NotStan said:
Imo 2011 could well be 360 peak year, if they slash the price of 250GB SKU's to $199 and price of 4GB SKU's to around ~$125, adding kinect bundle into the mix for around ~$75 when coming with additional console, it could cause serious damage. I think it all primarily comes down to what MS will release for Kinect next year, if it's a serious mix of core titles and party titles, it will succeed by taking two birds down with one stone - the cores and casuals. Dramatic slashes I know, but it seems like all 3 consoles are likely to cut prices next year, with maybe an exception of Sony as it still was barely into double digit profits last time they reported their manufacturing costs, so the competition will be fierce, through some walmart gift cards into the mix(Even 20$) and the next holiday will be entertaining with meltdowns on all sides as sales will keep jumping all over the place, although I think that Wii might have it's best holiday yet if the price is slashed. |
The last price cut was in August of 2008. IF they wait until August to cut again, that will be a full THREE YEARS between price cuts. Add the fact that they did a full system redesign without cutting the price already and the reality of what they can do in 2011 becomes apparent: a Kinect bundle at $199. That would be Kinect dropping to $99, the 4gb console dropping to $149 and 250gb dropping to $250 (or possibly $199). And that, folks, is only a $50 price cut on current prices. Is there ANYONE out there that doesn't think MS can do this next year?
So will this be the peak year of the 360? I say no. 2011, by all intents and purposes, should be. Kinect/redesign effect lasting from now to early spring with late summer to holiday benefiting off of a price cut. I know this isn't a prediction thread for 2011 (so expect to see this repeated elsewhere), but I'm just complementing the two quoted posts. 63-65 million come the end of 2011 is more than possible.
