With all this talk about Microsoft's Project Natal essentially being equivalent to an Xbox 360 successor, that raises an important question: Will it be priced like an Xbox 360 successor? According to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, probably not. Moreover, on the latest episode of GameTrailer's "Pach Attack," Pachter predicts it'll likely be launched at a scant $50.
"My guess is for Natal, which is really important for them, they're going to price it at or below their cost," Pachter said. "Talking to my hardware specialist colleagues at Wedbush, it's about $50 in cost. Now I may be wrong, and I know we're going to get flamed by 13-year-olds with PhD's in Engineering who know a lot more about hardware than we do, who'd say maybe it's going to be seventy bucks, but I'd be very surprised if it was more than $79. I really think it's going to be $50."
Pachter goes on to say that the important thing for Microsoft -- as it always is with hardware -- is to sell as many Natals as possible, and then make money selling things for Natal (and eventually more Xbox 360s).
But you heard the man, folks -- are there any 13-year-olds with PhDs in Engineering out there who think his prediction is off base? We certainly hope not, as it'd be really nice to purchase Natal for less than the cost of most new games.
Originally posted by 1UP.
