- Xbox is increasing the prices of both console hardware and games.
- Analysts expect PlayStation will do the same, charging up to $100-200 more for both PS5 models currently available.
- The gaming giant is also expected to adopt the $80 game pricing model.
Nintendo recently announced the $80 pricing standard for its most premium AAA titles, leading to plenty of criticism from the community. However, Xbox also followed suit, announcing price hikes for both consoles and games.
Although PlayStation has yet to do the same, analysts predict that it’s only a matter of time before the PS5 and PS5 Pro become more expensive.
Why it matters: The PS5 has already gone through multiple price hikes in the past, but the upcoming pricing changes are expected to be the worst of the bunch.
As per David Gibson of MST Financial, Xbox’s price hike likely came as a direct result of the recent tariffs imposed by the government.
He predicts that PlayStation will attempt to do something similar soon, with the PS5 consoles expected to see a price increase of as high as $200. Although this prediction is on the higher end, most people agree that a $100 price increment is inevitable.
This means that the PS5 Pro will likely undergo a similar adjustment, making it the industry’s first console to hover very close to the $1000 price point. Moreover, first-party PlayStation games could end up costing $80 by the end of the year.
David Gibson also believes that prices will change at some point this month, leaving fans with little time to prepare for the new era of AAA gaming.
Fortunately, the PS5 is still relatively cheap for now. The Astro Bot bundle includes the PS5 Disc Edition and Astro Bot for just $450, making it extremely valuable for those hoping to buy the new hardware for upcoming games like GTA 6 and Death Stranding 2.
What are your thoughts on the expected prices this year? Do you think the console industry will suffer as a result of increasing prices? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.