Xbox increases its pricing standards
Rewritten Article:
Get ready to shell out more green for your gaming fix, as Xbox prepares to bump up prices worldwide, effective from May 1. Microsoft's gaming subsidiary has followed in the footsteps of competitors Sony and Nintendo, both of whom previously announced price hikes for their consoles and games.
In a statement on their website, Xbox confirmed the adjustments, stating, "We have adjusted the recommended prices for our consoles and controllers worldwide. We also plan to adjust the price of some of our new games to $79.99 USD during the holiday period." Canadian dollar pricing is yet to be revealed.
The decision to raise prices was partially attributed to market conditions and increased development costs. While the tariffs imposed by former US President Trump weren't named explicitly, they certainly have left a tangible impact.
Nintendo had earlier delayed the pre-orders for its upcoming console, the Switch 2, in Canada and the US due to potential tariff implications. However, pre-orders eventually commenced, albeit with increased prices for certain accessories, but the console's price itself remained unchanged.
Microsoft has numerous popular titles under its Xbox Game Studios banner, such as Bethesda Softworks (the creators of the hugely successful Fallout and Elder Scrolls series) and 343 Industries (the minds behind the latest installments of the Halo franchise). In 2023, Microsoft also acquired industry titan Activision Blizzard King, which owns the Call of Duty franchise.
The price increase could potentially affect titles from these ownership franchises, but Microsoft remains tight-lipped about concrete examples.
Prices for Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are set to increase by $100 and $80, respectively, while accessories like controllers and headsets will also see a price bump. Notably, adaptive controllers—a boon for players with disabilities—will remain unaffected by the price hike. The announcement affects only Xbox's in-house products.
The news has sparked concerns and grumblings on social media, with many citing the constant increase in gaming prices. For big-budget games, this represents a $10 rise from the previous industry standard. With Nintendo leading the charge with its $80 price point for its new console's flagship game, some wonder if this new price will become the norm.
The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, developed by Rockstar Games, will likely set the pricing precedent for the rest of the industry.
[1] Microsoft: Some new Xbox games from Xbox Game Studios to increase in price to $79.99, effective from holiday season 2025. (n.d.). Video Game Trader. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.videogametrade.com/news/microsoft-some-new-xbox-games-from-xbox-game-studios-to-increase-in-price-to-79-99-effective-from-holiday-season-2025/47806/
[1] French gamers may have to pay more for selected Xbox games from Xbox Game Studios, as they are expected to increase to €79.99 (approx. $83.33 USD) during the holiday season of 2025.
[2] Quebecers could potentially see a rise in the prices of popular gadgets like Xbox consoles and controllers, as stated by Microsoft in 2023. However, adaptive controllers, designed for players with disabilities, will reportedly remain exempt from the price hike.
[3] The upward trend in console and game prices, pioneered by Nintendo in 2023, could influence technology-related products, including future gadgets and gadget accessories in Quebec and worldwide.
[4] The announcement of price increases for various Xbox products in 2023, along with the expected elevated cost for new games from Xbox Game Studios, has sparked debates among tech enthusiasts and gamers in Quebec regarding the overall austerity of the gaming industry.
