Xbox will raise the prices of first-party Xbox Series X games from 2023. Many next-generation games cost $70 these days, a $10 increase from the previous standard of $60. This is true for some cross-generation titles as well, in which case the PS4 and Xbox One versions cost $60 and users have to pay an upgrade fee to play the new edition.
Sony was one of the first major publishers to announce this price increase. PS5 exclusives like Demon’s Souls, Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart cost $70 at launch, while smaller-scale games such as Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales came in at $50. Cross-generation games like God of War Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7 cost $60 for the PS4 edition as opposed to $70 for the PS5 version. Many third-party publishers have since increased prices as well, and it now looks like Xbox will be joining this list relatively soon.
A Microsoft spokesperson told IGN that new first-party games for Xbox Series X/S will cost $69.99 from 2023. This includes major Xbox Game Studios titles like Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield. Microsoft confirmed that the new price reflects the “content, scale, and technical complexity” of these games, before confirming that all first-party games will continue to be available on Xbox Game Pass at no extra cost.
1 year of Xbox Game Pass costs $120 while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate goes for $180. So, this move technically increases the value offered by an Xbox Game Pass subscription. However, Microsoft may also choose to increase the price of Xbox Game Pass to better match the cost of the games.
Earlier this year, Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed that Microsoft may increase the price of various Xbox products at some point in the future. He didn’t specify any particular product or service, leaving the room open for a price increase in various categories. Some fans may remember that Microsoft also tried to increase the price of Xbox Live Gold before reversing the decision.
Sony had recently increased the PS5’s price in various countries, giving general inflation and adverse currency trends as the reasons for this change. PS5 saw a price increase in Europe, the UK, Canada, Japan, China, Australia, and Mexico among others, while the cost remained in the USA. Both Nintendo and Xbox expressed their desire to keep the prices intact, so it’ll be interesting to see if either console manufacturer decides to follow Sony in the future.
Source: IGN