Microsoft just announced a $10 price increase to their Xbox video games, starting in 2023. Titles such as Forza Motorsport, Starfield, and Redfall that are scheduled to launch in 2023 will see their price increased. Previously the titles were set at $60 USD, which is set to be $70 USD now. Microsoft also stated this change is worldwide and will affect other regions as well.
‘This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles,’ a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN. ‘As with all games developed by our teams at Xbox, they will also be available with Game Pass the same day they launch.’
Other companies like Ubisoft and Sony had already announced similar price hikes for their games in an effort to keep up with inflation. Microsoft has held out the longest amongst their competitors.
‘We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games… and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was important to maintain the prices,’ Spencer said in October.
Spencer also stated the price increase will only take effect on 2023, with the latest batch of new releases. And for now the price hike will only affect video games, and not consoles.
Economically speaking, inflation and the pandemic took a toll on global markets, causing price hikes in various industries, including the gaming industry, as companies around the globe race to acquire talented individuals with games becoming ever more complicated to create.
As an avid gamer myself, A $10 price hike may not seem too much of a trouble for me as I’d rather support the gaming industry as such talented teams can produce awesome games. A little money goes a long way.
