Priced Out... Surging Costs Of Console Gaming
This week, Microsoft officially confirmed that there will be price hikes for their Series consoles. This announcement follows the recent price increases implemented by Sony for their PlayStation 5 models.
I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I can afford consoles at the new, rising prices. However, what really makes this situation strange and somewhat perplexing is the fact that prices are going up at all in the current market. I’ve been an avid gamer since the days of the Atari 2600, which was the very first console I ever received, thanks to a family friend's thoughtful hand-me-down. That definitely shows my age in this ever-evolving technology landscape. One thing that was consistently true from what I remember is that consoles typically became cheaper over the course of their generations. Console manufacturers often found innovative ways to produce them at lower costs; sometimes they even created mini versions of the original consoles to appeal to different audiences. A special shout-out goes to the SEGA Mega Drive 2, Sony PS One, and the PS2 Slim, all of which contributed greatly to gaming history.
The current generation of Microsoft consoles made its debut in 2020, and this upcoming November will mark an impressive five years since the initial release of both the Xbox Series X and S, as well as the PlayStation 5. At launch, the original pricing for these consoles was set at $499 for the Xbox Series X, which has seen a price increase to $599, and $299 for the Series S, which has also risen to $379. In addition to these changes, the prices of games have evolved during this generation as well, with standard titles moving from the initial $60 to now reaching up to $80 before this generation comes to a conclusion. Furthermore, there are even discussions suggesting that the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 could be priced at an astonishing $100 for the base game.
Console gaming was originally billed as the easy, low-cost gateway into the world of video games, an attractive option for many newcomers. However, that perception seems to be pretty dead in the water now, as the landscape of gaming continues to evolve and shift drastically. Many people have predicted for quite a while that the gaming industry will increasingly move in the direction of mobile devices and personal computers. If it costs around $600 to purchase a top-spec Xbox, you may as well consider building a gaming PC and enjoying gaming experiences on that instead. Additionally, online gaming is free on PC, and the prices for games are generally much cheaper on digital platforms like Steam, making it a more cost-effective option for many gamers. Current generation Apple and Android phones have the capability to handle near console-level gaming, providing users with an impressive gaming experience that rivals traditional gaming systems. These devices can also support high frame rates, ensuring smooth gameplay and enhanced graphics for a more immersive experience overall.
Phones receive updates every year, making it only a matter of time before they surpass the capabilities of current-generation consoles. In today’s fast-paced world, smartphones have become a vital part of our day-to-day lives, offering a multitude of features and functionalities that we rely on. In contrast, gaming consoles have increasingly evolved into an expensive luxury item, often seen as a significant investment rather than a necessity.
I’ve been closely watching the various console situations that have been unfolding recently as I’m in the process of making a game. It’s crucial for me to keep a careful eye on the developments in this area. From my observations, I will need to decide whether it is worth pursuing a console release for my game in the near future. My game’s release is still at least three to four years away from now. The gaming space evolves pretty quickly, so I anticipate that the industry will be very different from what it is today. There’s some rumor circulating that Microsoft’s next Xbox console will essentially be a PC, probably in a form factor that is somewhat similar to the Mac Studio from Apple. However, that’s just my personal guess based on the trends I’ve noticed. For now, I’m focused on PC development, working as a team of one, and I could never afford the high fees associated with console development anyway.