Will Xbox 360 Core become Xbox 360 Arcade on August 24th?

It appears the Xbox 360 rumor mill is hard-partying once again, this time over the fairly sketchy information that in addition to the European price cut we mentioned earlier, the game system may be receiving a "changing of the guard" on the SKU front, with the dismissal of the Core system, and the inclusion of a new "Arcade" package. Word on Box Street is that Microsoft is about to upend the low-impact Core units, add an HDMI port, throw five free XBLA games in the mix, slap on a wireless controller, and put a new line of text somewhere on the box. Otherwise the system will remain the same -- AKA no hard drive, white finish, and a target of constant ridicule by your friends, and will be made available for €279 (or about $376). The whole thing makes you wonder if this could have something to do with that discontinued SKU rumor we keep hearing about in the US. Can't wait to find out? Join the club.

[Via Joystiq]

[f @ Aug 20th 2007 6:03PM]

uh,

what's the point in giving 5 xbla games for free when there's no hard drive?

[jayeffaar @ Aug 20th 2007 6:09PM]

The 5 games are pre-loaded on an included 256 MB memory card.

[kingofwale @ Aug 20th 2007 6:12PM]

another desperate shot at getting into the 'casual' gamer market.

how about making a console that won't break on you, microsoft?

[Phillip Black @ Aug 20th 2007 6:15PM]

They are it's called the Falcon.

[John Doe @ Aug 20th 2007 6:27PM]

Or break the bank. $300 seems to be the sweet spot IMHO.

[jegHegy @ Aug 20th 2007 6:14PM]

Weak attempt to make the console look more appealing to the so-called casual gamers.

[polar @ Aug 20th 2007 6:15PM]

The finish looks gray now, not white.

[Taylor @ Aug 20th 2007 6:18PM]

The article fails to mention the inclusion of a memory card, which, like someone said, would be needed to hold the games.
-Taylor

[sracer @ Aug 20th 2007 6:33PM]

Dumb move. If it is going to be "Arcade" it makes more sense to eliminate the DVD drive and internalize the harddrive... and drop the price $100. Yes, $100... because MS will make that money up on for-pay downloads. XBLA downloads, video downloads, etc.

[John Doe @ Aug 20th 2007 6:37PM]

That's stupid. Get rid of the DVD drive and you get rid of 100% of the disk based games for the 360. Traditionally consoles make their money on games. Not hardware and I can guarantee you that XBL is not what is making the lion's share of the "profit"

[John Doe @ Aug 20th 2007 6:35PM]

I seriously wonder how much it would cost MS to contract say Seagate to create a single 60GB platter. Or what ever is there cheapest capacity platter and "throw" it into a run of the mill enclosure with moderate cache and a 5400 RPM spindle. I know there are economics of scale involved, but I still wonder if it would be more then just outright buying a 40GB drive.

[Namarrgon @ Aug 20th 2007 7:55PM]

To run the Xbox Live network perhaps?

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 20th 2007 8:43PM]

it's FREE on ps3 becuase it's fucking $800bagilion dollars dude!

if I was charging that much for a console I could make a free network too. it doesn;t cost sony as much to run the network becuase it doesn't DO as much as microsofts. now if they add HOME or other features that changes, but as of today, it's a crap extra, so it better be free.

[safaria @ Aug 20th 2007 10:35PM]

PSN is NOTHING like XBL. they just try and copy but mostly fail.

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 20th 2007 7:24PM]

Actually, considering Microsoft loses money for each console sold and tries to make it back with licensing fees... it is safer to assume that the lion's share of money made DOES come from Xbox live.

Microsoft charges $50 a YEAR to use a service which is completely free on SONY's Playstation 3.

Where is all that money going?

[Mattb90 @ Aug 20th 2007 6:40PM]

That has got to be some terrible photoshopping on that image. Errors like the non-existent 256MB Memory Unit don't help either.

[Tim Millwood @ Aug 20th 2007 7:04PM]

So if the premium one has HDMI, I might get that instead of the Elite, I may even consider the "Arcade" core. I don't need a hard drive, a HDMI is a real must though to future proof it.

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 20th 2007 8:46PM]

future proof.. in the future xbox360's will be cheap as hell the same as an original xbox is like $80 now. futureproof and buying tech toys should never be put in the same sentence. for the extra money you psend now you could save it and buy a whole second console when you arrive at the future. ohh ahh the future, such an amazing place

[CharlieX @ Aug 20th 2007 6:57PM]

Hell, they should add another product: Xbox 360 - Refurbished. And the tagline could read: "Who knows?!" Sell it cheap, sub $300, and have a very limited warranty attached to it; probably a week or so based on my personal experiences.

[arthur @ Aug 20th 2007 7:12PM]

Microsoft is not doing this Arcade thing.This would be the worst strategy to attract casual gamers and plus it would cause major loss for them since no one will really but an Xbox 360 to play arcade games.The website that published this is just trying to get some attention.If you have not noticed yet, before every major gaming convention some website out there creates various rumors

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 20th 2007 7:33PM]

I think you are just plain wrong.
I think MS IS GOING TO DO THIS - THIS WAY TOO.

#1 They've made plenty of changes to system prices recently which signals a restructuring of priority.

They are trying to stay further ahead of the Playstation 3 now that its getting games on the shelves.

#2 It makes no sense to completely get rid of the CORE system. It does however make sense to make it slightly better and re-release it with a couple games already in it that will almost certainly hook the casual gamer to a subscription of XBOX LIVE. Since many of them will want to test the digital media uses of the system.

They even included the HDMI port - which tells me that they are probabbly more interested in offering an Xbox system to be used as a Media Player.

What Microsoft should do however (what they shoulda done with the Elite) was include a Next Generation DVD player. Either HD DVD or Blu Ray (better to have Blu Ray) and just leave the price at $479 which woulda made the 360 the cheapest Blu Ray machine on the market.

And YES...considering Xbox Live Arcade games cost well under the price of game disks, I am sure there are plenty of Casual gamers who'd rather simply buy a $20 or $40 point card then go out spending $59 on each new title just so they can play card games, board games or download movies.

[sracer @ Aug 20th 2007 7:35PM]

MS makes more money on Marketplace downloads than on a percentage of game disc sales. A DVD-driveless 360 selling for $200-$225 would sell better than the Core system. There are people who would buy such an "Arcade" offering as additional Media Center extenders.

The inclusion of the harddrive (bump it up to 40-60GB) makes it possible to download games, and VOD purchases/rentals.

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 20th 2007 7:55PM]

It would be anathema to sell ANY 360 unit without a DVD Drive.

The obvious reason is because the majority of the 360's software has been distributed on DVD media.

Many of the launch titles cost a mere $20 now. Why would you produce a system that would lock new buyers out of purchasing old/used games?

That's ludicrous.

Not to mention Halo 3 coming out soon. You'd be a fool to make the only possibility of acquiring new games DOWNLOADS...

It takes a VERY LONG TIME to download 5 ~9 Gigabytes.

It wouldn't be prudent to include a HARD DRIVE in the cheapest models because of course, a HDD raises the retail price and the costs of warranty and maintenance.

[h0mi @ Aug 20th 2007 8:04PM]

It'd also be quieter, and get the hddvd add on, would be an attractive media player.

[echo @ Aug 20th 2007 8:06PM]

You do realize the dvd drive costs no more than probably $15

[Alex @ Aug 21st 2007 4:30PM]

Wow for all of you that said it doesn't say anything about a 256mb memory card, you are obviously blind. Just look at the damn picture.

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 20th 2007 8:39PM]

I hope that's not the real box for the xbox arcade, it looks like nothign more than a ripoff of an apple poster.

wow look, shaded out charachters fying around on a mono color background.

way to go on originality. honestly...

[Blah @ Aug 20th 2007 10:24PM]

Why, oh why does all Microsoft news attract Apple fanboys.

When Apple makes a console, then you can complain.

As a matter of fact, when Apple makes a PC that is better than my 600 HP laptop (desktop included, minus PowerMac, in which case: better than my 1500 custom PC), then you can talk.

BTW, im a Sony fan, but own an XBOX due to its recent price drop.

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 20th 2007 11:03PM]

and why oh why does critiquing something that's an obvious ripoff always result in fanboi comments from annoying n00bs. I own an xbox, don't own a mac. doesn't make this any less of a rip off.

perhaps if the console you owned (ps3) had games for it you could be off playing them instead of making lame comments like that one.

[Archietype @ Aug 21st 2007 5:19AM]

"wow look, shaded out charachters fying around on a mono color background.

way to go on originality. honestly..."

You're joking I assume...I mean, you do realise that Apple didn't invent this rather basic artistic concept, right?

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 21st 2007 12:08PM]

no you're right, they didn't, however it's the thing they're using right now. so using the same thing results in copying status. like, they didn't invent seethru coloured plastic, but when everyone started making products around the same time in seethru coloured plastic, that's called "copying".

as a designer, this is a ripoff of apples current style. if you can't see it, then you're blind dude.
it annoys me becuase with all the money ms has, they can do far better than imply copy. there's no lack of designers out there willing to do different, ut apaprently they figure people can't handle different.

it's not like ms would copy apple, like good thing vista is unique and the wallpapers, widgets etc.

I use windows/xbox, but I don't delude myself into saying they're not copying when it's obvious they are.

[jax @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:37AM]

I dont see it, i must be blind.
Dude its just the farking box.
Why o why must ppl criticize EVERYTHING microsoft does?
btw since your a designer your last design was a total copy of my design because you used white, and i used white before you!

[Archietype @ Aug 22nd 2007 5:05AM]

"as a designer, this is a ripoff of apples current style. if you can't see it, then you're blind dude."

Sorry mate, but if you're a designer you should be well aware that silhouettes and coloured backgrounds have been used so frequently for print ads and packaging that this isn't so much a case of Microsoft "ripping off" Apple, and more of a case of MS going for a tried and tested style for a fresh and modern look. Pretty much anything you'll create as a designer has been done by someone else in a similar way.

Yes, Apple's has become synonymous with the dancing silhouettes but it was a far from original idea in the first place. Your comment about see-through plastic on computers doesn't really stand because it wasn't something that was already being used frequently in PC boxes, unlike the silhouette idea which was being used constantly in print and TV ads. Incidentally, if it was a proper copycat attempt, the figures would have been in black against a coloured background.

[Garst @ Aug 20th 2007 9:42PM]

What Microsoft needs to do is add the 20GB to the core and put a 80GB drive in the Premium, and up the Elite to 160GB. Have the HDMI connection in all SKUs, and Microsoft will be able to deal a big blow to Sony and even Nintendo, if they don't changed the price or anything else. And if Microsoft adds in a little wireless networking, it would only sweeten the deal.

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Aug 20th 2007 9:44PM]

So, a $500 XBOX with a hdd and wifi(extra) + XBOX live

or

A $500 PS3 that comes with hdd, wifi, and online gaming?

I got my ps3 about a month ago. It just makes sense when comparing the two consoles, unless of course, your a fanboy.

[safaria @ Aug 20th 2007 10:39PM]

it also makes sense to buy the 360 if you like games.

on IGN, 360 has 22 titles getting over a 9... do you know how many the ps3 has? 4 yes 4. that my friends is what you call not having games.

judging by how it is $350 not $500 + XBL is better than PSN + ytf would you use wireless?

[dj-kenpo @ Aug 20th 2007 11:06PM]

apparently having a ps3 means you don't need games. the blu-ray movie disks have interactive menus after all.

it's.. just like a game..

[arman @ Aug 21st 2007 4:43AM]

And of those PS3 games ranked 9 or above, only 2 are truly exlusive to PS3 (motostorm and resistence). Ninja Gaiden Sigma is semi-exclusive in my opinion so as noted above, who have to look at the whole picture and what you want out of your game console.

My own opinion is that I would rather pay the $50 a year for xbox live and get the satisfaction of knowing I am going to get an outstanding online experience. That's little over $4 a month, about the price of a latte! Besides, no one is forcing you to get the live account. You still have access to all the demos and payable online content with the free silver Xbox live membership.

[penn @ Aug 20th 2007 11:34PM]

Microsoft spent the money on building the Service so that there is a service on the other end of the Network. Sony did the opposite by building Wifi networking which largely leads to a dead end service.
Either way, theyre both getting spanked at the moment by the Wii.

Its good to see the xbox 360 can compete with the Wii in terms of price, but still spank the PS3 in terms of graphics and performance in truely next gen games...

[penn @ Aug 20th 2007 11:52PM]

and before anyone brings up Killzone, MGS4 or any other sony exclusive that hasnt been released yet...i just wanna say, that your lucky its not coming out on xbox 360...coz it would end up being better anyway...

If consoles were people, the xbox 360 would be the sexy,curvy loud mouth girl in the class whos top of the class, but has a social life as well from her a huge network of friends,But who occasionaly spazzes out at a certain time of the month

The Wii would the pre-schooler dressed up in superman gear, waving his toy light saber around, whilst talking to imaginary enemies or allies, as well as making all the sound effects for his sword or gun.

While the PS3 is the blabbering Nerd/schizo sitting in the corner working on Pi equations to the nth decimal point. Who keeps talking up all the cool stuff he has at home never brings it school saying he forgot it at home...so we like dont know whether to believe him anymore...

[Hansi @ Aug 21st 2007 9:51AM]

This seems like a great strategy, exactly what they need to do in order to make the Core more appealing

[Christian Zanier @ Aug 21st 2007 4:46PM]

Don't see the fuss here. All they did was Jazz up the core and added the wireless controller, a free 256m memory card and considering it says HDMI cable optional it'll have the HDMI port. Not to mention 5 Argade games. More bang for your buck. If it were a added fifth SKU ( I'm including the Halo3 360). That would be overkill and damn silly.

[scum1 @ Aug 22nd 2007 5:11PM]

Wow will this version play all my ruined disc that my xbox 360 scratched all to hell? Maybe they should put some thought into this problem instead of renaming. I have a totally worthless guitar hero 2 now that my disc no longer works and no MS I did not move the Xbox 360 while running it.

[Stacks @ Nov 14th 2007 12:16AM]

When you buy a core can u still buy a hard drive for it? or a core cant take hard drives?

[Stacks @ Nov 14th 2007 12:20AM]

??