Some of the latest news released by Microsoft has had a big impact on Xbox consumers, not a positive one. This news impacts everyone, from long-time gamers to those who play occasionally or have a sporadic interest. In this article, we will discuss the impacts and causes behind these decisions, which will make consumers unhappy, especially in the gaming world.
Starting in the holiday season: Not a very good Christmas Gift
A niche market that is already considered expensive by many will experience the biggest price increase in recent years during the next holiday season. Microsoft has announced that games for Xbox will cost $80.00 starting by the end of this year, an increase of more than 10% compared to the current price of $70.00.
Unfortunately, especially for those who enjoy building great collections of games, this change will have a huge impact on them. For international buyers, currency conversion and local taxes can make the prices even more painful.
For those who don’t yet have an Xbox at home and are thinking about buying one or giving one as a gift, from now on, you may need to rethink. Just like the price of consoles, accessories like controllers and headsets will also have undergone a change that could impact the wallets of those who intend to purchase a complete game setup.
Consoles and accessories won’t be spared. Why is this happening now?
The main reason presented by the company is that the increase in value follows a market trend where the costs inherent in the production of a game have been increasingly higher, especially for AAA games, which are characterized by a more refined quality, with top-tier graphics, high production costs, and differentiated gameplay.
Game prices weren’t the only ones to suffer from these adjustments. Consoles didn’t escape either; in some cases, the increase was as much as $100. Since May 1st, Xbox Series consoles, such as the Xbox Series S, have gone from $299.00 to $379.99. Another example is the Xbox Series X, which changed from its previous price of $499.99 to $599.99.
Microsoft’s decision comes from a series of organizational economic factors, to deal with external matters such as inflation, rising materials costs, and high demand for electronic equipment. It is important to analyze that this move by Microsoft may be a strategic plan to encourage customers to subscribe to Game Pass, its subscription portal that provides access to hundreds of games, offered at a more affordable price compared to $80.00 for a single game.
What is the gaming community’s reaction to the Xbox change?
As expected, the gamers didn’t react well to the news of the price increase. A lot of them complain that they had plans to expand their collection or buy new equipment, but after this news, they are really frustrated and thinking of postponing the purchase; however, giving up is still a considered possibility for them.
Many believe that Microsoft has made it difficult to access its products, especially for those who already have financial problems, which may have consequences for the company, such as the search for other more affordable alternatives. The company, on the other hand, insists on emphasizing its commitment to offering value to players through services like Xbox Game Pass.
Regardless of the reasons behind these decisions, one thing is certain: this will have a direct negative impact on gamers who use or intend to use Xbox. Will players accept the price updates well? Will they choose to subscribe to Game Pass? Or maybe they’ll choose to put down their controller for a while? The next few months will be crucial to understanding the possible consequences of this news. For those who follow football as well as gaming, check out the latest news on the NFL Dream Team being lined up for the next Olympic Games.
