Microsoft has confirmed it’s going to improve the costs of a few of its first-party Xbox video games to $70 beginning in 2023. Specifically, main video games constructed for Xbox Series X/S will price $10 extra within the US, together with Starfield, Redfall and Forza Motorsport. Regional value will increase could fluctuate.
“This value displays the content material, scale, and technical complexity of those titles,” a Microsoft spokesperson instructed IGN, which first reported the information. “As with all video games developed by our groups at Xbox, they may even be out there with Game Pass the identical day they launch.”
Other main publishers, together with Sony, EA and Take-Two Interactive, have been charging $70 for choose current-gen video games. Microsoft was capable of maintain off on growing costs, doubtless as a result of the corporate does not depend on video games as its major income driver.
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In August, Sony elevated the worth of the PlayStation 5 in most international locations, however not the US. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stated in October his firm would not increase Xbox costs forward of the vacation season (the Xbox Series S really went on sale in November), however famous that “I do assume sooner or later we’ll have to lift the costs on sure issues.” We’re beginning to see that play out now.
One doable end result of Xbox elevating costs on first-party video games is that extra individuals could also be keen to check out Game Pass. Starfield, Redfall and Forza Motorsport will all be out there on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on day one. That might make Game Pass extra engaging and an excellent higher worth proposition — at the very least till Xbox inevitably raises the worth of its subscription providers too.
Furthermore, this appears to mark the start of a shift away from releasing main new video games on previous-generation consoles. With the exception of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Microsoft has made native Xbox One variations of its Series X/S video games.