- According to analysts, PS6 and Xbox Helix sales will drop 38% compared to current-gen hardware if the price tag is $1000.
- Consequently, both PlayStation and Xbox will lose $3.4 billion in consumer spending by 2031.
- The gaming giants can delay next-gen hardware or heavily subsidise it to fix this issue.
With the memory crisis predicted to get worse in 2027, the price of next-gen hardware is a matter of concern for the entire gaming industry right now. The widely predicted $1,000 price tag for PS6 and Xbox Helix is a cause for worry for both consumers and gaming giants, as hardware would become unaffordable for many gamers.
Sony has even emphasized that it has no release date set for the PS6 as of yet, thanks to the strain the memory crisis is putting on the industry. Now, new research has shed light on how much hardware will suffer next-gen if prices don’t come down, and the hit is certainly sizeable.
Why it matters: If PlayStation and Xbox want hardware to stay relevant, delaying next-gen consoles seems like the only way out of this pickle.
As reported by Ampere Analysis, the combined number of PS6 and Xbox Helix consoles sold in the first five years will drop by 38% compared to the sales of Xbox Series X|S and PS5 across the same period if next-gen hardware launches at $1,000.
According to the firm, if the companies decide to launch incrementally improved next-gen consoles in 2028, consumer spending will fall off a cliff. Both PlayStation and Xbox will lose $3.4 billion by 2031 across their games and services sector due to the price tag being $1,000 instead of $700.
Ampere Analysis also offered multiple scenarios in which gaming giants can avoid this fate. PlayStation and Xbox can either delay the next-gen consoles beyond 2028 or take heavy subsidies on the hardware while developing new methods of monetisation to recoup those costs.
Considering how Sony has reiterated that it’s in no rush to launch the PS6 and compete with Xbox Helix, while Team Green is looking for ways to bring down the costs of next-gen hardware, it’s safe to say the gaming giants are exploring all options to combat the bleak reality of the industry.
Do you think consumer spending on consoles will fall off a cliff if PS6 and Xbox Helix have a $1,000 price tag? Will you pick up either console at that price? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
Join Our Community
