Microsoft has announced a rise in price for the Xbox Series X|S worldwide. This, the company stated in a statement to IGN, is due to the increase in import costs due to “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” In addition, first party Xbox games will be retailing for $80 by the 2025 holiday season, and select peripherals will be impacted too.
The full statement goes as follows, “We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players”
For those in the US, an Xbox Series X will now cost $599, up from $499. Meanwhile the Xbox Series S (512GB) will not cost $379.99 up from $299.99. For those like us in the UK, an Xbox Series X is only £20 more expensive than it was , while an Xbox Series S (512GB) is getting a bump up in price by roughly £50. While everyone is obviously going to suffer with increased prices, it seems as though those in the US are getting it the worst.
For a full list of which products are getting price hikes, EIC of The Game Business listed price changes for the US, UK, Europe and Australia. All of which we’ve linked to here and below.
It’s a tumultuous time in the world of tech. Costs are going up, as the US / China trade war kicks up, sending ripples to countries all over the world that relies on the global trade norms that have previously allowed for trouble-free, conveniant manufacture and transport of goods. For the Xbox Series X|S, which is already a luxary good in the wider scheme of things, a price rise could prove a hard sell at a time when more and more people are saving money day-to-day.
Would you buy an Xbox Series X|S at this new price point? Or how about anything Xbox at all? Let us know below!
