Confirmed: Get an Xbox for Only $99 with a 2 Year Xbox Live Subscription

Last week's rumor that The Verge reported on about Microsoft releasing a new Xbox 360 Kinect bundle for a subsidized price of $99 has come true. The catch? To get that discounted price you're going to need to lay down a signature for a 2 year subscription to Xbox Live at the price of $15 a month, similar to signing on to a mobile carrier when wanting a new smartphone.

If there's not anything we've learned is that Microsoft wants all your money and they want it anyway they can get it. In my original post of the deal I related it a lot to how layaway works in department stores, however, you will be paying an extra $40 right off the bat if you can't afford the $429 asking price tag. I still stick to my comparison since this ends up being a good alternative to parents looking to get their kids a new console without having to break the bank.  

I've noticed that a lot of people being cynical saying it's a horrible deal considering the fact you could just pay the money up front and get it cheaper, but look at it this way. You could be 13 years old who doesn't have an Xbox. With this deal you could convince your parents to fork over a cool $100 bill with you using your allowance to pay Live's bill each month. 

Want to take advantage of this deal? Then head over to the Microsoft Store's website to print out your voucher / coupon and then take it over to your local MS Store to redeem it. However, let's just hope there's one in your vicinity.

Y'know not everyone can afford a home console so I think this is a smart business tactic, with the exception that you have to visit a Microsoft Store to get the benefits of this deal. And that's a little difficult considering there's only some 17 of them in the entire United States currently. 

So what do you think of the deal? It's not for everyone but what about those who can't afford the $400+ price tag?