5. Waiting Could Yield More For Your Money
Whether price drops will actually happen in 2014 (more on that in a minute) is uncertain, but there is very little doubt that both Microsoft and Sony will start to really sweeten the deal for consumers on their new consoles once the launch period rush starts to taper off. Look for not only different games bundled in with the consoles to start appearing in 2014, but also bundles that offer other little things to sweeten the deal. An extra controller, subscriptions to XBLA/PSN online services, gift cards for the digital stores, extra peripherals, larger hard drives, and special/limited edition consoles that will hold their value much better than the standard fare are all possibilities for those with the patience. What about the potential of actual price drops on the launch retail price? Typically, unless the console is in dire straits, price drops within the first year are non-existent, but things could very well be different this time around. Gaming more than ever is heading into unknown territory. There is more competition from other platforms than there ever was, AAA publishing models are failing, indie gaming is on the rise, and there are new, exciting peripherals like the Oculus Rift on the horizon with the potential to forever alter the way we game. The industry is in flux like it never has been before, and an event that could cause Microsoft and Sony to decide to drop their prices to stay competitive is very possible. But even without an actual price drop, holding off for a while should absolutely yield more for your money once you do decide to take the plunge.