It appears as though the Xbox One is to be bundled with a free game, which will surely make the system seem much better value at its £429 price point. Exactly which game is still up the air, but FIFA 14 looks likely.
MCV’s sources are reporting that the game is FIFA 14, while CVG’s describe it as a “major third-party title” and a “major Christmas release”. It’s not an exclusive, but it should be interesting – will people choose the Xbox One because it has this game bundled, even though the PS4 with the game would still be cheaper?
The deal is said to only be coming to Europe, to boost sales with the rather pricey RRP. Bear in mind, it’ll still be about £30 or £40 more expensive than the PS4, even with the game, but they definitely seem much better matched now.
Both Microsoft and EA have declined to comment, so we should find out tomorrow morning as the news trickles out from Gamescom.
uncharted86
MSFT are desperate.
HunterGatherer
Market analyst: you are in trouble you lost gamer mindshare.
MSFT: gamers are cretins they will buy the Xbox one of we bundle FIFA with it.
Bilbo_bobbins
and knowing the usual mindset of the Xbox gamer, this is probably right.
HunterGatherer
Poor old Americans missing out on Xbox deals because it’s a safe territory…
xdarkmagician
I think its more because we don’t care about FIFA. :)
If theres a NA bundle it’ll probably include a game that lets you shoot someone
damoxuk
Hmm Fifa 14 really? If so MS must have stumped up big style.
Still it’ll sell most on PS3 as per usual in EU. Especially when most of europe can’t get an Xbone.
But still if this is true i’ll hand it to them that’s some coup – but lets be honest most people would have already bought Fifa on 360/ps3 buy the time Xbone is out. So i guess the real winners are EA :D
Gaztee
I disagree, I think people wanting to upgrade at launch will hold off buying games like FIFA until their new console is out. My brother is one of these having pre ordered FIFA for his PS4. It’s equivalent to them bundling Madden in the USA, a big bold move.
RobM
Maybe they’ll offer something different in the states Hunter?
In any case, offering a copy of Fifa 14 only helps if people are interested in Fifa… Are they pigeon-holing themselves or are they intentionally just going after the kind of market who would regard that as a good deal?
seravok
FIFA 14… Am I the only one that don’t feel anything for sports games? I haven’t been able to get my head around why they are som popular. :S Guess we are all different.
Alex C
FIFA is huge here in Europe, isn’t it the biggest selling game in the UK? Rumours abound of FIFA banners at Gamescom with a bit covered in black tape – presumably this is going to say “FREE WITH XBOX ONE” from tomorrow.
Massive.
seravok
Yeah it seems to be the one game that I always see on the toplist of best sellers.
Dare I Say that our FIFA madness is the equivalent of Monster Hunter and Madden? I wonder if there is anyone in Japan who dont understand the hype about monster hunter and the same about someone in the US about Madden.
sully1311
Seravok: Except FIFA is bigger than MH and Madden
RobM
Yes it’s a top game. I like playing it when I have friends round for a lad’s night of pizza, beer, films and games myself.
But if you’re not actually interested in FIFA… and even in Europe there’s plenty of people out there who aren’t… then this is a poor choice for a freebie. If they’re going to do this they should offer a choice, and not just this or call of dudebro either.
HunterGatherer
You wouldn’t buy a Lada car if out came with a flash stereo would you… this is no different
.
DJ Judas
This is quite telling of the audience MS wish to bait.
Starman
Yes, the largest possible audience.
DJ Judas
It’s not just that, it’s the knock on effect. The softcore is who they are after, those that are likely to buy only one console, the one the majority of their friends have, and buy the yearly huge releases: FIFA, CoD, AC etc.
For me, it’s beneficial that there appears to be a more obvious difference between Playstation and Xbox audience targets this generation, and hopefully a continuation of healthy competition.
Starman
My point is fifas a game that many gamers buy, so bundling it will make the X1 more attractive to more people. Don’t think it means they’re targeting casual gamers who only buy 2 games a year.
DJ Judas
While that’s true, their confused stance and skews towards TV and the like suggests that their choosing of FIFA 14 to be bundled goes beyond just sales numbers.
This guy presents the theory quite well from 1:40 onwards: http://uk.gamespot.com/shows/the-point/?event=why-the-xbox-is-losing-20130814
Starman
Fifa’s one of the highest selling games every year so it’ll be a decent offer if its true. I’m getting nearer to preordering one.
HunterGatherer
The price is still bigger than a ps4 and a copy of fifa, how is this a deal?
This is a disguised Microsoft price cut with a positive PR spin, to save even more loss of face.
It’s also a poor deal for anyone that thinks sports games suck.
Starman
Not going to argue with you again.
Porcupine_I
A bundle with no additional cost? Now that is a novelty!
HunterGatherer
It’s likely costing Microsoft near to rrp to do this, in other words it’s a price cut…
DividSmythe
I guess this would upset a lot of non football fans. I’d have been offended if I was purchasing Xbox one and they offered me CoD. Even though that’s one of the highest grossing games out there it’s awful.
Amphlett
CoD, even though a large number of parents choose to ignore it, is listed as an 18 only game so might limit the market to the SKU.
gazzagb
FIFA is a system seller, this could really turn things around for MS. Makes perfect sense for them to do it, this could be a huge start for the console.