Project Natal launching in November 2010, priced for 'impulse buy'?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

A supposed leak from closed-door Microsoft meetings in the UK has made its way to MCV, who has all sorts of new details on Project Natal's launch next year. Rumor is that the device will be released worldwide in November 2010 (we've heard "late next year" before), with 5 million camera units ready for day one, included in solo and console-bundled SKUs. Word varies on the price, with some saying "under ?50" (about $84 USD), while others say as low as ?30, about $50 USD. Apparently Microsoft is aiming for "impulse buy" territory, and it makes sense to subsidize the unit and make that money back in games sales, like a regular console launch (which Microsoft sort of sees it as, in many ways). There are supposed to be 14 games readied for launch, but no specifics on which developers that've signed up for Natal work will be among those on launch day. It all sounds about right, though we of course won't know for sure until Microsoft goes into tell-all mode, which we expect will be a decent ways down the road if they can't even confirm a silly WiFi adapter for the holidays.

News source: Engadget

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

That is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than I would have imagined...

[SMELTN]

WOW I was thinking at least $150 US price point. I still don't think they will go lower than $99 US.

[-KJ]

Nah, this is MS. All their accessories are expensive like the WNA and HDD. :p

$100 would be my guess.

[Ayepecks]

Sounds about right. I can't see myself buying it unless there are some very compelling games, though.

[George P Global Moderator]

It all depends on the games they can get out, but $100 tops is what I think. Any higher and it'd be hard to see this. It's best to be as cheap as you can get so you can get the tech out and build on it with more 3rd party support as well.

[Brad.]

?50 and I would buy it. I'd wait until 2011, just to see if there were any major bugs and such.

[BoredBozirini]

If they sell the WNA for $100, expect Natal to cost like $750.

[Growled Member]

Nah, this is MS. All their accessories are expensive like the WNA and HDD. :p

$100 would be my guess.

Mine too. $84 sounds a bit too cheap.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

If MS sell this for less than a WiFi adapter/Hard Drive I'll lol (at the WiFi adaptor/Hard Drive that is).

They've been referring to it as a "new console experience", I think it'll be more expensive, but it'll be bundled with something like how ever Wii came with WiiSports.

[George P Global Moderator]

It'd make sense to have it come with either a new SKU and a game, or the deivice and 2 or 3 games even.

Speaking of wifi adaptors the new one is on sale for $100 I heard.

[dewaaz]

Price is good, but November 2010?

12 months is agessss away (N)

not cool

[Tech Star]

I am going for them selling it at the $100 price point. I will not be buying it on release date though, as I will be waiting for more games to come out to support it and for it to get cheaper (which it will after a couple months).

[Orange]

It be cheap first.. it break within the 1st 6months. Then Microsoft will bump the price up higher.. :p

[BGM]

something has to be at least less than a ? for me to impulse buy it..

.. maybe this is why i am pretty good with money:pp

[iconboy]

I thought impulse buy referedto those chocolate bars and gum at the cash register at most stores? Are those bit under $2? Lol

[BGM]

I thought impulse buy referedto those chocolate bars and gum at the cash register at most stores? Are those bit under $2? Lol

i agree

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Instant buy for me.

[Xerxes]

As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn't buy it because it seems far too cheap :/ I was expecting AUD$200+ for this :p ah well doesn't matter, it's still just a gimmick and there is no guarantees it won't be any more then a novelty. I could be wrong of cause but that is how I feel about it right now.

[Rudy]

They'll have to prove to me that it isn't the new Eyetoy or Wiispeak before I pick one up

[George P Global Moderator]

Just have to wait and see the games and how it's used. It's all up to how creative the devs can be with it.

[red.]

Just have to wait and see the games and how it's used. It's all up to how creative the devs can be with it.

Agreed. I don't have an overwhelming opinion of it just yet. I'll wait and see how well it's supported and the quality of titles before i make a purchase.

[Death Proof]

Meh !

[MR_Candyman]

They'll have to prove to me that it isn't the new Eyetoy or Wiispeak before I pick one up

I don't see any difference between this and the Eyetoy. This just screams fail tome.

[BetaAddict]

I know a lot of people were expecting Natal to cost a lot. But you have to consider this is just an accessory, not the system itself. By making it cheap enough, MS will get everyone who owns an xbox to buy it and this will allow the user experience on the xbox is consistent. Even if they bundled this with the xbox, they can't mark up the price too high otherwise a ps3 or wii might look too cheap for some people.