^ Original price cut rumor for August...

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7222343&postcount=909

Microsoft tends to give Japan much better deals due to how weak sales are over there. I wouldn't take this as a sign of anything much for us here in the West.

No I highly doubt another price cut is on its way for North America. There are many reasons for the Japanese price cut and not a North American price cut.

Microsoft's X-Box 360 has sold very very poorly in Japan which is one of the most important global markets for gaming products. Infact it is second only to the North American marke. The two highest points in the consoles history (In Japan) came with the launches of BlueDragon and Halo3. BlueDragon boosted hardware sales immensly infact if I remember correctly even stronger then Halo3 recently did. However even after these boosts the hardware continued to out perform even the PlayStation3.

Microsoft dropped the Japanese price earlier this year to match the Nintendo Wii's price point. This however only marginally boosted sales of the hardware. So with Halo3 having just driven hardware sales a little higher I'm betting Microsoft is going to try to turn it around capitalizing on their momentary gains. By initiating a price cut right after Halo3 I think they are trying to over take the PlayStation3's monthly sales or at least come into range of true competition.

Now why won't they make any similiar price cut in North America? Because the North American market remains stable and with Halo3 having just been released the hardware is selling almost in line with Nintendo's Wii. These increased sales don't need any help from a price cut why cut the price if you are turning a bigger profit without the cut?

A price cut next year is again not that likely at least untill fall next year. With Microsoft having a solid line-up for next year (Banjo,HaloWars,Fable2) their shouldn't be any complications in pushing adequate amounts of hardware in North America and Europe.

So why was the price cut made?, it was made to bring the 360 into a more competative position. Better enabling it to compete price wise with Nintendo Wii and giving the current boost in sales another boost. It is only to help Microsoft make gains in the Japanese market a place where Microsoft has realized they need massive help and they need to improve their image in Japan before they launch their next console in a few years!

I really dont see the PS3 having any games they care about,Bladestorm, Ridge Racer and Dynasty Warriors GUndam sold well but they were all multiplatform. Resistance sold well as well and its a FPS, somthing there is no shortage of on the XBOX. Its much cheaper in Japan compared to the PS3, and has RPG's 3rd person shooters, FPS's and racers other things. I dont see what it offers different than PS3. Now I will give that PS3 has anticipated titles like FF/MGS and probably others.....maybe thats the reason.

We'll see another price cut in the US after March 31st 2008. (End of the current fiscal year). This will most likely happen during GTA4's Q2 marketing blitz. Since the Falcons are already out and the 65nm GPU's will be out in the summer of 08, I am expecting a drop to $199, $249, $349 price points for the arcade, premium and elite respectively. With an entry price of $199 for GTA4, it would definitely help sales through the summer lulls that historically happen over that period. With Sony at $399 right now and most likely for a while, GTA4 will be quite indicative of where the mainstream consumers will vote with their money.

That and brand name. But its not like the system has been selling really well, just OK.

MS has a whole bunch of other problems that they still need to overcome, not least of which is branding issues. Price is the least of their concerns in Japan. 

 There are plenty of Hdmi Premiums in Belgium and France too.

Well I guess they're changing the name of the Premium, too. The JP stores I've checked out now have it listed as the the 360 Value Pack(available from 11/1) That is with the 5000 yen discounted price and the 2 pack-in games (Forza 2 and Viva Pinata). Should definitely help to increase sales somewhat.

As for another price cut in the US, I highly doubt it. JP did not receive the earlier price cut ($50) like the US. The price was still the same from when I bought my 360 here this past Feb. It seems like the original price cut is just finally coming for all regions(was only the US/EU before).

I just hope they reduce the price of the Elite(not likely since it just came out less than 2 weeks ago here) and include the pack-in games with it. I want to pick up an Elite for myself sometime ;p

They won't cut the price on the X360 again this year, MS has made that clear with the bundles. Microsoft hasn't cut the X360 price in over a year in Japan.....So it's not like it got a cut earlier this year.

Microsoft will only drop the price on the X360 in the US/PAL again for 2 reasons:

#1. The Playstation 3 really starts taking off (ie, beating the X360 in the US by a decent margin).

#2. Xbox 360 sales significantly errode in the holiday + January timeframe.

Outside of that, I wouldn't anticipate another drop until March with Grand Theft Auto 4. IMO, a drop when that comes out would be very effective - you'd have alot of other good releases around then, plus a Halo 3-rivaling game.

I don't think they will but it would be nice if they did.