Rumor: Mircosoft preparing a 60GB X360 Bundle
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168589
If the 20GB Xbox 360 has always seemed too small to you, but you don't think you'd use all of the space in the 120GB version, Microsoft may soon be announcing a new SKU in the middle that could be just right. According to an e-mail from Microsoft to GameStop and Blockbuster (leaked to Xbox Family), a new 60GB version of the Xbox 360 will launch later this month, followed by phasing out the original 20GB 360 Premium pack.
The leaked e-mail also states that a stand-alone 60GB hard drive for $99.99 will replace the current 20GB hard drive, and the 120GB stand-alone drive will drop from $179.99 to $149.99. Below is a portion of the e-mail published by Xbox Family:
"With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or first week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the 'Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack.' This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:
"-60GB Hard Drive
3 Months of Xbox Live
Xbox 360 Wired Headset
Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)
"Positioning: For Xbox 360 Arcade and Core console owners, the Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack offers all of the components to get onto Xbox LIVE and jump in to on line multiplayer gaming and Marketplace content downloads at an incredible value."
The supposed Microsoft e-mail goes on to paint the move as part of their focus on "choice and value."
1UP contacted several sources at Microsoft to get a comment on the leak. One representative gave us the standard, "We have nothing to announce at this time" -- tellingly, not a flat-out denial of the e-mail's claims. Heather Snavely, Microsoft's PR director of global platforms, provided a more interesting response:
"We can't comment on rumors. What I can tell you is that our plans for E3 haven't changed. We've got a lot of exciting news that, unfortunately, you and everyone else will have to wait to hear next week. The truth is, rumors will always be a part of our industry -- it's just one more sign of how eager gamers are to learn how we'll innovate next."
So despite recent problems with leaks being so rampant, Microsoft seems to have taken an approach of accepting that they can't control information getting out of their hands ahead of time. Still, how many people would call a $150 price tag for a 120GB hard drive "innovation"?
