Xbox 720 Rumors and Price: Microsoft Could Implement the 360 Subscription Plan

Earlier this year, Microsoft unveiled a new subscription plan for purchasing the Xbox 360.

This new plan enabled gamers to purchase the console for a lower retail price ($99), but they had to pay a monthly subscription. The monthly subscription cost $14.99 per month for a two year subscription the console's online system Xbox Live. The offer was for a 4 G Xbox 360 with Kinect motion sensor. The plan also required consumers to undergo a credit check. The plan was initially available through 17 of its own shops. Then it was expanded to Best Buy and a few GameStop stores. Recent news indicates that it will expand to Wal-Mart, Toy "R" US and all GameStop stores in the next few weeks. They will also expand the plan to offer the 250 GB version of the console for $149 for a limited time.

However, the biggest news regarding this Xbox 360 plan as nothing to do with the 360; it has everything to do with Microsoft's next console, presumably called the 720.

Microsoft's General Manager for Marketing Matt Barlow recently stated that the plan had such a positive result that he foresees it being a part of the long term plan and that it was "pivotal to our business" A number of news outlets such as The Examiner, Plugged In and Gamerant all suggested that this could potentially be utilized for the Xbox 720. Considering that the next Microsoft console could launch for upwards of $500 (the 360 launched for $399.99), this type of deal could ultimately help consumers avoid the initial sting that the first day purchase could cause.

There is still no news on the Xbox 720's release date or what it will offer. A new Microsoft controller has already been announced as being in the works, but aside from that most of the news is pure speculation.