What you need to know
- The PlayStation 5 is the primary competitor to Xbox in the console gaming space.
- Sony announced today that the PS5 will receive a price increase in key markets, including Japan and the UK
- Microsoft released a statement to us saying that there are no plans to follow suit.
Today, Sony dropped an unexpected surprise in the video game industry by announcing that it is planning this PlayStation 5 price hike in many major markets. Price increases are up to 20% or more in some areas. The company cited economic pressures and inflation as the main drivers behind its decision.
Since that announcement, Xbox fans and commentators from across the gaming field have wondered if it’s even possible Microsoft will follow suit With the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. Microsoft won a lot of grounds in the current console generation by focusing on value across Xbox Game Passand more affordable Xbox S, which targets 1080p while providing next-generation speeds. One could argue that it would spoil some of the loophole in this argument if Microsoft raised its console prices at a time when families are struggling in a tough economy, and Microsoft seems to agree.
In a statement to Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that there are no plans to raise the price of the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, reiterating that they will remain at baseline RRPs in various currencies, including US dollars, British pounds and euros.
“We are constantly evaluating our business to offer our fans great gaming options. The suggested retail price for the Xbox Series S remains at $299 (£250, €300), while the Xbox Series X is $499 (£450, €500)”.
While that’s not a solid guarantee that we’ll never see a price hike for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, it’s certainly an encouraging sign that Microsoft has no intention of doing so in the short term. It is certainly a fact that markets around the world are suffering from disruption of supply chains and inflation as a result of the global pandemic. The United Kingdom is expected to reach an unprecedented level 18% is a prominent hypertrophy markFor example, with currencies in the Eurozone also affected by the disruptions in the energy sector due to Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine.
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