Xbox 360 pricing crisis averted
It seems that for a brief period of time towards the end of 2008, certain powers that be completely lost touch with reality. Microsoft confirmed a rumor that the new Xbox 360 titles would begin retailing for around R900, and in some cases R1000.
The reasoning behind the increase was attributed to the exchange rate, however, with games retailing for around £40 (R570) in the UK, and often much less, the excuse did not float with alert South African consumers.
A massive backlash that spread through the local Xbox 360 community via sites such as xboxgaming.co.za, nag.co.za and MyBroadband made it abundantly clear to any Microsoft representatives that were paying attention that if the planned price increases went ahead, consumers would simply opt to import from international e-tailers.
Between MiDigital and Microsoft, it is difficult to determine exactly who was responsible for the plan to increase prices so dramatically. It would seem that the price increases were already underway with titles such as Halo Wars priced at R800 a few weeks ago. The price now is a more reasonable R615 (pre-order at BT games).
A Kalahari.net representative yesterday posted a comment on xbox-360.co.za stating that a new price list has arrived from MiDigital, and that “Fable II and Gears of War 2 are back at R699 RRPs and most other titles seem to have returned to pre-increase levels.”
Kalahari.net is now selling Gears of War 2 for R591, Prince of Persia 4 for R670, Fallout 3 for R650.
Things at BT Games also seem to have reverted to normal, with Fable II going for R635, Skate 2 on pre-order for R630 and Halo Wars on pre-order for R615. There are no signs of the R800 title craze that swept through the country earlier this month.
Microsoft earlier this month replied to a disgruntled consumer on hellopeter.com stating “We are pleased to inform you that Microsoft has confirmed that its titles will continue to launch at R699.”
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