While videogame analyst and chocolate avenger Michael Pachter was spreading his opinion-muck on the differences between Natal and the Sony Wiimote, he also predicted a price point for the new technology. Pachter reckons that Natal will be rather cheap, costing a mere $50.
"As for pricing, each has to keep the consumer's cost relatively low in order to achieve broad penetration," he explains. "I think that Natal will cost $50, as it only really involves a camera (a three-lensed camera, but a camera nonetheless). The EyeWand, on the other hand, involves a camera and two controllers, so it may be slightly more expensive. I would be surprised if the EyeWand retails for more than $100. Neither impacts the other, as neither is intended to compete with the other.
"I think Natal will do better for two reasons: first, it is likely to be lower cost because less hardware is involved; second, it is likely to be bundled with all new Xbox 360s, ensuring a broader penetration. Keep in mind that Microsoft has another price cut in its pocket, and that the company is not afraid to subsidize something if it deems it important. I could see a $50 price cut next year, accompanied by an upgrade to the HDD to 250Gb and the inclusion of Natal. Yes, I said a $249.99 Xbox 360 with a 250Gb hard drive and Natal included."
It would make sense for Natal to come cheap so that new customers could be encouraged, but will Microsoft listen to common sense more than common greed?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:00 PM on 10.15.2009
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The stupid little wi-fi dongle for the 360 is still priced at $100; there's no way Natal is going to cost any less than that.
But I'll just say that it can't be done and be done with it.
No.
There's no way Microsoft will charge that little for this.
It's nice to know I'm not the only person who noticed that.
TeeHee, "broader penetration".
Yeah, it won't be $50. I'm betting on the solid $99.99 USD.
Anyone can say this shit, ESPECIALLY when it comes to gaming. He said a wii price drop was coming for like three years. WTF? Of course it would happen...hes an idiot. Stop posting articles about him.
Patcher apparently isn't even looking at the tech
Why does destructiod have articles about him...?
I'm sorry but I see this thing costing $100 to $150 when this come out, while a PS Eye and motion controller bundle might cost $60/$80 (the PS Eye alone is $30/$40).
me gusta! also, 'broader penetration'
not only that, pachter thinks those playstation wands will be $100.
The difference between Natal and wi-fi is wi-fi isn't a system seller for the casual. Pachter is right on with the point that Microsoft is going to push for broad/quick penetration (teehee), and I believe they be would be willing to sell it at such a low cost to promote what could be a game changer for the industry.
Pachter says some pretty funny things. Everything I think will be horrible he thinks will be nice, and everything I think will be nice he thinks will be horrible.
It's microsoft they'll sell it for 150 dollars.
yeah at NAB aka National Broadcasting Convention in Los Vegas I went to last year, they had shop on display showing off special Lenses for video cameras, they had just made an Affordable version I asked that lady how much it was and she said "our Affordable lenses is $21,000"
I also thought the pig deal about natal was that it had a processor built into it so it would not bogle down the 360 frame rate.
Personally, I wouldn't mind checking it out, but I'll wait for a game that uses it and blows everyone away.
As for the wand: HAHHAHHAHHAHA! It's SONY. You don't need to say any more right there to prove that the price will be $100 higher than even pessimists expect.
@monte Body recognition (and voice recognition) will be done by software not by the lens in the camera. Unless it actually has a processor inside it to interpret the signals it is pretty simple hardware, it's just a new combination of relatively cheap to manufacture components and some pretty clever software. In a way I hope it does have its own processor and costs a little more as the games wont have to take the performance hit.