Microsoft is raising price of new Xbox games to US$70 from next year

MICROSOFT is raising the price of new Xbox games to US$70 from US$60 starting in 2023, following other big gaming rivals from Ubisoft Entertainment to Sony Group and Take-Two Interactive Software.

The US$10 bump, which was earlier reported by IGN, will affect next-generation games including Starfield, Redfall and Forza Motorsport, the company said in a statement. “This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles,” a spokesperson said. The games will be available as part of Microsoft’s subscription service, Game Pass, for US$9.99 a month on Windows and Xbox consoles.

Many top games remained at a US$60 price point for nearly two decades. In 2020, when Sony and Microsoft released their latest consoles, executives debated increasing the price in line with factors including the ballooning cost to develop games and inflation.

Microsoft said the company was holding off on the increase until after the holidays, “so families can enjoy the gift of gaming”. BLOOMBERG