KontrolFreek Blog

Recently Microsoft announced a 4GB Xbox 360 console with Kinect bundle for $99—a shockingly low price that’s sure to turn some heads. But, is it a good deal?

On the surface, a $99 price tag seems too good to be true. I mean really… a console with Kinect for $99? That’s less expensive than a PS3, Wii or even any handheld device out there.  Count me in!

But, as you know—if something sounds too good to be true it usually is—and that’s the case here if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.

If you’re a smart consumer who pays attention to things, you’ve probably already noticed the asterisk (*) next to the $99 price. This indicates something. In this case it indicates a required 2 year contract to Xbox Live Gold at $15/month. Ouch.

So let’s do the math:

A new 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle costs about $300. Add 2 years ($50/year) of XBL Gold and you’re up to $400.

With this new bundle you start with a $100 for the console and then add $15 each month for 2 years (24 months). That gives you a grand total of $460.

Honestly, it’s not a bad deal as long as you realize what the total cost ends up being after your contract is up. Knowing that, what do you think? Do you find that a $99 + $15/month subscription model is easier to swallow than $300 + $50 + $50?

Let me know what you think via Twitter.

It may be old news by now, but there will be no next generation Xbox or PlayStation unveiled at this year’s E3. I have hesitated to talk about this because by tomorrow we’ll likely hear more news that contradicts what we know today—but for now, that’s the story coming from Microsoft and Sony representatives.

Rumors up until a couple days ago have been pretty clear that both new consoles would make some sort of appearance at E3—not as clear, perhaps, as what was said by Microsoft France’s marketing director, Cedrick Delmax to Le Point.fr.

"We're in an industry that talks a lot, that likes to tell stories. I am not convinced things will happen this year.”

"Xbox 360′s cycle is not at all finished. The proof is that we don't see the logic in cutting the price this year. E3 is still premature. What's certain is that there'll be nothing new in 2012."

That last part is pretty clear.

In an interview on the same site, Playstation France’s CEO, Philippe Cardone also made it clear that Sony wouldn't be rushing its next generation console release.

"Wii is pressed for time because it's in decline. In our case, we have a lot less pressure. We were the last to release PS3, and we will probably be the last to announce something."

According to recent rumors and Inside Mobile Apps, Microsoft has plans to discontinue their virtual currency system, Microsoft Points, by the end of this year.

This is good news, as MS Points have been a source of disgust for many gamers since they were introduced alongside the XBL Marketplace in 2005. Besides the deceptive Points to real-world currency ratio and the perpetual need to buy more Points than necessary for a purchase (damn you leftover points!), the system is dated and out of line with current standards.

Microsoft isn’t talking, of course, but reports suggest a cash-based system in line with PSN, Apple and Android marketplaces will replace the existing system. This change will not only affect Xbox Live, but the Zune Marketplace and Windows Phone Marketplace as well.

Let’s cross our fingers that this rumor turns out to be true.

In case you didn’t know, KontrolFreek products can now be found in Microsoft Stores nationwide. Microsoft Stores have 14 locations right now and more on the way next year—so this is definitely something for KontrolFreek fans to get excited about.

For a list of current Microsoft Store locations click here.

For the past two big game launches—Gears of War 3 and Battlefield 3—MS Stores have had some really great midnight launch events. The events featured food, drinks, SWAG bags, tournaments with sweet prizes and overall good times. Next Monday night will be no exception with the launch of Modern Warfare 3.

The Call of Duty: MW3 Launch Event will take place from Monday, November 7^th at 10pm – November 8^th at 1am local time. Starting at 10pm you’ll be able to play MW3 before you buy, compete in tournaments and win a limited edition Xbox 360 Call of Duty: MW3 console (among other awesome prizes).

There will also be KontrolFreek girls in every store giving product demos and posing for pictures with fans. And here’s where things get even more interesting: have your picture taken with the KontrolFreek girls, tag us and post it to our Facebook wall, and we’ll send you a free KontrolFreek t-shirt in the mail. Booyah!

Hope to see you Freeks there next Monday!

We made our list and checked it twice, most of you were naughty and five of you were nice.

Remember the other day on Facebook when we asked you what was on your holiday wish list for 2010?  You probably thought we were just making conversation.  We weren't.  We were picking your brains; but in a good, non-zombie kind of way.  And though it was a bit concerning to learn about how badly you all want $200 hookers, we still want to make your holiday dreams come true (Editor's note: Remember to re-write that last part about dreams before you post this!).  So, as our last good deed of the year, we are going to buy you guys a bunch of Microsoft Kinects; because we love you and you seem to really want them... and also Kinect is super-awesome fun-times.  In addition, we will throw in a KontrolFreek GamerPack for every winner--because you'll want to go back to your controller once you get tired of dancing.

Here is all you need to do to be entered to win one of the five Kinect prize packages up for grabs:

1. Sign up for our newsletter at http://www.kontrolfreek.com/newsletter-signup.asp

2. (Optional) To get additional chances to win a Kinect prize package you can tell us what you love about KontrolFreek products (or why you deserve to win some) on either Facebook or Twitter (Just don't forget to tag us with @KontrolFreek so that we see it!).  You can do this once per day for a total of nine extra entries!

3. We will randomly select 5 winners on Friday, December 17th at 5:00pm ET.

Is anyone sick of these live-action trailers for Halo yet?  No?  Me neither.  Each one that comes out is incredible; and a reminder of how awesome that full-length Halo movie would have been (my fingers are still crossed for that one).  Well, the latest of these live-action commercials for Halo: Reach, “Deliver Hope,” is just as beautiful as any of them we’ve seen previously.  You may recognize part of it from an earlier release but this is the extended version.  Enjoy!