Microsoft has announced it will raise the prices of its Xbox consoles and some upcoming games across global markets, attributing the decision to “market conditions” and increasing development expenses.
The company confirmed the price hikes on Thursday, just days after rival Sony introduced similar increases for its PlayStation 5 models in several regions.
The cost of the Xbox Series S will see a sharp increase in multiple countries. In the United States, the entry-level model will rise from $299.99 to $379.99 — a 27 per cent jump. The higher-end Series X Galaxy Black will go from $599.99 to $729.99, marking a 22 per cent increase.
In Europe, the Series S will go up from €299.99 to €349.99, an increase of around 17 per cent.
Microsoft will also raise the standard price for new titles developed by its gaming studios. Selected releases will now be sold at $79.99, up from the previous $69.99 — a 14 per cent increase.
“These changes were not made lightly,” the company said in a statement posted on its website. “They reflect current market conditions and the rising cost of game development.”
Although Microsoft did not refer to global trade policies directly, industry analysts point to ongoing US tariffs on Chinese imports as a contributing factor. Most Xbox consoles are assembled in China, which has faced additional tariffs — some as high as 145 per cent — under measures introduced during former US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Since launching in late 2020, the Xbox Series S and Series X consoles have reportedly sold around 30 million units worldwide, according to analyst estimates.
Earlier in April, Sony raised PlayStation 5 prices in several markets, including Europe, though it kept pricing unchanged in the US. Like the Xbox, PS5 consoles are also mainly manufactured in China.
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