Since Microsoft implemented a $50 price drop on its next-gen gaming console in November, it has gained some sales headway on Sony’s PlayStation 4 that many Xbox One gamers and fanatics believe that its shaved price of $349 would stay for good.
Too bad, Microsoft does not see it that way. Apparently, the company will be restoring the price of Xbox One to $399 starting in January 3, 2015, consistent with its two-month promo period that began on November 2, 2014.
Although Microsoft did announce late in October that the price drop for its Xbox One was a limited time promotional offer only.
Ars Technica revealed that when Microsoft dropped the price of its Xbox One in November, it actually won the monthly sales contest with the PS4, which have been lording it over the next-gen gaming console market for the previous nine months.
Black Friday top seller
Xbox One was even the top selling gaming console during Black Friday sales after the US Thanksgiving Day celebration on November 28, according to a report by Venture Beat.
Microsoft’s next-gen gaming console captured 53% of the Black Friday market share. PlayStation 4 was a distant second with 31% share while the older Xbox 360 got 9% of the market share for 3rd place.
The Xbox One was also the No. 2 top selling product overall during Black Friday sales, behind only to the 16GB Apple iPad mini.
Sustaining the momentum
The Xbox One sustained its sales momentum and continued its victory over the PS4 in December that is why many find it surprising that Microsoft would backtrack on its sales strategy.
USA Today reports that the Xbox One with non-Kinect bundled version will go back to its original price of $399 while the Xbox One bundled with Kinect will be restored to a $499 price. Both bundles include the “Assassin’s Creed Unity” and the “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Fag” video games, developed by Ubisoft.
With the price drop dawning on consumers who failed to grab the offer during the Christmas holidays, they still have two more days left to buy an Xbox One for $349.
Several retailers are in fact giving consumers last-minute opportunities to take advantage of Microsoft’s discount offer.
To further spice up the deal, Best Buy, Amazon, Target and GameStop are all throwing in an additional $50 gift card for the purchase of Xbox One whether its bundled with Kinect or not.
Newegg, on the other hand, will be providing a $20 gift card plus a one-year subscription to Xbox Live Gold for the last-minute buyers of the discounted Microsoft’s next-gen gaming console.
It is not clear how the Redmond-based company would position the Xbox One against the PlayStation 4 after January 3 to sustain its two-month sales conquest in November and December. But for sure, it would be hardpressed to duplicate its victory.