New Xbox mega-bundle; Controller S becomes standard
» Microsoft marks an aggressive start to the holiday season, as Jet Set Radio Future and Sega GT 2002 become free pack-ins with every Xbox.
News | Friday, October 11, 2002 | Ed McGlothlin [Managing Editor]
Microsoft is set to markedly shift their Xbox strategy with a new system bundle going on sale next week. Starting Tuesday, every Xbox will include Sega titles Jet Set Radio Future and Sega GT 2002, and the controller S will permanently become the included controller. The $200 retail price for the system will not change.
The original controller will still be sold separately at retail, but according to David Hufford, Xbox Marketing Manager, the switch was an easy call.
"Now that the controller S has been in the marketplace for a few months, we've been talking to gamers, and they have a clear preference," said Hufford. The controller S has outsold the original by a wide margin since debuting this past April.
One million of the bundles will be produced before year's end, and they will be the only way to purchase an Xbox during that time - and possibly beyond. An earlier rebate offer on the system's DVD remote is also in effect until November 2nd.
"The bundle is guaranteed to run through the holiday season or until supplies last. Past that, we'll certainly adjust our plans based on how hot a seller it is," said Hufford. "This holiday will be a nice dogfight between the three hardware companies. We've all done a good job getting hardcore gamers to purchase systems, but this is really designed to go after a broader audience."
The deal marks an even closer relationship between Sega and Microsoft, who first inquired about including Sega GT 2002 in a holiday bundle. Sega then suggested JSRF be included as well.
"We wanted a really fresh racing game, not something that had been on store shelves for awhile. Sega then brought up JSRF in discussions, and we knew the game had gotten critical acclaim," said Hufford.
With JSRF and Sega GT moving slowly at retail, Sega was willing to forego future sales to get the games out to a wider variety of people. The bundle is currently scheduled for North America only.
For those who purchased an Xbox recently and want to take advantage of the bundle, there is no specific exchange program, but Microsoft suggests they contact the store where the purchase was made. Retail sources said they would handle the situation similarly to the price drop earlier this year, when customers still within the return period were able to swap out their systems for the new deal.