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The next-gen Xbox won’t cost you $1,800. It can’t. Can it?
The Verge • • technology
Key Points:
- Fortune reports that the next Xbox, expected in 2028, could cost between $1,200 and $1,800, a price point that many insiders and former Microsoft executives believe would hinder its market success.
- Microsoft has historically subsidized Xbox hardware costs but new leadership suggests this practice may end due to sustainability concerns, making such a high price plausible without subsidies.
- Alternatives to direct purchase could include subscription models bundling the console with Xbox Game Pass, rental options via cloud gaming, or a family of devices strategy offering varied pricing and performance tiers.
- The high cost and supply constraints might position the next Xbox as a premium, early adopter product, while the broader market may continue using current-generation consoles, effectively delaying a full next-gen transition.
- Microsoft aims to maintain affordability through flexible hardware options and partnerships, allowing less expensive Xbox devices alongside the flagship model, continuing the trend of backward compatibility and shared game ecosystems.
