Thu, Aug 27, 2009 | 11:04 BST
Lewis – 360 Arcade hike down to “currency fluctuations”
Xbox Europe boss Chris Lewis has told MCV that the now-confirmed 360 Arcade SKU price hike to £159.99 from £129.99 is thanks in part to exchange rates.
“We are making modest increases on the Xbox 360 Arcade console as you can see,” said the exec.
“The reality now is partly to offset currency exchange rate fluctuations which have impacted us in local market conditions – particularly in the UK.
“And you’ve seen other consumer products operate in the same way. But I think even with that we still offer the most affordable console in the marketplace out there.
“So we’ve reset the price point largely based on exchange rate fluctuations, but are still very happy we offer great value through the Xbox 360 Arcade.”
Microsoft said this morning that Arcade would rise £30 in the UK, while the Elite pack would drop to £199.99.
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Posted in: Hot, Microsoft, Trade, Xbox 360
Tags: Arcade, chris lewis, price cut, price rise
10 comments
#1
DrDamn
27/08/09, 11:25 am
Seems confirmed now that the Arcade pack is not getting a HDD. Did he also explain why the Elite gets cheaper due to currency exchange rates? I’m guessing the other reason the Arcade is increasing in price is to subsidise the Elite price reduction.
#2
Zarckan
27/08/09, 11:37 am
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I’m laughing so much some wee has come out.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
#3
Psychotext
27/08/09, 11:41 am
o…….k…….
#4
G1GAHURTZ
27/08/09, 11:45 am
Stupid.
#5
SunKing
27/08/09, 11:53 am
This way consumers get the flexibility of choice between an SKU with pathetic value for money and one that offers okay-ish value for money while also making it possible for the owner to buy more stuff over XBLA.
I wonder which one Microsoft are trying to get people to buy, hmm?
Damn, Microsoft are pissing me off today.
#6
Tonka
27/08/09, 12:30 pm
Arcade +30GBP
Elite” -30GBP
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..
#7
deftangel
27/08/09, 2:06 pm
Someone explain to me how he gets away with describing a 20 percent hike as a “modest increase”?
#8
DUFFKING
27/08/09, 3:05 pm
So it’s not been done to make the Elite version look cheaper? Ok.
#9
Michael O'Connor
27/08/09, 4:48 pm
“So it’s not been done to make the Elite version look cheaper? Ok.”
It’s been done for the exact same reason as the increase in the Wii’s price was done; the terrible strength of the of the British pound.
Lets not forget that this *isn’t* a worldwide price increase, a fact which 99% of seem deliberately intent on ignoring.
#10
Cort
27/08/09, 10:33 pm
Sterling’s worth nearly 20% more today against the US Dollar than it was six months ago and is around 8% higher than it’s ten year average of around a buck fifty (so stop peddling that bullshit meme O’Connor). He’s full of shit even without having to explain why the Elite apparently has it’s very own exchange rate.
30 squids more on one and 30 less on the other. If only some commentators weren’t deliberately intent on ignoring highly salient points such as this …..