As the run-up to Christmas slowly shifts up into a higer gear, you can guarantee that the gaming industry's big boys will start throwing verbal punches at one another in unashamedly self-gratifying statements.

Microsoft's latest slur concerns the Xbox 360 price cut. The firm's UK marketing manager, Dan Cornelius, told MCV that the recently discounted price will attract consumers in the market for a console away from Sony's PlayStation 3.

He noted that the Core Xbox 360 model does not force gamers into footing the bill for technology that they do not want, giving them a high-defintion-wanting user base that Sony cannot access. 

“If you look at PS3, it’s a lot of money for families to come in at,” he commented. “Sony is requiring a fairly novice gamer to enter into things like Blu-ray and wireless gaming by default. The Core’s still doing well for us in the UK and the price drop is bound to produce a spike in sales."

Cornelius concluded: "With the launch of Elite and the price drop, the delta in terms of value for money between 360 and PS3 gets broader. We feel we’re in a stronger position than our competitors in the run up to Christmas."

No doubt we'll bring you Round 653 of Sony vs. Microsoft's bickering brawl soon (GamerSquad? Counting? Nah!).