Microsoft confirms price hike as upcoming Xbox Series X|S titles like Starfield, Redfall and Forza Motorsport will now cost $70
In the latest update from Microsoft, a spokesperson has announced a $10 price hike for upcoming Xbox first-party games for next-gen consoles. Here are all the details you need.
After the earlier statement from Phil Spencer about the increase in Xbox consoles, games, and subscription prices, we have news on the same from Microsoft. Reports now suggest that the hike will be applicable from the next year, 2023, itself. The price hike will come in, starting with upcoming games from Xbox Game Studios like Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield. Here’s more on these developments.
Price hike on Xbox first-party titles- Details
As reported by The Verge, a spokesperson from Microsoft said in a statement that the price hike will be applicable starting in 2023. Games built for next-gen consoles, that is Xbox Series X/S will increase in cost by $10. Earlier Xbox Series X/S games were available at $59.99 USD. Now they will be priced at $69.99 USD. Full-price titles particularly mentioned are upcoming games from Xbox Game Studios- Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield. However, these games will continue to be available for download on Xbox Game Pass when they launch as Day One releases, as always. The Verge quotes the spokesperson, “This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles.”
The price hike in Xbox and Microsoft’s gaming products has been expected for sometime, given that Sony PlayStation’s next-gen products range somewhere from $49.999 to $69.99. Back in October, Xbox boss Phil Spencer himself was recorded saying that they won’t be able to hold the price on games and consoles for much longer. However, he did mention back then that the hike was not to be applied till after the holiday season. The Microsoft spokesperson has now said in a statement that they’ve “held on price increases until after the holidays so families can enjoy the gift of gaming.”
When it comes to the cost of these Xbox Series X/S games in India, they may differ since games are usually launched with regional pricing. However, that’s about all the update we have on the games. There’s no news however on the specifics of the changes in pricing of the consoles yet. Regardless, Xbox is following the course set by other gaming giants like Sony, and developers like Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive. The PlayStation 5 has already seen a price hike in a number of countries including India. In fact, a further increase is impending for Sony PlayStation products, as per the latest updates. Ubisoft and Take-Two too have recently quoted $70 for some of their upcoming games.