Rumor: Xbox Elite being phased out, assuming 'limited edition'

[Prime]

According to Fudzilla, Microsoft will be ending the mass availability of the Xbox 360 Elite in many parts of the world and plans on positioning it as a more "limited edition" console, as was originally intended.

Supposedly, retailers are less supportive of the higher-priced Elite consoles during these craptacular economic times, because their consumer demand is lower than the Arcade and Pro. As a result, Microsoft may be limiting the console's sales to select retailers in North America and Europe and stop taking Elite orders in other territories sometime during Q2.

The rumored Elite phase-out would allow it to be marketed as a "limited edition" offering, giving MS the option to sell specially themed (and possibly higher priced) Elite bundles when triple-A titles need promotion. (Think the Resident Evil 5 Elite bundle.) Fudzilla also mentions that Microsoft wants to expand the 360's storage capabilities by releasing a standalone drive that's larger than the Elite's current 120GB model.

Source

 

[Issac]

my god... If I were to buy a 360, it'd be an elite one... but no way I'll buy it right now.. and if they stop selling them... well... Don't know if i'm interested in buying one at all...

I have to check out what's available and such whenever I feel like buying one (I hate getting the almost best)

 

[Richy Freeway]

I just got the 20gb model and upgraded the HD to 120gb with my own drive. Exactly the same and cheaper. Oh, exactly the same apart from the colour.