Microsoft Is Torpedoing Xbox With Yet Another Price Hike

Microsoft has announced a price increase for its Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, effective immediately. The company cites the "current macroeconomic environment" as the primary reason for the price hike. The Xbox Series X, the more powerful of the two consoles, will now cost $549, up from the previous price of $499. The Xbox Series S, the more affordable digital-only version, will now be priced at $349, an increase of $50 from the original $299. Microsoft has stated that the price changes are necessary to "reflect the current global economic conditions" and the "increased costs we are seeing in our business." However, many industry analysts and consumers have criticized the move, arguing that it could negatively impact Xbox's competitiveness in the gaming market, especially against Sony's PlayStation 5, which has maintained its original pricing. The price hike comes at a time when consumers are facing increased economic pressures, and some may view the move as an attempt by Microsoft to offset its own rising costs at the expense of its customer base.