While watching: Microsoft will not raise prices for its games before the rest
Price hikes for next-gen games have been hotly debated by many publishers in recent months, including Activision Blizzard, Gearbox Software, Take-Two Interactive, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Microsoft’s position was previously unknown, but Xbox CFO Tim Stuart shared his opinion on pricing at Jefferies Interactive Entertainment.
We are not yet making specific announcements about our own prices. We will do them when the time is right, ” he said.
So far, Microsoft is looking at other publishers. If they can set a higher price in a way that suits the audience and is justified, then the Xbox platform holder will join them. “Prices haven’t gone up in a couple of generations, so it’s no surprise to see [that the issue comes up],” Stewart added.
The CFO also brought up a topic that has been talked about by many developers, publishers, and industry analysts – production costs will inevitably arise, and that this could also lead to higher prices.
Microsoft’s position on this issue will be of particular interest given the corporation’s investment in Xbox Game Pass. Xbox marketing chief Aaron Greenberg has said the same in the past, wondering if the prices of games matter so much when they’re already in the subscription catalog.
Electronic Arts and Capcom are also refraining from raising prices for now.
