We’re SKUed! The New Xbox 2010, PSP Go!, and DSi
by dkpatriarch
© 2009 David Hilton
Yes, we’ve been SKUed…again! But it’s our own fault.
Once upon a time you bought your games console with great anticipation, brought it home and excitedly unwrapped your investment in future entertainment. And that was that for many wonderful gaming years.
Unlike with PCs, the console would be the same console that was for sale in the stores several years after you bought it and you could gloat to your mates that you got it earlier than them. Sure, there might be some Limited Edition or different colours or some internal components changed or even a slimmer version released, but it was essentially the same console you bought way back when. No need to upgrade anything.
Not anymore. This generation consoles have changed forever, and nothing illustrates this more than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s announcement that another new Xbox 360 will hit the shelves in 2010.
This announcement has since been denied by Microsoft’s Director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Aaron Greenberg, who says Steve Ballmer meant the Natal. Either Steve needs to get to know his products better, or there really is an all-in-one unit coming. To me it’s obvious there will be.
Greenberg said: “we have looked at that, but we haven’t announced any details for something like that.” Read: we want to talk about Natal, not our integrated system yet.
The next Xbox SKU will incorporate a “natural interface,” and will have a built in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice, according to what Ballmer said.
What should be slightly unsettling is that few gamers would be that surprised by this development. After all the Natal, the amazing Microsoft voice and movement sensor camera device revealed at E3 this year, seemed like the next logical gaming platform and incorporating it within the shell of the existing 360 console seemed inevitable.
The best of all worlds in one neat box…but yet another SKU for the 360 console.
Those who purchased the 360 at launch (like me) had the unprecedented choice of two versions: the Arcade version without the hard drive, cheaper and entry-level for parents and casuals, and the Pro with the 20 gig hard drive, slightly more expensive but better in the long run.
Now there is the Arcade SKU, the Pro SKU (which now has a 60 gig hard drive), the Elite SKU (which is black and has 120 gig HDD), and soon (despite denials) most likely a 2010 model with Natal technology…all now with a HDMI port and better more reliable internal tech.
And Microsoft isn’t the only console manufacturer to change their console dramatically or add SKUs: Sony and Nintendo are doing it too.
Sony, in Australia, started with a 60 gig HDD Playstation 3 with backwards compatibility through emulation and a Six Axis non-rumbling controller, then went with a 40 gig HDD model with no backwards compatibility and a Six-Axis non-rumbling controller. It is now reduced to one SKU: the 80 gig HDD PS3 model with a rumbling Dual Shock 3 controller, but no backwards compatibility.
Their portable PSP has gone from what is now termed the Phat version, to the PSP 2000, and now the 3000, each with its own structural changes, and will soon add a new SKU to sell alongside the 3000 with the PSP GO! which has no UMD and is much smaller.
The popular Nintendo DS portable console has transformed into the DS Lite and then recently the new DSi with voice recording/ manipulation, camera, and internet which is being sold alongside the DS Lite SKU.
The goal of multiple SKUs (or retail versions) is to provide the consumer with choice, usually depending on their budget.
However, it can be very frustrating for early adopters who always like to have the best model. My nine year old son is frantically saving his allowance so he can find the AUD $200 to trade up his DS Lite (a newer metallic red version I might add) for a brand new DSi with the voice and photo alteration fun. Hardly worth it, in my opinion.
The same goes for me: I have a PSP 2000 and wonder is it worth upgrading to the PSP GO! when it is released later this year? For those who upgraded from the 2000 model to the 3000 model…was it worth it?
The confusion for gamers and John Smith’s Mum and Dad is understandable.
The problem is our own fault though. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo know how excited and even demanding people now get for newer gadgets with newer features.
We expect newer better gear faster.
Most importantly, they know many of us will pay for that upgrade, even if it isn’t really worth it, as well as attract new buyers to buy the new item with the new gimmick or genuine tech. They need to attract new buyers and beat their competition and that means constant innovation is necessary.
Apple, with its Ipod and Iphone’s constant changes and innovations demonstrates this. Video cameras and TVs do the same. It’s the way it is.
Companies have become compulsive about evolving their products to keep our increasingly fickle interest and money. This may be hard to swallow for early adopters who watch better versions come to market with cheaper prices, but at least they got to game or listen to music or watch High Def TV earlier, right?
While another 360 SKU with Natal technology may mean another pay loss for an upgrade for those of us that need the newest and best, this will be because of our own ‘need’.
After all it’s our choice. But temptation is a bitch too.
Microsoft will release a stand alone Natal unit that will attach to our existing 360s, but will it look as sexy in our already cluttered space? Don’t we wish for a simpler time when you weren’t tempted and had to wait until the next console to roll out before having to spend big again? When your hard earned money went only toward the games?
The fact is that the days of buying a console that will remain the same from day one to its commercial death, with only minor cosmetic changes or weight loss, is over.
At least we can still play our same games on our launch console (if we can stand to look at the old thing). That is until they release another yet more elaborate console….
What do you think?
Are tech upgrades and multiple SKUs good because they give you a choice with varied pricing and these constant upgrades are necessary and exciting, or are we really being “SKUed” and early adoption and loyalty mean nothing next to tempting us for more money? Please comment below.
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© 2009 David Hilton
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Filed under: Console gaming, Editorial, Handhelds, Hardware News, Industry News, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 News Tagged: | 360, ds, DSi, Natal, new Xbox SKU, nintendo, Nintendo DS, nintendo dsi, Playstation 3, project natal, PS3, PSP, PSP GO, Sony, Sony PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360
HI THERE WOW WHAT A WAST OF MONEY ALL THEY DID IS REPACKAGE THE OLD CONSOLE I WILL SAVE UP UNTILL REAL UPGRADE LIKE FASTER CPUS MULTI-PULL 10,000 15,000 RPM HARD DRIVES VERY HIGH SPEED SSD SOLID STATE FLASH DRIVES OR AT LEAST 1 TERABYTE OF STORAGE HALOGRAPHIC DISC HALO GRAMS HALO DECKS TELY TRANSPORTERS BUT I REALY WANT IS A PROTABLE XBOX IN 2010 IF POSSABLE I WANT MY HALO TO GO
Do you want a console, or a Powerhouse PC . . If so, then I’d suggest a trip to the local Game PC store would be in your best interest.
Consoles are NOT designed to ‘replace’ PC’s. They are designed to eventually end up as entertainment room devices and media hubs for “family fun” – not fun in a bedroom or office space.
This SKU conundrum recently posed a challenge for me. A friend of mine needed my advice in which console to buy. A strange thing to ask since I’m a PC Gamer (proud of it) but I read a lot of tech info. Unfortunately that didn’t go as planned since the PS3s and Wiis here only come in one or two SKUs only. We ended up with a PSP. Even that posed a problem in buying which SKU. He finally bought a PSP 1000 but I do felt a bit of guilt for not encouraging him buying the 2000. In the end his decision was made by the different pricing based on packaged accessories.
Can you people get more pedantic? Man…
As for the POINT being made, I think that though there have been multiple SKUs before, it is increasing so that it is starting to look like yearly changes to cars.
As long as we can still play all our games and get the important upgrade hardware we need (eg. Natal) separate, then only those who must have the newest thing will need to worry about it.
Is it worth it going from DS Lite to DSi or PSP 3000 to PSP GO? No, not really, unless you really need the new features. And then you’ll pay for it.
just note the first 360 SKU was called a core unit, not an arcade unit.
Skus have been around for longer than you mention too…
Seem to disregard the NES and SNES, all the different types of Sega’s and PS1′s over the years.
Also I would like to mention that there should be NO frustration about new SKU’s being released as, most times it is simply a small internal or cosmetic change which in no way affects the games you play etc.
MS have stated that the Natal will work with ALL 360′s, therefore even if an inbuilt Natal/360 is put on the market, you will still be able to buy it separately.
Personally, I think SKU’s are perfectly fine as they do not force you to upgrade, more or less tempt you to.
the console hes refering to as arron said is natal.
there not releasing another xbox next year that makes no sence.
they will have to release a succsessor to the 360 in 1011 2012 at the latest.
and im 99.9% posotive people aint going to buy a upgraded 360 in 2010 than a new xbox whatever its called in 2011.
if M$ think people are going to do that than there stupider and greedier than i thought.
Sorry, but did you notice we are in the middle of a financial crisis?
The most viable option for all three companies is to ride the current generation for as long as they can, another 5 years minimum, updating their SKUs while dropping the price of their console every 6-12 months or so.
I realize I used the wrong Know vs no in the end.
Thought I would mention that there is some incorrect information here. The Sega Master system changed once actually going backwards and removing the card slot. the Sega Genesis changed 3 times plus added peripherals that could only be used on certain versions not to mention costing hundreds of dollars. The original Playstation later removed a slot in the back for combining systems. The original PS2 removed fire wire later on. Shoot in Japan the original NES had a 3.5″ floppy drive. The idea to change and release different versions which limited something in some way in comparision to an earlier version is in know way new.
Some good points made here. I had taken a holiday from gaming from the 486 PC days to the N64 days so wasn’t aware of most these changes and can’t comment on them.
However, most of those changes seem pretty minor compared with those (and the number of them for one console) these days. All consoles have had their interiors changed around too, and different colours: but most changes weren’t a big loss or gain and just cosmetic. That’s why I and many others gave up PC gaming: the general continuity.
If you look at last gen with the Gamecube (except in Japan where they had an extra SKU with a dvd drive called the Panasonic Q I believe), the PS2 (which only changed colour, interior components, slimness- and price), and the original Xbox, there were few real significant changes like HDD space, features, additions of tech etc. You didn’t wait and see the next SKU, you waited for the next console to see what it did.
In portable gaming you did have the Nintendo Gameboy Advance, which I think has had 3 versions…all this before the DS. But they tended to replace, not co-exist like the PSP 3000 and GO or the DS Lite and DSi.
But the rate of change seems to be increasing, and I wanted to hear what people thought of these changes. Look at the Ipods and other devices that seem to upgrade to new versions yearly.
So even if there were some changes before this gen in gaming, you can still comment on what you think about that
Another correction, all DS models have a mic for voice.
Voice recognition only.
Besides is anyone going to actually look at the point I’m making?
Even if I missed a detail, the point is the number of changes made to the same console generation and that there are more console versions being sold at the same time now.
Even if the next 360 SKU has a small camera outside the actual casing, it’s still another SKU.
How do you all feel about all these different versions constantly being updated almost every year and how do you feel about having multiple SKUs for sale at the same time?
The console detail only outlined above is to flesh out the idea of different versions, not to chronicle exact changes perfectly .
get your facts right before you post incorrect info.
PS3 in aust, started with 60gb model, sixaxis and backwards compatibility.
Then 40gb model, sixaxis and no backwards comp.
Now 80gb model, duelshock 3 and no backwards comp.
love the articles comparing differences without you even knowing them
Thank you for the polite
reminder. I was focused on my point…which you have just helped make: there have been several models of PS3. I have the 40 gig one. There were still the 60g models being sold when I got my 40 gig, but at a much higher price.
I’ll make my corrections though.
I’m not trying to compare anything really: I’m trying to point out that there are many more transformations of current consoles and often multiple SKUs at one time being sold. The PS3 has been more of a transformation, while the PSP 3000 and PSP GO! or DS Lite and DSi, or Arcade, Pro and Elite are all SKUs co-existing in the marketplace.
you forgot the 20GB model which came out with the 60GB but was much cheaper because it had no BC and if i remember wright it had the exact same fetures as the 40GB.