Microsoft, Sony are cutting it historically close with launch detail announcements.
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When should we expect launch prices and dates for 2020’s new consoles?
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I'm not the gamer I once was time wise, so that plays a part...
But man it's going to be hard to get me to consider buying something new, due to the convenience of the Switch.... it's just so handy to play anywhere, way more than I thought it would be.
But man it's going to be hard to get me to consider buying something new, due to the convenience of the Switch.... it's just so handy to play anywhere, way more than I thought it would be.
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I agree, especially for the factor of homebrew / Nintendo Online / SNES Online on the Switch taking care of nostalgia. I'll wait for all the prices of newer gen games and systems to drop a lot before taking a bite.
Edit - Clarifying how to obtain nostalgia games.
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I checked out of the hype cycle for these consoles already. Enough with the brinkmanship; just announce the release dates and prices and let's get it over with.
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I refused to get a switch until this past April and I'm kicking myself for it. It's 100x better than I thought it would be. My opinion might be different if I was younger (in my 30s) but its just so convenient to just play on the couch while my wife watches TV. I PC game a little but that's more of a chore now and really only do it to talk to people on discord which isn't always in the cards... so now the switch is my main gaming platform. I've even bought a ton of indies that I already own on PC for the switch (enter/exit the gungon, dead cell, rogue legacy) and I think they are just better on the switch because of the portability. Would def upgrade to a more powerful one given the chance.
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They are both waiting for the other to announce first.
It's a game of "chicken" with millions at stake.
It's a game of "chicken" with millions at stake.
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We all know it's going to be $499. Just throw up the preorders already so I can secure an Xbox for myself and PS5 for my brother for Christmas.
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I know the bar goes to 0 just for argument's sake but it'd be damn impressive if they both announced they're being released that day and for $XXX. Although I guess it wouldn't be unprecedented after the Saturn's launch.
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The Switch is great! Lots of fun games on there.
To list some of my favs
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Luigis Mansion 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 1 and 2
Paper Mario
Zelda - Breath of the Wild
Links Awakening
Stardew Valley
Plus if you are into homebrew/custom firmwares a 2nd Switch is perfect for RetroArch.
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The first one to announce is going to be $499, the second one is going to be $449.
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If COVID didn't happen I would have 100% agreed and fully expected these powerful next-gen to be $600 at launch but not anymore. A $600 console won't sell well and both have game subscriptions they want to sell.
Well see
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Given Microsoft's history of stuff like All Access (console plus game pass for $20 per month) the price on their side isn't going to matter quite as much, especially if they are actually marketing that package across retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. If they are offering that early on, I'll probably pick up an Xbox this year and hold off on a PS5 until the middle of next year. Of if somebody manages to get windows running on either system, I'll be on either like white on rice.
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If you speak again...
Azaria trumps DeCaprio as far as punishments for speaking...
[edit] hmmm, Ars doesn't seem to like my start tag on that video... 1:19 is where it was supposed to start
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I don't understand this game of chicken with the pricing. There's nothing stopping either company from revising their initial pricing if the other decides to undercut them.
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Statistical
Ars Legatus Legionis
Then announce first at $449. Done. Let's get this show on the road. That being said I don't think anyone is going with $449 at launch not first or second.
Hell at this point I wouldn't be surprised if on launch day they are sitting on a shelf with a pricetag of $???.??. You just buy one price unknown and they charge your credit card a randomly generated three digit amount.
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I can relate completely. I got the Xbox for the kids. But I built them their PCs because....games/school......But we held out on the switch. This past Christmas got it. HOLY MOLY!! Mario Kart 8 is stupid fun. Like WOW have not had that much fun ever in a game! Nintendo never ceases to amaze me with their innovation.
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I was in school for much of the PS4 lifespan and I told myself that a launch day PS5 would be my gift to myself. With the pandemic hitting and job security and finances being a little in the air, I've decided to put the purchase on the backburner for now.
I think there's going to be a lot of price-sensitive people out there right now, so I wouldn't be surprised that each is waiting and hoping to undercut the other by $50-100.
I think there's going to be a lot of price-sensitive people out there right now, so I wouldn't be surprised that each is waiting and hoping to undercut the other by $50-100.
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Personally, I'd disregard the Nintendo systems as Nintendo tends to do their own thing. I'd also ignore the ps4.5 and xb3.5 because they were not full generation steps.
So, in sony-land:
ps2-ps4 = 172 day average
In ms-land:
xb-xb3 = 180 day average
This is an average of 176 days beforehand.
The latest date of new console release was 22 Nov, which was America's Thanksgiving week in 2005 and the week before the American Thanksgiving week in 2013.
If we take an endpoint of 23 Nov 2020 (basically the last viable date), we can extrapolate back 176 days and mathematically arrive at an average expected scientific announcement date of 31 May 2020.
That is, if these systems are really expected this year for the 2020Hanukkah holiday shopping season.
As for me, if they really are coming out this year, then I'm expecting a pricing announcement in Feb 2021 at the earliest.
So, in sony-land:
ps2-ps4 = 172 day average
In ms-land:
xb-xb3 = 180 day average
This is an average of 176 days beforehand.
The latest date of new console release was 22 Nov, which was America's Thanksgiving week in 2005 and the week before the American Thanksgiving week in 2013.
If we take an endpoint of 23 Nov 2020 (basically the last viable date), we can extrapolate back 176 days and mathematically arrive at an average expected scientific announcement date of 31 May 2020.
That is, if these systems are really expected this year for the 2020
As for me, if they really are coming out this year, then I'm expecting a pricing announcement in Feb 2021 at the earliest.
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It's PR. If one announces at $600 and the other comes out at $500, the tech and gaming press (probably even the likes of Fox and CNN will run stories on it) will immediately publish stories about one system undercutting the other and being a better value and whatnot. What happens the day after that doesn't create nearly the same buzz the initial announcement does.
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faustshausuk
Ars Scholae Palatinae
They both have ways to soften the blow of whatever price they choose to announce. It might cause their accounting department a little extra work, but they could offer the system with the user's choice of X last generation, backwards compatible titles and Y months of free digital services (Now and Plus on PS5, Game Pass and Gold on XBSX).
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My theory is simple. Microsoft got burned by announcing first last time, so they refuse to go first this time. Sony did well by going second last time, so they want to go second this time. So we wait.
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Microsoft could do subs service like they did with Xbox one SAD.
Gamepass bundled with Xbox series X for some amounts of dollars per month with a year contract or something
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The first one to announce is going to be $599, the second one is going to be $549. The third one will be a surprise diskless version of the first one at $499.
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I can see that, but can also see positive PR from lowering the price..."after feedback and further consideration." Ultimately I don't think it'll have much of an impact on launch, it's usually more enthusiasts buying consoles day one.
Xbox One had a rough time because they were $100 more for the first 1-2 years? I forget when Kinect was unbundled.
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Hey, man, don't forget the different SKU levels and the subscription options! $750 for the Xbox One Series X 'Pro' console. You want to be a 'Pro', don't you? And why bother reading blogs about games and upgrades and options? Why not subscribe to Xbox All Access, too, with Xbox Game Pass? Can I interest you in a $100 game with a season pass? What about an additional 'Pro' controller for a friend? Can't compete on a level playing field, otherwise, can we?
Hey, and a few friends and I are going in on this TikTok thing, want to chip in a little, too?
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I’m in for a base series x. I don’t need a game bundle, and my Game Pass is good through 2022. I’ve got an Elite controller. Just let me pre-order already.
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Well, we know the RTX 3090 "console" is about $1400... good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor on Tuesday
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They are waiting to see if the competitor pushes for a $549 or even a $599. No need to leave money on the table if their competitor pushes for a higher price.
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That report/rumor of 5-6m got updated in July, with Sony going up to 10m units by year end.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... mand-surge
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The Xbox All Access thing could really help Microsoft with this game of chicken. Announce a launch date and the all-access monthly price, then see what Sony comes out with before they announce the standalone price.
I wouldn't be surprised if MS announces they'll include a 6 month game pass subscription after Sony shows their hand as a '$60 value.'
I wouldn't be surprised if MS announces they'll include a 6 month game pass subscription after Sony shows their hand as a '$60 value.'
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Yeah this is my guess as well. If one of them launches at $450 the other pretty much has to follow suite and lose money for the first few years. If one starts at $550 they can undercut without losing nearly as much. There really isn't any reason they HAVE to announce the prices way in advance. This game of chicken can go really close to the actual release date...
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Sega of America at CES Chicago 1992 had to schmooze people at publisher parties to find out Nintendo's big news was to drop the SNES's price below the Genesis.
Overnight in a hotel business office they changed their marketing material to a new $99.95 for the Sega Genesis Core (no game) to match the SNES . Nintendo over 8 months had dropped their price multiple times from the $199 to $129.95/$99.95 (game, no game) launch price to compete with Sega, who had lowered their price before the SNES release.
As mentioned in the article, Sony used Sega strategy to undermine Sega. Sega of Japan hit the panic button and things did not go so well.
Overnight in a hotel business office they changed their marketing material to a new $99.95 for the Sega Genesis Core (no game) to match the SNES . Nintendo over 8 months had dropped their price multiple times from the $199 to $129.95/$99.95 (game, no game) launch price to compete with Sega, who had lowered their price before the SNES release.
As mentioned in the article, Sony used Sega strategy to undermine Sega. Sega of Japan hit the panic button and things did not go so well.
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The only thing I can think of to prevent the undercutting is that neither company wants a price war where they both "race to the bottom." They both lose then.
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