Microsoft girds loins for console price war

MICROSOFT WILL go gunning for Sony to ensure that it can sell a XBox 360 together with a HD-DVD for less than the cost of a PS3.

Sony plans to go the Blu-ray route with its upcoming console but, according to a report, Microsoft has told retailers that it will trounce the PS3 on price even with the add-on drive included in the price.

GamesIndustry.biz says it learned of the Volish price-fight plan from squealing retailers.

The software monopolist has plenty of cash in the bank and has already thrown a few hundred million in the direction of its XBox in order to get it established as a serious alternative to Sony's Playstation.

The fact that it is girding its loins for a price war with Sony comes as no surprise.

The PlayStation 3 is expected to cost between £399 and £419 when it arrives in late November. Microsoft's HD-DVD is therefore likely to cost around £130.

Sony has been said to willing to gamble everything to ensure that its favoured Blu-Ray format ends up being the digital equivalent of VHS tape. µ

L'Inq
Gamesindustry.biz