Microsoft Dismisses Talk of Cheaper Xbox One

Late last month, there was talk that Microsoft might release alternate versions of the Xbox One later this year, including one without the Blu-ray drive. We posited that this could be a tactical move to reduce the price of the Xbox One in order to better compete with Sony's cheaper PS4. At the time, Microsoft told us it doesn't comment on rumor or speculation. A fairly run of the mill response for Redmond. However, in the week since, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has commented on the possibility of a cheaper Xbox One.

Responding to one Twitter user (@theanchormanv) who asked if there was any truth to talk of a $399 Xbox One, Greenberg responded, "No, you cannot believe everything you read on the Internet." Interestingly, TheAnchormanV never mentioned anything about a Blu-ray drive, so it's entirely possible Microsoft still plans to ditch the Blu-ray drive but keep the price closer to the current $499 price tag. Of course, it's also possible that Microsoft plans to change absolutely nothing at all. After all, the Xbox One is less than a year old. It is a little earlier for a 'slim' version. It was two years after the launch of the original Xbox 360 that the Xbox 360 Elite and Xbox 360 Arcade were announced. The new redesigned Xbox 360 S didn't come until 2010.

Other Xbox One rumors for this year include a larger capacity 1 TB model as well as a white version that is similar to the employee-only model Microsoft issued to members of the Xbox division.

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  • FloKid
    The games... they are not on blu-ray discs?
    Reply
  • vaughn2k
    I still have an Xbox 360, and running pretty damn well. Maybe my next console would be kinda Steambox configuration so I can run high end games with considerable and cheaper components, and whats good it is a PC platform, Leap Motion's similar motion sensor like Kinect, is just around the corner... ;)
    Reply
  • Stimpack
    If they were to announce it now, they would have a ton of people who decide to hold off instead of buying one this year. You could buy a PS4, though, and save that money right now.
    Reply
  • AndrewMD
    If you want a ps4 go buy it... if someone wants an xbox one, leave them alone. If it bothers you so much go buy them a ps4 with your own money or STFU.
    Reply
  • Stimpack
    If you want a ps4 go buy it... if someone wants an xbox one, leave them alone. If it bothers you so much go buy them a ps4 with your own money or STFU.
    People can purchase whatever they want. It was meant to be light-hearted. You should probably think about relaxing a little, though.
    Reply
  • cozmium
    "Gamers dismiss talk of buying Xbox One"

    There's your followup article.
    Reply
  • Innocent_Bystander-1312890
    Well they won't bloody well confirm a price drop that will come later in the year now will they? There is a shocker.I still say remove the Kinect camera and build the microphone into the box,to retain voice control. Don't lose the blu ray drive or half the appeal as a home entertainment device will be gone.
    Reply
  • stevejnb
    Making a cheaper model missing built in hardware is a mistake in my eyes. When a developer, a year down the road, decides to make a game that requires a large storage medium and half the XBOX's out there don't have it, that's not a good thing.

    Granted they did do it with the hard drives last gen, but at least there was a cheap universal device you could get to act in place of it. Not so for a massive, massive game.
    Reply
  • antilycus
    Welcome to the end of consoles or at least a 75% cut in userbase. This overpriced upgrade gives you a mediocre powered PC without a keyboard and mouse (for both PS4 and XBONE), without any option to upgrade the GPU. Streaming is the future and even an OUYA has OnLive / streaming capabilities running games better looking than 360 and PS3.
    Reply
  • hakesterman
    All Consoles get bigger Hard Drives every year they Exist, been that way sinceat least 2005. Just think if we all were still stuck with 64 Megs of memory.
    Reply