The global gaming industry is once again abuzz with the latest rumors regarding the next-generation Xbox console. Based on a report from TheGamer, an Xbox insider predicts that Microsoft's latest console could be the first console in the world to sell for more than $1,000. This prediction comes after the announcement of a strategic partnership between Microsoft and AMD for the development of a new generation chip that will be the brain of the console.
Read also: Xbox drops handhelds, focuses on next-gen consoles
Xbox's Transformation into a Flexible Gaming Platform
Xbox President, Sarah Bond, recently announced that the next generation Xbox will be a truly flexible gaming platform. In her statement, Bond emphasized that the console will allow gamers to play on a variety of devices and not be locked into a single digital store. In other words, the next generation Xbox will offer a gaming experience similar to that of a PC, where users are free to choose the digital store and device used.
This approach is a big change from the traditional console strategy, where typically users could only access games from a single ecosystem of digital stores. By opening up access to multiple storefronts, Microsoft could potentially attract more gamers, but it also faces new challenges in terms of business models and device pricing.
Price Speculation: First Console Above$1,000
One Xbox insider, Kepler, mentioned that if the new console really supports multiple digital stores, Microsoft will have to sell it at a profit margin, not at a loss as usual. This could cause the price of the console to break the $1,000 mark, something that has never happened before in the console industry. For comparison, the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black currently sells for$729.99, while the PS5 Pro is priced at$699.99.
If this prediction is correct, the next-gen Xbox will be the most expensive console in history. Console consumers have been enjoying more affordable prices compared to high-end gaming PCs. However, with the features and flexibility offered, Microsoft seems to want to change the perception of consoles into an all-round premium platform.
Challenges and Risks in the Market
This new strategy certainly carries a big risk. Console consumers are known to be very price-sensitive. If the price of the next-generation Xbox is really above $1,000, Microsoft must ensure that the features and experience offered are really worth the price. In addition, by opening up access to various digital stores, Microsoft must also be prepared to lose some of the revenue from their exclusive ecosystem.
Not only that, rumors also suggest that the high-end version of the Xbox handheld will sell for around €899, an unprecedented price for a handheld gaming device.
The next-generation Xbox has the potential to pioneer the console industry by offering PC-style flexibility and premium pricing. However, this strategy is full of challenges, especially in terms of market acceptance and consumer loyalty. Are gamers ready to accept a console priced above $1T4T1,000? Only time will tell. What is certain is that the console industry is about to enter an unprecedented new chapter.
Source: The Gamer
