The Bare Nekked Xbox
p2pnet.net News:- Bill and the Boyz are re-applying their ‘Starter Edition’ software sales hook to a Bare Nekked Xbox, hoping it’ll suck in Japanese game fans.
Microsoft was peddling localised versions of Windows with “reduced features” in countries such as Thailand, and now it’s to try a stripped down Xbox, sans the 20-gig hard drive and “other accessories,” in Japan.
The Bare Nekked Xbox will retail for 29,800 yen ($256), says Bloomberg News, going on:
“The move is an effort by Microsoft to overcome Sony’s dominance in the world’s second-largest video-game market, as sales of Xbox 360 consoles trail the PlayStation 2 by 124-to-1 in Japan.”
Microsoft said it’ll sell a 20-gig hard-disk drive, “which is necessary to save progress in games,” separately for 9,500 yen, says the story, adding:
“Sony plans to charge at least $499 for a PS3 with the same hard-disk space, and Nintendo’s will price its Wii, slated for release in the fourth quarter, at no more than $250.”
The Windows starters didn’t do too well and it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Japanese gamers will go for a skinny Xbox.
Also See:
reduced features – Cheapo Windows for Asia ‘flops’, March 18, 2005
Bloomberg News – Microsoft Plans Cheaper Xbox 360 in Japan Before PS3, September 8, 2006
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