The PS4 has been outselling the Xbox One – last numbers showed Sony’s console beating Microsoft’s by two to one. Now, the Xbox One is getting a Titanfall bundle, a sure fire way to sell more units. But it’s the price drop that is most interesting.
First up, the Titanfall Xbox One Special Edition Bundle. Confirmed by Major Nelson, the bundle has all the usual Xbox One stuff (console, Kinect, controller and headset) as well as a download code for a digital copy of Titanfall and a one month Xbox Live Gold membership. If you want that Titanfall Xbox One controller, you’ll have to buy that separately. The retail price is $499 in the US of A – this means that the game is essentially free for those who waited to get the console in this bundle. But it’s an even better deal for those living in the UK.
That’s right, instead of the initial RRP of £429, the console has been confirmed as going for £399 in the UK from 28 February. Harvey Eagle explained:
I’m not going to comment on the specifics of the individual lines of business, as it were, or on console costs, but the way we look at it is very much as an ecosystem. It’s about selling as many consoles as we can to create that install base, then where possible, trying to attach games, accessories, LIVE subscriptions and transactions to those customers. That’s a business model that’s worked well for us with the Xbox 360 and will hopefully continue with the Xbox One.
The UK is obviously an important territory for anyone in the console business – it’s the second biggest market in the world, so I don’t think we’re any different to anyone else in terms of placing high value on the UK as a territory. This is about it being the right time to offer the best value we can – to adjust the price point and get it down to £399 in support of Titanfall, which as you know is one of the hottest games on any platform. We’ve seen two million people play the beta and the feedback we’ve had has been incredible really.
I get it, the UK is important. Considering the special relationship between EA and Microsoft (two beloved corporations), it makes sense that they would work together closely on Titanfall to ensure a large install base. While any price drop can be great for consumers, I’m not sure this move is that wonderful for all gamers.
Three months ago, people queued for hours in order to get their hands on the Xbox One. There’s even that wonderful picture of that guy hugging his new console. Yet those early adopters are getting a serious kick in the teeth. The console isn’t even three months old, plus we kept being assured that there’d be no prices drops for quite some time, and yet already those early adopters are made to look like idiots – at least in the UK. Besides, if a price drop like this can happen in the UK, what’s to stop other markets from not buying the new console until it also comes down in price? Now, all those people in the UK who thought they’d wait a bit to buy the Xbox One are vindicated – why be an early adopter when all the benefits come to those who wait? While this may be better for building an install base, it certainly does not build good faith among hardcore gamers who supported the console from the start.
Last Updated: February 25, 2014
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 07:55
Lol Noobs… Neva eva buy Day 1…. Look at all the bad examples:
Aliens:CM
Duke Nukem Forever
Brenda’s Biography
XBONE
FF Lightning Returns.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 08:04
Hehehe Brenda’s Biography. I’m sure there are good day 1 examples as well like
Dark Souls
Skyrim
Fallout 3
Far Cry 3
PS4
General JJ the ashamed
February 25, 2014 at 08:07
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No comment
Brady miaau
February 25, 2014 at 08:13
well, yes and no. Fallout Game of the Year Edition (3 and New Vegas) is just awesome. Play the game first time with all the bells and whistles and stuff. I found that Awesome. Skyrim, I now have to “gear” myself up to replay for the DLC stuff.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 08:15
I never played all any DLC for Fallout 3 but I will always remember stumbling out of the vault into the wasteland.
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 08:16
Actually started a new Fallout 3 game last week… Man how games have changed since then…
General JJ the ashamed
February 25, 2014 at 08:22
Not always better though. I replayed Fallout 3 recently and enjoyed it more than some of the new games.
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 08:24
True dat.. Most of the AAA games are nothing more than a mild distraction at the moment, oh yay, new game to play (throws it in new pile, then boots up Skyrim)
General JJ the ashamed
February 25, 2014 at 08:25
Happens too often, sadly.
Skyblue
February 25, 2014 at 09:56
Dark Souls PC is still a mess unmodded
Skyrim had too many bugs on release (I still loved it)
Fallout 3 was good
Far Cry 3 was meh
PS4 has no games
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 10:07
Sure it has games. I can give you a quick list if you want
Skyblue
February 25, 2014 at 10:54
LIES!
Skyblue
February 25, 2014 at 10:55
… And I post the unphotoshopped one… sigh
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 11:24
LOL
Shodan
February 25, 2014 at 16:14
PS3?
Skyblue
February 25, 2014 at 16:45
I actually posted the wrong image. I edited a pic to say PS4 and then posted the wrong damn image. I’ll just find my own way back to the DOH! corner thanks. Cool name btw ;p
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 08:30
you forgot to mention Thief…
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 08:32
I dunno man
i think that I am gonna get it still this weekend. The fact that it is true to the original Thief, has me excited..
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 08:39
I hear what you saying, but in some regards, the whole thief thing is done and dusted. I mean if thief came out now and never came out in the past maybe it would of had more appeal, but either way all that matters is if YOU enjoy the game. I have bought maybe games that didn’t receive the best review and I enjoyed them alot.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 08:00
Well shit, wondering how mister Kruger feels about this. If it was me…
http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aeNmyOW_460sa.gif
Brady miaau
February 25, 2014 at 08:12
400 * 18-ish = R7200 (also the amount of seconds in two hours). So still not where we want to be locally. Or is there no bearing on the UK price and the future, to be announced, SA price?
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 08:20
Still better than sitting over the border in Zim…. Buying from your British companies that we do not need in Zim, unless you have the urge to spend your Billions
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2014 at 08:14
OUCH! Just got my teeth kicked out!! But this is such a bargain I’ll simply have to order this immediately!!! Feels like I’ll lose money if I don’t!!! ????
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
February 25, 2014 at 08:18
Meh, give it another 12 months Minimum… Nothing worthwhile on any of the Consoles at the moment that would warrant such a heavy investment..
Rikus
February 25, 2014 at 15:20
Can I buy your old one for cheap cheap?
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:26
Can I have your old one? I need a massive door stop.
Rikus
February 25, 2014 at 15:27
hey! back in the line buddy. I have first dibbs
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:32
Fight! Fight! Fight! The Battle for a Massive Door Stop!
Rikus
February 25, 2014 at 15:33
and just like that, a market was created for a massive door stop
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2014 at 16:43
Sorry guy, actually using it to play games! See, I’m a gamer, not a pixel counter!!!! ????
JustAnotherGamer
February 26, 2014 at 09:55
Real gamers would have bought a PS4 or a PC. Only TV watchers and casuals buy a door stop VCR.
Rikus
February 26, 2014 at 13:06
But even real gamers need something to keep the door open while they game to create a draft
Rikus
February 26, 2014 at 13:08
But if you buy the Titanfall bundle, you would have two! That’s almost more games than you actually have to play on the Xbone
General JJ the ashamed
February 25, 2014 at 08:22
I see there’s a deep silver sale on the humble store. Nothing too interesting though.
HvR
February 25, 2014 at 08:26
More hoohaaa and corporate BS.
The US dollar grew more than 10% against the Brititsh pound since launch prices were calculated and released.
This is a price readjustment.
eXpZA
February 25, 2014 at 09:17
This needs to be at the top. It’s no cut, it’s merely keeping the exchange rate in check.
Steve
February 25, 2014 at 11:34
the dollar fell against the £ not grew. but still im peed off that I paid £429 for a 720p limited resolution console with fifa14 where new adopters are getting discount and a less lame game
Anon A Mouse
February 25, 2014 at 08:29
In the US of A most retailers like Wal-Mart and Target are giving a $50 voucher with the sale of an XBone for a month or two already. This in essence is also seen as a price drop to get the units out. So no biggy, and the $ strengthened against the pound as well, so they just adjusted the price for that as well.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
February 25, 2014 at 09:53
Mmmm.. Can you smell the panic? Microsoft must be shaking in their boots. The real question is, what should Sony do, and the truth is, they should just shrug their shoulders and ignore it. The inferior 720 Bone is still more expensive than the mighty playstation 4.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
February 25, 2014 at 10:00
The weird thing is, the boner was still about $100 more expensive in the UK, so this price drop just brings it down to (still more expensive but closer to) the US price point. I mean it’s actually ridiculous when you think about it.
Never change Microsoft and EA!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
February 25, 2014 at 10:31
HHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA a download code for Titanfall? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oh Microsoft, you clever but cheap bastards. So, they’re essentially selling a normal xbone in a new box, with a code thrown in (and without the disgustingly awful looking titanfall controller), AND it a slightly higher price than in the US (because the UK and EU are always paying a premium for their Boners)!
You crafty sleazy bastards!
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 11:02
The UK is all Microsoft has outside of MERICA.
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:15
And brazil – only place in the world that hasn’t gone PS4 crazy. But thats more because of their crazy laws though.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 25, 2014 at 15:02
I bet you R10 that the remote & headphone adapter will increase in price, coincidentally.
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:14
The UK needed the price drop because they paid a lot more for their xones than anyone else. It still means they get screwed though, because the xone is still more expensive there than in america.
Rikus
February 25, 2014 at 15:24
The most ridiculous thing to me, is that the Titanfall controller is not included. Damn, talk about milking the Titan until it Falls.
(yes, I do realize that was lame)
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:25
it’s a titanic fail
Jonah Cash
February 26, 2014 at 08:29
These business decisions is the reason why I now own a PS4… They don’t care about the core players from their Xbox 360 install base!! I won’t be a customer of theirs for quite some time, maybe if I can buy a BONE for R2000 I would consider it!!