Microsoft has been struggling a bit lately. While their new, eighth generation console is by no means failing, it is going through the same ordeal that Sony's Playstation 3 did at the beginning of the last console cycle. The Playstation 4 is an extremely powerful presence in the gaming industry right now and Microsoft is trying to figure out how best to escape from under its giant thumb. While things generally equalize over time, Microsoft and Sony are extremely competitive with one another when it comes to gaming, as are their fans.
We do not generally see a price cut so early in a console's life cycle, but Microsoft has decided to charge into the battlefield with a limited time discount. This is essentially the same tactic they used to rule the last console cycle, but on a larger scale. Does anyone remember how many timed exclusives Microsoft was able to acquire? The number was pretty egregious. At any rate, the Xbox One's $399 price point will be cut down to $349, a margin of $50. According to the report from Eurogamer, the change will take effect on November 2, 2014 and revert to its original price on January 3, 2015. This should give everyone who wants an Xbox One ample time to save up for one. This also makes it more likely that gamers will open one under their Christmas tree.
This price cut will also apply to the Xbox One bundles that are coming up, including the Assassin's Creed: Unity bundle. For the price of $349, you will be able to set yourself up with both an Xbox One console and a brand new game to play. That sounds like a pretty good offer to us.