Leading up to the holidays, Microsoft "temporarily" dropped the price of the Xbox One by $50 to $349 — a moved that proved successful, after the console managed to outsell the PS4 in November. Following that success, the price drop will once again be in effect starting tomorrow, January 16th.
Microsoft calls it a "new promotion" and a "special price," so it's unclear if the cut will be permanent. It's also unclear whether the promotion is available worldwide or only to those in the US.
In addition to revealing the new price point, Microsoft announced that its best-selling streak had continued into December, as the Xbox One once again topped the PS4 in terms of sales. These back-to-back wins follow a lengthy period of dominance by Sony, with the PS4 routinely outselling the Xbox One — while the PS4 hit 10 million units sold in August, the Xbox One didn't reach the same milestone until three months later. Sony spun the December sales data by confirming that the PS4 was the best-selling console worldwide in 2014, while Nintendo said that the Wii U had its best month ever without giving specific figures.
Microsoft will be hoping the price cut — which is substantially cheaper than the original $499 launch price for the console — will keep its momentum going, alongside big new releases like Halo 5: Guardians.
Outside of Xbox, it also looks like Microsoft will be renewing its focus on PC gaming at its Windows 10 event on January 21st. "Our goal is to help PC gaming flourish," the company says, "and we're excited to be helping shape the future of Windows." Phil Spencer will be on hand at the event to discuss this seemingly newfound enthusiasm for PC gaming.
Microsoft will be hoping the price cut — which is substantially cheaper than the original $499 launch price for the console — will keep its momentum going, alongside big new releases like Halo 5: Guardians.
Outside of Xbox, it also looks like Microsoft will be renewing its focus on PC gaming at its Windows 10 event on January 21st. "Our goal is to help PC gaming flourish," the company says, "and we're excited to be helping shape the future of Windows." Phil Spencer will be on hand at the event to discuss this seemingly newfound enthusiasm for PC gaming.
