The Xbox One's future library and controversial stance on DRM and used games may have grabbed the attention of most lately, especially with all those shiny new games we saw at E3 this morning, but the console's November debut is still a ways off. Until then, Microsoft still has to keep attention focused on the Xbox 360 if they hope to stay on the gamers' good side, lest they abandon all this "required connection every 24 hours" and "one used game per friend who's been on your friends list for at least 30 days" nonsense.
It's for this reason that Microsoft introduced a new Xbox 360 model at E3, Monday morning, to show their continued commitment to the console. Exact specs haven't been revealed as of yet, but it's a slimmer, sleeker version than the current "slim" model, and will be available in three different variants:
- a 4GB model for $199.99 (estimated retail price)
- a 250GB model for $299.99 (estimated retail price)
- a 4GB Kinect Bundle for $299.99 (estimated retail price)
"Xbox 360 offers unrivaled value - with more great games, an Xbox Live community with 48 million members, and a compelling lineup of apps, sports, movies, TV shows and music," said Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing and strategy officer, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. "We've taken all we have learned these past eight years and engineered a new Xbox 360 console that is elegant and accessible to anyone. There's never been a better time to experience everything Xbox 360 has to offer."
To further entice the remaining gamers who're yet to buy a Xbox 360, Microsoft announced that every qualifying Xbox Live Gold member will receive two free Xbox 360 game downloads per month starting in July and ending at the end of December. And to celebrate E3, Xbox Live Gold members will receive a free download of Fable III. Also being offered is a Shadow Jago character for the recently announced Killer Instinct: Round One on Xbox One, for players who get a Day One 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership.
The new version 360 will begin rolling out to various retailers in North America, the UK, Ireland, and Australia in the coming months.
