Microsoft's Xbox 360 Media Briefing press event in Tokyo today was low on major announcements, but there was some big pricing news that potential Xbox 360 owners across the Pacific were likely celebrating.
As leaked in a Nikkei news report earlier in the day, Microsoft will be dropping the Xbox 360 price in Japan. On September 11, the system's Arcade configuration will drop in price by 8,000 yen to 19,800 yen. The system's Elite configuration will see a similar price drop, bringing it to 39,800 yen.
For the 20 gigabyte configuration, the original launch model for the Japanese market, things are a bit more complicated. Microsoft will replace that configuration with a 60 gigabyte version on September 11. The new configuration will sell for 5,000 yen less than the old one, or 29,800 yen.
Production for the 20 gigabyte unit has been discontinued, Microsoft confirmed. While the system has been pretty much absent from retail channels following the Tales of Vesperia launch early last month, those who do find one post September 11 will be charged whatever retailers deem appropriate, as the official price will be changed to "open" once the 60 gigabyte model arrives.
Microsoft will also drop the price of a few accessories on September 11. The 120 gigabyte hard disc will go down from 18,900 yen to 15,750 yen. The 512 megabyte Memory Unit will drop from 5,775 yen to 5,250 yen.
A couple of accessories will be discontinued. Microsoft will stop making the 20 gigabyte hard disc and 64 megabyte Memory Unit. Remaining supplies will be marked as open, allowing retailers to charge what they please. Current official pricing is, respectively, 9,975 yen and 3,360 yen.
Some of the system's biggest hits are also going down in price as they join the 360's growing Platinum Collection budget lineup. Gundam Musou International (Dynasty Warriors Gundam), Ace Combat 6, Beautiful Katamari Damacy, Lost Odyssey, Project Gotham Racing 4, and Assassin's Creed will join the lineup between October 23 and November 5, selling for between 2,940 yen and 3,800 yen.
Finally, as an incentive to get more potential Xbox 360 buyers, Microsoft is staging a present campaign, also starting September 11. Those who buy a 360 in any hardware configuration will get an Infinite Undiscovery faceplate for free. This promotion will end when supplies run out.
All these price drops and promotions apply to Japan only.
more here
As leaked in a Nikkei news report earlier in the day, Microsoft will be dropping the Xbox 360 price in Japan. On September 11, the system's Arcade configuration will drop in price by 8,000 yen to 19,800 yen. The system's Elite configuration will see a similar price drop, bringing it to 39,800 yen.
For the 20 gigabyte configuration, the original launch model for the Japanese market, things are a bit more complicated. Microsoft will replace that configuration with a 60 gigabyte version on September 11. The new configuration will sell for 5,000 yen less than the old one, or 29,800 yen.
Production for the 20 gigabyte unit has been discontinued, Microsoft confirmed. While the system has been pretty much absent from retail channels following the Tales of Vesperia launch early last month, those who do find one post September 11 will be charged whatever retailers deem appropriate, as the official price will be changed to "open" once the 60 gigabyte model arrives.
Microsoft will also drop the price of a few accessories on September 11. The 120 gigabyte hard disc will go down from 18,900 yen to 15,750 yen. The 512 megabyte Memory Unit will drop from 5,775 yen to 5,250 yen.
A couple of accessories will be discontinued. Microsoft will stop making the 20 gigabyte hard disc and 64 megabyte Memory Unit. Remaining supplies will be marked as open, allowing retailers to charge what they please. Current official pricing is, respectively, 9,975 yen and 3,360 yen.
Some of the system's biggest hits are also going down in price as they join the 360's growing Platinum Collection budget lineup. Gundam Musou International (Dynasty Warriors Gundam), Ace Combat 6, Beautiful Katamari Damacy, Lost Odyssey, Project Gotham Racing 4, and Assassin's Creed will join the lineup between October 23 and November 5, selling for between 2,940 yen and 3,800 yen.
Finally, as an incentive to get more potential Xbox 360 buyers, Microsoft is staging a present campaign, also starting September 11. Those who buy a 360 in any hardware configuration will get an Infinite Undiscovery faceplate for free. This promotion will end when supplies run out.
All these price drops and promotions apply to Japan only.
more here