You know how every once in a while you'll see a business that's either so confident in its dealings (or perhaps so desperate, you could argue for either, really) that it's willing to accept competitor's coupons? Well, it seems like Microsoft is going that route, and is willing to offer a cool hundred clams to anyone who wants to turn in their PlayStation 3.
A NeoGAFfer is claiming the picture above found its way to him in an e-mail, clearly explaining the offer in black and white. Well, green and white actually, but we hear you loud and clear. Surely it looks odd, but it's actually legit. If you mosey on over to the Microsoft Store website and plug in a location, you'll be greeted with this fine bit of a deal:
"Get $100 of store credit when you trade in select gaming consoles
Trade up and get your hands on the new Xbox One
Welcome to a new generation of games and entertainment. Where games push the boundaries of realism. And television obeys your every command. Where listening to music while playing a game is a snap. And you can jump from TV to movies to music to a game in an instant. Where your experience is custom tailored to you. And the entertainment you love is all in one place. Welcome to the all-in-one, Xbox One.
For a limited time, bring in your PS3, Xbox 360 S or Xbox 360 E and receive $100 of Microsoft retail store credit. Terms and conditions apply. See store associate for more detail."
GameStop is offering the same amount for a 500GB (New K Model) PS3, but if look around long enough on Craigslist and eBay, you could probably get a bit more if you're patient enough and can find a buyer. If patience isn't a virtue you possess, this is an alternative. The offer's good until the end of February, "or while supplies last."
The deal comes as Microsoft's next-gen console is behind the PlayStation 4 in sales by more than one million. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One had sold over three million consoles by the end of 2013. Not to be outdone, Sony's own CEO Kaz Hirai revealed during a keynote at CES that Sony had pulled an upset over Microsoft, announcing that has managed to sell over 4.2 million of its own PlayStation 4 since the console launched in November. And thanks to the PS4's lower price point, many expect Sony to stay well ahead of Microsoft.
This offer to have the PlayStation 3 act like a coupon of sorts for the purchase of a Xbox One may help Microsoft's numbers a bit, but given the offer is only available in the U.S., don't expect it to make much more than a dent against the PS4 numbers.
Under the hood, the PlayStation 4 boasts Supercharged PC architecture, X86 CPU, Enhanced PC GPU, and 8GB Unified Memory according to the official specs.
It supports the same PlayStation Plus service as the Vita and PlayStation 3. However, a Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer games, but not for additional media services like Netflix. Sony has also updated the Dual Shock controllers with a touch screen and improved shoulder triggers, and bundles the console with a headset.
Available titles for the system include Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, Resogun, and more. You can check out a complete list of launch titles' prices and install sizes here. It currently retails for $399.
In the opposite corner, Microsoft's Xbox One claims an 8-core x86 processor and Microsoft hopes it will take the place of the family room cable box by letting you watch Blu-ray movies and TV through the console, in a "seamless transition" that lets players switch from playing games to watching shows and/or movies. It will come fully loaded with 8GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.
The console's exclusives include Dead Rising 3, Killer Instinct, Ryse: Son of Rome, and more. You can check out a list of the install sizes for all of the launch games here. The Xbox One retails for $499.