14 DAY TRIAL // This is interesting: Microsoft has just announced today that they'll be lowering the price of the Xbox 360... HD DVD add-on player (gotcha!) from $199 to $179 ERP, but the offer is only available for the United States. Starting Aug. 1, 2007 the offer will also add five free HD DVD movies for anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player by Sept. 30.
"With the price reduction to $179, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player continues to be the most affordable way to enjoy high definition," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "From the beginning, we set out to offer Xbox 360 owners an unrivaled high-definition experience, with a choice of optical discs on the HD DVD format and digital downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace - both of which have a selection of the best content Hollywood has to offer. Today's announcements around '300' and 'Heroes: Season 1' are great examples of how we believe HD content can be offered to consumers."
Now, comparing this with a CVG post I stumbled upon today...: "Next month Microsoft will cut the price of the Xbox 360 in the States by $50, in time for the release of Bioshock and Blue Dragon, reports The Hollywood Reporter. According to the publication's retail source the reduction will be made on August 8, which it notes is traditionally a quiet time of the year for hardware sales."
What do you know, Microsoft's starting to finally make the Xbox 360 and all its accessories more affordable. Don't be surprised, the 360 is most likely going to see a $50 price drop to say the least, if Microsoft wants to keep its head above the water when Sony slashes another hundred off their precious PS3. Who in their right mind do you think will choose an Xbox 360 over a $399 PS3? Well, PlayStation haters of course... Let's hope everything falls into place then.