The previously announced Messenger Kit (more affectionately referred to as the chatpad) got an Xbox.com update earlier with a posted sticker price of $29.99. It should be available September 4. Who’s gonna splurge?
Don’t forget that price includes a new headset which you don’t need because the pricks that designed this thing had a field day and thought we all wanted a new connector.
I’m sure you’ve heard the 60gb PS3 price has been cut $100 to a more stomachable $499. And that there is a NEW $599 SKU which gives you… an extra 20GB and Motorstorm. I can’t help but agree with the commentary I’ve read. It’s seems Sony has put themselves right back where they were at launch. There are two price points at $499 and $ 599. Of course you are getting more for your money now, but I’m concerned about the perceived price and value. The 20GB PS3 was canned because no one wanted a gimped PS3 (although there is one collecting dust next to me). The 60GB PS3 definitely isn’t gimped, but with the added SKU, there is still the inhibiting $499/$599 price barrier.
I just can’t see the logic. The 360 is somehow doing fine with 3 SKUs, but at least there is a sizeable difference between them. I guess that’s the trick. You need them to be different enough the justify the price differences, but all must still appeal to a sizeable audience. With the 20GB PS3, most consumers saw how much extra you get for the $100, so it was a no brainer (why the 360 Core didn’t have the same fate, I’m still scratching my head). I would guess now Sony will have the opposite problem (you want $100 more for WHAT?!). All this coupled with the fact they haven’t escaped the $599 price point. Even if no one buys it, Sony needs to ditch that fatal price and get some good PR back.
Even the $100 cheaper 60GB will seem expensive if the rumors pan out true that the 360 is getting a price drop to $249/$349/$399. That puts it in Wii price territory.
All this, and I haven’t even mentioned the new PS3 is dropping the Emotion Engine so they are taking a step backwards in backward compatibility (even though in my opinion the last gen should be behind us, but it looks like the PS2 is selling better than PS3, and is getting more and better games). Oh, plus PS3 is losing exclusives and non-exclusives left and right (no Katamari for you). This should be an interesting E3.
As for the rest of E3:
*Bungie needs to give us some fresh campaign footage to keep the buzz alive.
*Fighting games need to make a comeback cause I’m getting sick of FPS. (apparently a new Mortal Kombat for the DS is in the making).
*Naughty Dog’s Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune – sleeper hit for PS3.
*Super Smash Bros. Brawl to take over the world.
*Killzone 2 will still suck.
Only one question remains…shall he heed the call?
Oh, and if you haven’t already, check out Chief’s customizable headgear!
This video, titled “Gears of War PC ‘E3 Action’ montage”, got the old post and pull treatment at GameVideos.com. Does this confirm Gears is PC bound? Or maybe the title was in error. After all, I didn’t notice any similar content to the Gears we currently know and love. Future DLC, or a peak at the sequel? Time will tell.
