At the Tokyo Game Show that week, one of the primary goals of entertainment companies is to show off the latest alternate realities for game players to lose themselves in. Such escapism is understandable, given the sickly state of the real world’s financial institutions. But lurking in the shadows like a Ninja is the question of whether gamers will be able to afford new hardware and software during the upcoming holiday season.

Microsoft, the manufacturer of the Xbox

and Xbox 360, may be particularly well-positioned to weather the economic storm. At the beginning of September, the company slashed prices on its consoles. The low-end Xbox 360 Arcade now costs just $199, the Xbox 360 costs $299, and the Xbox 360 Elite rings in at $399.

“We are thrilled to be the first next-generation console on the market to reach $199, a price that invites everyone to enjoy Xbox 360,” said […]

Orginal post by dhiram