Microsoft ends $99 Xbox 360 ‘experiment’

The $99 Xbox 360 is no more. Microsoft has confirmed that it ended (back in July 2013) the intriguing offer which allowed gamers to get a brand new 4GB Xbox 360 (with Kinect) for just $99, providing you agreed to a two-year Xbox LIVE Gold contract at $14.99 per month. Although the promotion actually turned out to be more expensive in the long run, it provided gamers a way to easily afford the console by breaking it down into small monthly payments.

Apparently, Microsoft discontinued the promotion back in July 2013, but it was officially confirmed earlier this week by the Wall Street Journal. Speaking to the publication, Microsoft spokesman David Dennis explained, "This program was intended to be a pilot experiment from the start, and MIcrosoft routinely adjusts the mix of offers available to its customers and this change was simply standard business practice."

Additionally, the contractual Xbox 360 option was originally designed for "squeezing the last 10 to 15 percent out of the potential market."

I wouldn't be surprised to see this "experiment" someday expand to the Xbox One, but that probably won't be for a few years from now.

[WSJ]