Xbox 360 price cut, GDC director leaves, and more news

Apologies for the slow posting this week as I'm preparing for a big family wedding on Saturday. Meanwhiles, here's the big news I'm behind on posting:

-I reported back in July that there would likely be a price for the Xbox 360 this fall. Then earlier this month, ArsTechnica reported that the price cut would likely be to $200 for the Arcade, $300 for the standard (formerly known as "pro"), and $400 for the elite. I said that sounded about right for me. Now Joystiq has a Radio Shack flyer that confirms those new prices are coming September 7. Which is good timing, given that temporary 360 exclusive "Rock Band 2" comes out later in the month. Given the slowdown in sales for the 360 this year, it seems like a price cut is necessary. Now Microsoft is in the much stronger position of having one version even cheaper than the Wii and it's highest quality version the same price as the PS3, while its standard version is nicely positioned between the two.

-NPD, working with Chart-Track and Enterbrain, makes its data a bit more interesting by providing year-to-date sales for the top 5 games in the U.S., UK and Japan. Not clear whether they will provide this quasi-global data on a regular basis, though. Data is below. No surprise that "GTA IV" is #1, though NPD's 6.3 million is still far below Take-Two's self-reported total of 8.5 million as of May 31, revealing the limits of NPD's incomplete reporting (since Take-Two is a public company and we can probably assume we're being honest. It's also notable that "Wii Fit" is the one game to actually sell even better in Japan than the U.S. "Guitar Hero III," meanwhile has virtually no sales in Japan. I guess the Japanese like funky peripherals that let them improve their balance, but not become a rock star.

-Jamil Moledina, who has led the Game Developers Conference for five years and helped it grow into an event that's now arguably more important to the industry than E3, has left his job with the ever mysterious intention to "pursue other interests." Meggan Scavio, who already had the job as "event director" of GDC, is now in charge.

-The FTC has, perhaps unsurprisingly, given the OK to EA acquiring Take-Two. Now the only question is whether their upcoming private talks will lead to a deal.

I'll be back on Monday, with some fresh reporting coming next week.