Microsoft names its price for the Xbox One

Microsoft has announced the official pricing for its Xbox One console, with the new device to cost $US499.99 in the US., £429 in the U.K. and €499 in Europe.

At current conversion rates, the US price works out to be around $527.69 Australian dollars, although Microsoft tends to charge Australian consumers more than their overseas counterparts for the same product, meaning the price is ultimately likely to be higher.

Aside from the new console, the tech giant promises a bundle including the new Kinect, one Xbox One Wireless Controller and a free 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members.

When the new device was unveiled last month, the company was attempting to present it as being a general purpose entertainment device rather than a console.

However, with a launch price that makes the device significantly more expensive than set top units such as Apple TV, which retails in Australia for $109, the company is now keen to re-emphasise its use for video games rather than viewing television.

“Microsoft Studios is committed to making Xbox One the best place to play games, with more titles in development and more exclusives coming than at any time in the history of Xbox,” says Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Studios.

“With amazing games such as ‘Forza Motorsport 5,’ ‘Ryse: Son of Rome,’ ‘Dead Rising 3,’ ‘Halo Xbox One,’ ‘Kinect Sports Rivals,’ ‘Project Spark’ and ‘Quantum Break,’ Xbox will continue to lead the industry with the biggest exclusives, new IP and blockbuster franchises that will delight gamers for the next decade and beyond.”