Xbox 360 Now The Cheapest Next-Gen Console in Europe
The next-gen format war may be over but the console wars is still raging hot. Microsoft has decided to get a firmer grasp of the European market by imposing a price cut for all Xbox 360 SKUs in Europe effective on Friday, March 14, 2008.
The Arcade pack will have a MSRP of only £159.99 (down from £199.99), the Premium pack will be £199.99 (down from £259.99), and the Elite pack will be £259.99 (down from £299.99).
With the price cuts, the Arcade version will be the cheapest next-gen console in Europe. It is so cheap that it will even beat the Wii which at £179.99 was the cheapest next-gen console since it launched in December 2006.
Microsoft hopes the move will further increase console sales in the region. According to their Interactive Entertainment Business Europe’s VP, Chris Lewis, “History shows that £159.99 is the price point where a console’s audience begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”
The company claims that the 360 is the number one next-gen console in Europe, the Middle East and Africa where it holds a 42% stake in the market “in terms of life-to date revenue.” They also boast a high game sales per console number with seven games sold per Xbox compared to 3.5 for the Wii and 3.8 for the PlayStation 3.