Even though it’s a new console generation, it seems like Microsoft game prices won’t be going up to match some of the biggest titles currently on the market or coming to it. Various retailers have priced Xbox Series X versions of games as being at the same $59.99 tag as before.
There’s been a great deal of discussion ever since the new console generation began of what exactly new tech would mean for game prices. Various big publishers such as Electronic Arts and 2K games, along with Activision, have made it clear they’d increase game prices to $70 to make up for new technology costs. Microsoft doesn’t appear to be following that trend though.
Various retailers such as GameStop, Wal-Mart, and Best-Buy have shown that even games that will be coming out soon such as Rainbow Six: Extraction and the Xbox Series X version of Microsoft Flight Simulator will be sticking to the $59.99 price tag, and hopefully future Microsoft game prices will stay there as well.
Far from attempting to ape PlayStation this generation, Microsoft has made it their mission to spread gaming to as many people as possible, allowing cross-platform play, accessible gaming services like Game Pass, and more. This might be another part of their plan, especially given the large variety of studios that they now have under their umbrella.
Considering most of the games that are increasing their prices are yearly releases such as various sports games, it’s also clear that profit doesn’t seem to be foremost on Microsoft’s mind. This could also stand to work out in their favor, despite the PlayStation 5 having games that more people are excited for.
The Xbox Series X is more powerful than the PlayStation 5 and also this time is specifically gaming-focused, plus its cheap Game Pass system will likely draw a great many people without the money to spend on expensive new games, even now that Microsoft has made its E3 2021 announcements. Either way, hopefully Microsoft game prices will stay consistent in the future until there’s actual good cause to raise them.