Technology news site, The Verge, are reporting that Microsoft will launch a suprise 4GB Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle next week for the low price of $99. The catch? That it comes with a mandatory two-year subscription to Xbox Live, which will cost you $15 per month.
Let’s do the math to see just how much value this bundle really offers the consumer. Here’s what it would look like if you bought all of these components and services by yourself separately:
$200 (4GB Xbox 360) + $100 (Kinect) + $120 (Subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for 2 years) = $420
Here’s what it looks like if you buy and Xbox 360 and Kinect, but then buy Xbox Live Gold membership cards off Amazon instead of a monthly subscription:
$200 (4GB Xbox 360) + $100 (Kinect) + $100 (Two Xbox Live Gold cards) = $400
And finally, here’s what this new “$99” bundle works out to:
$100 (4GB Xbox 360 and Kinect) + $360 (For $15 per-month Xbox Live Gold) = $460
That said, the Verge say that the 2-year Gold subscription with the bundle will come with some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers, although this content hasn’t been detailed yet. You will also be allowed to terminate the $15 per-month Gold subscription, but for an unnamed fee. More details will presumably be available next week.
Thanks to Siliconera reader, MiauMiaut, for the heads up!