Microsoft Announced Price hike on Thursday for its Xbox video game console, controller and games in the US, Tech Giants say change, which increases the price as an increase in $ 130, is due to the “market situation” and greater growth costs.
By Thursday, the cheapest Xbox console of Microsoft, Xbox series sCosts $ 379.99 in the US, its previous price $ 80 from the price of $ 299.99. Xbox series x $ 100 is more expensive, going for $ 599.99 instead of $ 499.99. Meanwhile, a premium Xbox series X with 2 TB storage is now $ 729.99, $ 130 or 21%.
Starting this holiday season, $ 79.99 will cost compared to the new game. $ 70 Microsoft set in 2023. The special version Xbox wireless controller also increased from $ 69.99 to $ 79.99.
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Microsoft Stated on a support page This changed the pricing “with a careful idea to the market status and increasing cost of development.” Pass Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft Membership Service for Hundreds of Xbox Games, Will remains $ 9.99 to $ 19.99 per month.
Xbox Series S (White) and Xbox Series X (Black). Getty images rust by Yeon-Je/AFP
Microsoft competitors Nintendo and Sony are also increasing prices. In April, Nintendo announced that his new switch 2 console was priced $ 449.99In comparison, the original switch cost $ 300 When it was launched in 2017.
Soni also said in April that it is Price increase prices For its Playstation 5 console in Europe, Britain, Australia and New Zealand due to inflation and separate exchange rates for 11% console. Console costs around $ 569 in Europe and Britain now, but still cost $ 499.99 In America
Video game development costs are sufficient. Microsoft acquired Gaming Company Activities Blizard in 2023 $ 68.7 billionPatrick Kelly, Head of Creative of Active, Since it is revealed Three recent calls of duty games cost between $ 450 million and $ 700 million (each), which is the highest growth cost ever by a video game developer.
Although the game can cost more, they are still an attractive part of the Microsoft business. Microsoft of Latest income reportEarlier this week, it has been shown that revenue in its more individual computing unit, including gaming revenue, increased by 6% to $ 13.37 billion for the quarter ended March 31.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told investors On an earning call On Wednesday that Microsoft game pass revenue increased by 45% year-on-year and Xbox materials and services increased by 8% year-to-year, which marks the best quarter in Xbox gaming history yet.
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Microsoft Stated In 2021 that it does not make a profit on the sale of the Xbox console, sells them in damage. Tech giants instead generates benefits from game sales and its Xbox game pass membership.
Microsoft is sold 27.7 million units By February 2024 of Xbox series X and S, per statista according to estimates.
