Xbox One got quite a nice price cut in the UK – it’s certainly making it look more affordable for those who want to import it into SA from there. But it’s still pretty lame for all those early adopters who bought the console at the higher price, even though there weren’t many games. So, what does Microsoft have to say to those people? Not much!
Speaking to OXM, Xbox UK Marketing Director Harvey Eagle explained that all they have is appreciation for the early adopters:
We’re hugely appreciative of people that have supported us since launch. What I would say is that mainly the consoles that were bought in the run-up to launch did come with a game included, and this offer is timed to celebrate the launch of Titanfall. Unfortunately we can’t offer a retroactive refund to people, but we thank them very much and we’re hugely appreciative of them being on board since the beginning.
Hm, so a big thank you, and a reminder to go play FIFA? That doesn’t really sound like much to me. If you’ll recall, after Nintendo slashed the 3DS’ price, it rewarded early adopters with a handful of free games from its Virtual console catalogue by way of the Ambassador Program.
Xbox has found a way to alienate everyone, including people who actually pay full price for their console. But wait, there’s more – look at this awesome PR dance when Eagle was asked if they planned the price drop to come after the Titanfall beta.
Q: Did you plan to announce your price cut after Titanfall’s public beta, once everybody’s had a taste of the game?
A: We know that millions of people round the world have been playing the beta, it’s been incredibly successful which we’re thrilled about. It’s actually a great example of – we talked at launch time about dedicated servers and the importance of having that in the gameplay experience, making sure the games were fast and smooth and playing without interruption. The Titanfall beta has been a great example of how that makes the Xbox One experience special.
While he doesn’t say yes, I’m going to take it as such. If the Titanfall beta was a great example of what makes the Xbox One special, they must have planned on using it to test the waters. We already know that the Titanfall beta had two million participants – they obviously saw that there weren’t many from the UK on Xbox One and decided it was the ideal time for a price drop as planned.
Honestly, I still want both consoles. I mainly just want the Xbox One for the controller, and the PS4 for, um, everything else. But I suppose I’ll just keep waiting. Considering the UK price drop, we can only hope that in another eight months when Xbox One finally lands in South Africa the price is actually competitive and affordable.
Last Updated: February 27, 2014
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 08:44
“Microsoft has nothing for Xbox One early adopters”. Nothing could be further from the truth! They gave me weeks of pure enjoyment and entertainment!!????
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 08:45
So what games did you play during that time?
Or did you mostly use it as a media centre?
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 08:51
KI
Powerstar Golf
Titanfall Beta
Forza 5
Fifa 14
Dead Rising
BF4
Ryse
McBeano
February 27, 2014 at 08:56
The sensational headline is there only to spark debate and GIFs.
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 08:58
Gifs:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7L_Vl5WTD8/USQWba2PH4I/AAAAAAAABnk/1jLVdZYlQ7c/s1600/dashiii.gif
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aOqZdBv_460sa.gif
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:50
You win sir 😉
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:01
GGGGGGGGIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSS!
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aeNmn25_460sa.gif
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:30
I see a design flaw.
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 10:45
In the Xbox One or the Gif?
Her Highness the Hipster
February 27, 2014 at 09:02
bring me the GIFS!
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:15
This one fits the bill perfectly
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:19
THATS ME 🙂 RIGHT NOW… at work 🙁
Ottokie
February 27, 2014 at 09:16
Random GIF incomming! Edited too kitty 😛
http://cdn.gifbay.com/2013/04/cat_vs_vacuum_cleaner-44214.gif
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:18
SOCHI games hire Microsoft Launch Events.
http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/uploads/sochi-olympic-rings-not-working.gif
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:18
Still early… need coffee.
Ottokie
February 27, 2014 at 09:20
There you go
http://ohthiskid.com/thedailymeal/coffee-gif1.gif
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:35
MEZMERISZZZZING
Like the only feature that mattered on the console, the music paternizer.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:44
lol
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:51
Winner!
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 09:31
Will this do?…
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/a442pXd_460sa.gif
Ottokie
February 27, 2014 at 09:32
You really are a special kind of strange XD
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:33
Unavengedavo KING OF THE GIFFS
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:33
I forbid you to use gifs.
FFS keep it to the youtube videos.
Unavengedavo
February 27, 2014 at 09:51
I refuse!!!
https://24.media.tumblr.com/96d27d59597c2e64993028533b181fc1/tumblr_n163f4IX5P1qd5mq1o1_500.gif
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:51
I WILL NOT REFRESH!
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:52
At least you can NOT press play!
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:54
Exactly.
I’ve watched 1 of his video’s and it was probably the LEAST disturbing thing he’s posted despite it being one of the most disturbing thing’s I’ve ever seen.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:52
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not even 10am! You clever bastard!
Mark Treloar
February 27, 2014 at 09:06
Lots of Entertainment. All those FAIL articles were the best.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 27, 2014 at 08:45
*snortle*
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 08:45
“competitive and affordable” doesn’t seem like part of Microsoft’s dictionary.
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 08:51
Nintendo did what for the early adopters of the 3DS after the price cut?
30 free games I think it was.
McBeano
February 27, 2014 at 08:58
And what has Nintendo done for early adopters of the Wii U besides no games and pointing and laughing at them? I admire the logic or lack of logic between a handheld and a console.
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:00
Im a Game Cube owner. I know full well 😛
Hence my non early adopting mind set.
Anon A Mouse
February 27, 2014 at 08:52
Can’t see why Microsoft should give something to the early adopters. I don’t like this entitlement element that is more and more prevalent in the gaming community in recent years. You don’t see any retailers give discounts or extras to people that purchased a product for full price when they decide to put it on sale. Why should this be any different?
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 08:59
You have to admit that the XBONE is an expensive investment not to mention a GAMBLE considering nothing has been proven that it is next gen yet. Besides 1080P FORZA Micro machines 😛
Anon A Mouse
February 27, 2014 at 09:59
Can’t be seen as an investment, since the price is dropping ;-). I do still stand that no one forced the early adopters to buy the system. The purchased it knowing that it will drop in price. I think that is why sales were bad to start with. A lot of people are waiting for the price to drop. Now they’ll either buy or wait a bit longer for the price to drop further.
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 10:03
and a rumored SKU with no Kinect 2 around the corner.
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:02
Well it’s likely that some people have decided to wait for the next price drop rather than purchasing now and then the Xbox One getting sold at an even cheaper price a week or 2 later.
If they rewarded early adopters then people would be less likely to worry about losing out due to a price drop.
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:05
exactly.
Last gen they gunned for the early install base by releasing a broken machine while SONY spent an extra year testing the PS3 before it went to market. It worked for Microsoft because even if one had 7 RROD they still kept coming back for more thanks to their 20+ game collection.
This price drop thing smells of insecurity.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:03
Because if people knew they had to wait three months for a price drop no one would have bought it the first day.
Gerhard Davids
February 27, 2014 at 09:13
Because it rustles peoples jimmies. Having bought a console at a premium only for the price to drop in a very short space after you forked out. It’s a tough pill to swallow as a consumer. It’s not about entitlement it’s about a sub par consumer experience that will affect sales of current and future console.
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 08:57
It saddens me that during the DEAL WITH IT episode (before the fcked up launch TV TV TV) they could have hired any one of us from LG to head up their marketing.
AND I PROMISE YOU… they would not need to slash prices right now.
It just proves that gamers are not in charge. Give it 40 years when the baby boomers have all died off and Cliffy B is president of the USA.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:00
So it’s thanks to the day one buyers, but we aren’t selling enough that’s why the price cuts and we can’t lose anymore money so we have nothing to say but thanks. BULLSHIT!
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 27, 2014 at 09:10
Like Nintendo, thanks to our 20 year buyers ($$$$$) we are going to change our demographic for the iPhone casuals. Here is your Wii mote now get waggle waggle waggle.
Notice the i in Wii. Very good marketing. I think the internet crashed when the WORD Wii was announced. That was when tha loyal fans of 2 decades jumped ship to play Gears of War.
NOW THEY CANT GET THEM BACK and they have split their market
RIP Wii U
Laby
February 27, 2014 at 09:03
Lol we can’t say much since we didn’t get the console on launch, but Titanfall strategy does seem dodge haha, the beta was awesome I really enjoyed it! Too bad I’ll be getting my copy on PC since the Xbox One is nowhere to be found in SA yet such a pity.
Hammersteyn
February 27, 2014 at 09:04
Do what rich people does. Import from overseas. Apparently you can plug your DSTV in as well.
Tarisma
February 27, 2014 at 09:06
Also mouse and keyboard > autoaim controller
Laby
February 27, 2014 at 09:11
Hahaha well importing a Xbox One is something I don’t want to do if it breaks then GG, lol if I feel lazy then I’ll pop in the auto aim lol
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 09:24
MS South Africa will honour imported console warranties!
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 09:28
The console version only has one weapon capable of auto aiming, its not the whole game right?
Tarisma
February 27, 2014 at 09:37
Just the smart pistol has auto aim, but from what I have read the console versions “feel” like they have quite a bit of aim magnetism, but all console fps’s do. Hence why I stick to PC for my FPS games.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 27, 2014 at 10:10
I do not experience this with BF4 on PS4. Otherwise I would “be” a pretty good shot! lol
Laby
February 27, 2014 at 10:30
Well most FPS on console has auto aim in SP mode but I haven’t really Expirenced auto aim in MP mode otherwise it would make owning even more easier then it is.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:50
The fact that MS said there ‘Would be no price drops for some time’ and turned around on that is sickening.
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 09:55
From launch till now WAS “some time”
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:56
No, I am meaning it’s the principal of saying something, and NOT meaning it. AGAIN.
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:56
Well it was “some time” between your post and mine as well, technically.
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 09:55
How is it that Xbox One early buyers are not raging at this? I mean come on @pieterkruger:disqussurely you think it is wrong that MS say they won’t drop prices and then do ANOTHER 180 on that? Very poor form on their behalf, and I believe you also bought a One from the UK, not from the US?
Kensei Seraph
February 27, 2014 at 09:56
He says it was worth it for:
KI
Powerstar Golf
Titanfall Beta
Forza 5
Fifa 14
Dead Rising
BF4
Ryse
My Dstv runs through the Xbone, pure beauty!! Walking into my living
room, saying “Xbox on” and watching the Xbox, tv and surround sound
jump to life still makes me smile from ear to ear every time!!????
Johan du Preez
February 27, 2014 at 12:28
So hows you tv integration working ? Just curiosity from a PC gamer …
Pieter Kruger
February 27, 2014 at 10:01
UK yes. Does not bother me one bit! If you’re in the privileged position to be an early adopter you do that very well knowing what you’re getting yourself into! This rings true across all technology markets, the sooner you buy the more you’ll pay, you just have to decide if you’re willing to pay more to have it first or wait it out! Hell my TV I bought for R18k now costs like R7k and I’m not suing Samsung am I?
RinceandGATHERTroops!
February 27, 2014 at 10:05
No, but Samsung didn’t go out of their way to TELL us that they were not going to do something they then did. That is the issue I have.
Rikus
February 27, 2014 at 10:09
Yeah, I also don’t understand this. I think that they are afraid to rage, because then the PS4 early adopters will surely have something to say about it. They don’t want to supply the PS4 fanboys with extra ammo.
Acornbread
February 27, 2014 at 10:49
Glad that controller will be available for PC. 😀
CAE9872
February 27, 2014 at 10:55
Early adopting new tech is always going to be difficult for company doing the selling. If they come out day one saying – here have this for R10 000, but if you wait 3 months you can have it for R8 000.
Everybody waits…
Don’t say anything, people buy and then moan after the event. I was burnt on the 3DS launch, as I was with Plasma TVs back in the day. I agree with Pieter Kruger here though – if you got the benefits/enjoyment from what you were obviously happy to pay at the time, then great.
Suppose its about hits and misses sometimes. Must say though that 30 pound drop in price doesn’t seem that big a deal though (the “free” game does slightly muddy the waters in comparison shopping I suppose). Outrage would be way bigger if it was 100 pound drop.
At the end of the day put yourself in MS shoes – your competition is outselling you and you seeing that install base of theirs grow. Cannot just sit and watch! At least MS doing something – as I would if I was CEO. Price drop around biggest anticipated title of the year makes perfect business sense.
Aussious
February 27, 2014 at 16:32
U bought another Xbox product you better invest in tons and tons of Vaseline tubs…
Rikus
February 27, 2014 at 19:03
http://youtu.be/G3ENI1WUTPU