I suspect that if the Sunset Overdrive bundle fails to keep X1 hardware competitive, Microsoft is gonna have to scrap their current bundle strategy (new free game with console purchase) and go to the next tactic on their list - a straight up $49-99 price drop on base H/W MSRP.
So far, their bundling strat at $399 has failed to move the needle vs the competition (Titanfall, Madden, FH2, September free game) and i think the data clearly points out that it's time to move on and try something new.
a $349 bundle with AC:U or MCC should definitely get them back in the hunt but the question is whether or not microsoft is willing to spend that much ($100+) for a single user acquisition.
I doubt a $349 bundle would make a difference. I doubt they'd win a single month at $349, even if it included MCC or AC:U. Basically, MS just has to ride out these next few years out while slowly building the brand back up and leading into next-gen. That's all they can do. Stop the bleeding, let thrombosis run its course and hope that the scarring afterward isn't too noticeable. Damn, that was a great line. If anyone reads this, how great was that line? Fucking beautiful. Anyway, it all comes down to the underpowered turd they put inside the box. Yes, the DRM debacle was also key but that can be repaired, that was a temporary PR nightmare. Power isn't temporary. I don't ever want to hear "power doesn't matter in the console wars" again. It
always mattered. Power has always been an integral part of the hype and marketing machine of games consoles. Microsoft completely shit the bed in that regard.
What's funny is that everything else has been great... they have a much better OS, they have better exclusives, they have better media support, they have a better online service, I even think the damn thing looks better...especially the white one. They did everything right except one of the most vital aspects, the innards. What an epic blunder.
I hope MS doesn't leave the console market after this debacle of a gen is over. Hopefully they realize they've achieved a lot of great things and that the future looks bright... assuming you don't put out a box 30-40% less powerful than your competition, and your competition is a company that has been in financial trouble for years while you're this behemoth making billions in profit every quarter, yet you still cheaped out on the hardware. Inexcusable, man.