mark for Wiimotes DOES INDEED include Motion+, otherwise you can take off AT LEAST 20 dollars, and all that's assuming you buy it overpriced.
Posted: Aug 4th 2010 9:56PM double D 215 said
Funny how all you Sony fanboys love wasting your time lol
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