- New reports reveal that Microsoft is raising prices for its Xbox Series S|X dev kits.
- Developers must now pay $2000 for access to the hardware compared to the older price of $1500.
- This price hike sets a concerning precedent for future Xbox hardware and third-party support.
Price hikes in the gaming industry have become all too common, but Xbox has been the most impacted by this phenomenon. Following back-to-back console hikes, Game Pass price uplifts, and more, the brand seems to be continuing down the same path.
The latest reports seem to confirm another set of price hikes for Xbox hardware, but these uplifts will impact developers rather than consumers.
Why it matters: Xbox’s latest set of decisions has left many scratching their heads, and this particular report has only added to the confusion.
According to the very reliable Tom Warren, Xbox is raising the prices of its dev kits. The dev kits will now cost a whopping 33% more than before, with prices going up from $1500 to $2000.
Needless to say, this is a major bump. When asked to comment on the situation, Microsoft simply resorted to reiterating its commitment to supporting developers with high-quality tools and support.
It is said that microeconomic conditions and inflation are largely to blame for the price hike, but as seen before, Xbox seems to be raising prices more frequently than its competitors.
Moreover, this particular price hike could diminish support for the Xbox platform. Various smaller and mid-sized developers have already stated that this platform is not as big a priority today, so dev kits becoming inaccessible could lead to dwindling interest in the Xbox ecosystem.
At the same time, Microsoft has confirmed plans to work on a next-generation Xbox console. With the gaming giant continuing to raise prices, it’s anybody’s guess how expensive future hardware will end up being.
What do you think about the gaming giant’s decision to make dev kits more expensive? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 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.
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