Big info from FGN Online regarding the DC price cuts in Europe:
Sega’s next-gen console looks set for a further two price drops before the launch of Xbox and Gamecube later this year ? but only in the U.S. it seems. The system currently retails for $99.99, but in an attempt to clear out inventory, two price cuts are now expected before the holidays.
We received word from an anonymous source that Sega will cut the price on August 12 to $79.99, the new All Stars Sports Pack will sell for $99.99 featuring NFL 2K1 and NBA 2K1. The price is then expected to plummet one last to $49.99 around the turn of the year ? that’s almost the price of a game!
Sega U.S. has yet to officially announce the deal, and is refusing to be drawn on the subject in the U.S. Thankfully though, bigwigs at major retails firms can?t keep quiet about it. Speaking to the Hollywood reporter, Doreen McKenzie, director of merchandising and videogames at Babbage’s, revealed, “After the initial price drop to $79.99, Sega has told us that it will further reduce the price to $49.99 either around Christmas or early next year, depending on how much inventory it has left over.”
It’s a different story in Europe however. Dick Francis, Managing Director for the firm that now handles all things Dreamcast, told FGN Online, “Planet Distribution has no intention of lowering the price of Dreamcast from ?99.99. We have been very happy with our hardware sales figures and on software, especially from the game Sonic Adventure 2.”
He continued, “We have strong support from retailers and excellent sales into the consumer. Planet Distribution has exciting marketing plans in place for Christmas. Dreamcast has shown exceptional performance to date and we categorically have no intention of lowering the price from ?99.99.”
Well, if things hold as the firm says, European Sega fans may not be too happy come X-mas…
Source: FGN Online