If you’re an Xbox 360 owner in North America who has been thinking about purchasing a Kinect, now may very well be the best time to do so.
Yes, Microsoft has announced that it is slashing $40 off the official US price of its Kinect platform, bringing the purchase price to a very reasonable $109.99.
The new price point will be available first within the United States, and is expected to hit Latin America in the near future, along with Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific countries in October. Unfortunately, the price cut does not extend to countries in Europe at this time.
The new price point is likely to spur further adoption of the Kinect, especially as the device can now be used for more than gaming – with many apps and menus on Xbox Live offering navigation options via gestures when a Kinect is present.
Those expecting a similar cut for the Xbox 360 may have to wait a bit longer, as it remains unclear when or if such cuts will occur.
“Price cut no, bundles yes. For now, I think Microsoft is happy with Xbox sales and some early traction in the different pricing models they have rolled out at retail,” Colin Sebastian of RW Baird told GamesIndustry.
“We still expect the launch of the next Xbox in the fall of 2013, so there will still need to be a price cut on the current gen, although perhaps not until after the holidays. I am sure retailers will offer their own promotions this holiday though.”
Jesse Divnich of EEDAR expressed similar sentiments.
“I don’t believe an Xbox 360 price cut is imminent. The Xbox 360 hardware still leads in sales and I do doubt whether we even see a price cut at all in 2012. However, we should expect a holiday season full of discounted and limited edition bundles that, on paper, would reflect a price cut. But a full price cut on the base hardware, I wouldn’t expect one until early 2013.
“Of course, this is entirely dependent upon the success of the Wii U. If the Wii U comes flying out of the gates and begins to impact Xbox 360 hardware, I would expect Microsoft to react swiftly with a price cut or more aggressive retail promotions.”
