Microsoft goes lower on Xbox to $179
E3: News comes after Sony cut, inclusion of online adaptor with PS2.
By Laura Dunphy -- Video Business, 5/15/2003
MAY 15 | Microsoft Corp. has taken $20 off the price of the Xbox videogame console in response to a similar reduction on PlayStation 2 by rival Sony Computer Entertainment of America. The Xbox now retails for $179.
Microsoft's decision to drop the price is the company's latest effort to close the gap between its No. 2 sales position and the strong lead of the top-selling PlayStation2 unit.
Sony announced Tuesday that it would discount current units of PlayStation 2 by the same amount at select outlets to clear stock. Starting next month, it will begin to package an online Network Adaptor with every PS2 for $199.99. The adaptor had been only available separately for $40.
The cuts come as no surprise to industry watchers. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo last year, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo of America all slashed their console prices and saw sales rise in the following months.
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