RUMOR: MS Preparing to Possibly Rebrand the Xbox 360 (New BOX ARTS)

[selnor]

BBH said:

selnor said:

BBH said:

Also if the 360 starts going ahead of the Wii, Nintendo could drop the price. Really Selnor, the only way you're ideas could come true is if Microsoft start making losses and both Sony and Nintendo stand absolutely still.

M$ hasnt dropped the price for a year. With new cheaper to make model coming M$ are in a fantastic position to drop the price without a loss.

Thing is I think Natal will captivate the casuals. Thats where I believe the sales will come from.

- Natal R&D and Production costs

- Natal will probably be sold at a loss

- Slimmer model R&D costs

- Huge marketing costs for both Natal and Slim model

- Slim won't be that much cheaper to produce, they will have to make it of higher quality that the normal 360's to fix faults such as the RROD

- Microsoft has already lost a lot of money this gen

...Really?

Yes really. It's something comletely different to what Nintendo and Sony are offering. If they market it like a true Wii upgrade. M$ are in. Casuals dont read forums and Game mags. They see adverts and play them in local Malls etc.

M$ have dropped the size of the dies on the chips twice since price drop. They have room for price drop even with Natal launching. 

Natal on it's own will sell ok. Most people will buy the new 360 Plus with Natal. Even if they own a 360 already. Of course this will be for better hardware and the chance to jump in with Natal. 

The wii owners who just play with family * casuals. Will see the huge advertising campaign, will play these in stores ( of which M$ will have loads of ) and they will thuink it's amazing without question. They couldnt care less about Mario, but about the next wii sports type game. It's these who will think its great regardless of it being good or bad.

M$ IMO are in a prime position to get alot of attention from the casuals. We will see in 5 days.