Microsoft confirms Xbox announcement for tomorrow - News - Hardware

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Microsoft confirms Xbox announcement for tomorrow

By Abby Dinham, ZDNet Australia
March 29, 2004
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/hardware/soa/Microsoft-confirms-Xbox-announcement-for-tomorrow/0,130061702,139118996,00.htm

Microsoft Australia confirmed today that it will be making an announcement tomorrow relating to its video game system Xbox, following predictions by US analysts over the weekend that a price cut for the games console is imminent.

Spokespeople for Microsoft remain tight-lipped about the details of the announcement, however US analyst Tony Gikas has stated that he expects Microsoft will cut the price of its Xbox game console by US$30.

The Xbox consoles debuted on the Australian market at a retail price of AU$649, with the price dropping to AU$399 mid 2002.

The console currently sells for a standalone price of AU$299, however bundle price packages that include games and various pieces of hardware are also on sale.

First-release Xbox games retail from around AU$89 to AU$99 depending on the vendor; there has been no mention of a reduction in games prices.

Microsoft's biggest competitor in gaming, Sony Playstation 2 (PS2), says it has no plans to reduce the price of its console if Microsoft lowers Xbox prices.

A spokesperson from Sony Computer Entertainment Australia said the company already has a discount offering available, with a retail price bundle of AU$329.95 that includes a platinum game and DVD remote, equating to saving of around AU$100.