Microsoft E3 preview: Price drop anyone?

Rumors are flying around about what will be announced at E3, yet little of this speculation has anything to do with Microsoft exclusively--until now. Not to be outdone by Sony's recent actions, at this year's E3, Microsoft is planning to announce a price drop on all three versions of the Xbox 360. Next-gen is reporting that the new prices will go as follows:

"The $299 Core pack will drop to $249; the $399 Premium pack will drop to $349; and the recently released $479 Elite model will drop to $399."

Also potentially showing its face at E3 is the keyboard attachment for Xbox 360 controllers Microsoft had hinted about, so we'd imagine to get more details on that this week as well. Also, don't be surprised if we finally hear more about the new 65nm processor Xbox 360's (now internally referred to as "Falcon" units) and when they will be available for purchase. These new chips allow for production costs to come down as well as lower the amount of power consumed by the console.

While new Microsoft hardware may be scarce at the show, a plethora of new games to enjoy on your Xbox 360 will be shown and announced. Here is just a taste of what E3 games you'll want to keep an eye out for:

• Bioshock
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat
• Halo 3 (as if you forgot)
• Mass Effect
• Assassin's Creed

Stay here for all of our E3 gaming coverage as the show kicks off tomorrow!

[sk8flawzz]

its official..

iono about the price but the new hardware is official<br /><br />www.afterdawn.com

[brandonh33]

So what? Try harder Microsoft!

Even with the price drop it still cant compete with the ps3. Do the math. 400 for best console+100 for wireless internet+200 for hd-dvd reader+60 for xbox live+35 for bluetooth. that is $795. 500 ps3+30 for hdmi+75 for 120gb hdd. thats $605. Not to mention the Ps3 processor is much better, and nothing is external!

[make_or_break]

But where are the games?

Sorry...the hardware may have promise and value, but it's the gaming software that needs to carry the day, and for now the PS3 just doesn't have it.

[Berkelium97]

Accessories not required.

Only one item you listed is essential to get the maximum value out of games on the 360: Xbox live. And double check your price on that. Not only is it not $60 (it's $50), but places like amazon.com and Circuit City often have it on sale for as low as $35.<br /><br />If you want to match the two systems exactly (though why you would need bluetooth for a 360 is beyond my understanding), then the PS3 is a better value. But how many 360 owners need both a wireless adapter and an HD-DVD drive? Not many, I'm guessing.

[Nx2M]

It's a gaming system not a nuclear war

There's no point in listing off the specs on both systems to compare. The reason I think why the PS3 is being outsold now is because of the games that are available. The 360 has more and better quality games at the moment (not that the ps3 can't deliver eventually). I think people notice that there isn't a particular reason for spending so much money besides the potential. The Wii has sold very well by appealing to such a wide audience with the price and simplicity.

[make_or_break]

Ain't competition grand?

Dropping prices is a GOOD thing, even if it doesn't really matter to me since I've already have a 360 Premium for a year and a half (no RROD yet--(fingers crossed)). Now Sony...time to give it up and fire back...like you can really afford it...or afford not to, given the PS3's latest round of pathetic sales numbers. Not like many of your available game titles have been anything to drool about, anyways.<br /><br />Perhaps sweet vengeance for that totally unrelated rootkit fiasco, eh Sony?

[brandonh33]

Gamers need to think

The thing about gamers today is when they buy a product they only look at the cost of the unit and not how much else they are going to end up paying. Also they buy their systems for today, not in a month or two. In the next couple of months i am excited for some new games that will attract people. Even things like Madden 08 should bring people to the ps3, the graphics this year are much better on it then any other console. I think very soon people will realize how much better the graphics are on the PS3 and come swarming to it, but for now games like Virtua tennis 3 or spiderman arnt going to cut it.

[dee32181]

you dont know what you are talking about brandon

Just for your information the ps3 version of madden 08 runs at 30 frames per second to ahieve the graphical fidelity of the xbox 360 version but runs at 60 frames per second. Please check your facts before posting erroneous information....the ps3 is not the powerhouse that everyone thought it once was, as far as football games are concerned..2k sports has the same problem with all pro football 2k8

[brandonh33]

Get a clue

I think you are the one who needs to check their facts. My cousin got a job at easports just a few months ago and i got that info strait from him, and he has already seen the demos. I have a feeling you just made all that info up show me your source of info because i know for a fact it is wrong.

[dee32181]

no brandon check out 1up.com

Check out the 1up.com and look for the ps3 football troubles article. It clearly states that all of the next gen versions look the same graphically but the ps3 version runs at 30 frames per second, while the 360 version runs at 60 frames per second on both madden 2008 and all pro football 2k8. sorry that you bought into sonys hype and bought a 600 dollar piece of potential. Hopefully in the future the developers will start to make the ps3 run as efficiently as the 360, but at the moment it aint looking that way. You need to check your facts from your cousin who heard from somebody who saw the game on his friends computer.. I dont spread heresay just facts....just as you should.....check out that website ...you may have to look in the archives cause that article was a week old...

[dee32181]

brandon the info came from ea

1up visited the ea headquarters and they were told about the problems they were having with the ps3 version...I highly doubt that you have a cousin or any family member that works at EA sports because if you did you would have known this piece of valuable information.....

[dee32181]

here is the link to 1up article on the ps3

www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3160709<br /><br /><br />..as i said earlier....just give facts not heresay

[dee32181]

here is the link to 1up article on the ps3

www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3160709<br /><br /><br />..as i said earlier....just give facts not heresay brandon....

[brandonh33]

Interesting

My cousin works directly for ea and i believe he worked on the madden project for one week. If this info is true which it looks like most likely will be I am very disappointed. Although movie speed is around 28fps, this is still something i wish they would fix. if i get any more info on this subject i will post.

[hardrockguru]

Brandon...

SHUT THE F*** UP!

[jmack4318]

XBOX 360 VS. PS3

well i've played both systems , let me just say do'nt even pick up that high priced azz piece of **** They call the PS3 . As you can see nobody wants this machine, your better off buying a psp. Sony needs to stop making the ps3 and focus on redesigning the psp, Crown the new king xbox 360 . you can find me on xboxlive gamer tag Jmackchicago24 hahaaahaaaaaaa

[brandonh33]

Some people are such jurks

I hate people like you who just think that whatever you have is better than whatever any other person has. xbox 360 is at its peak and can only go downhill now where the ps3 has much more room for improvement, i own both consoles and by far the ps3 is better, not that i dont like my xbox360 but there is a new ruler of the gaming world