This mess of a console generation for Xbox is rapidly coming to an end, and the state of the industry is spelling out more horror for gamers on the horizon.
New CEO Asha Sharma says things are turning around in her first few months since taking over, with the business rebounding with some recent changes. But according to a new report from Fortune, the good vibes will come to an end when the next console’s price tag is revealed.
Citing internal projections, the report states that the new console codenamed Project Helix could cost between $1,200 and a whopping $1,800 when it launches in its currently scheduled period of 2028, “unless Microsoft decides to subsidize the cost.” That’s a number that could get you a pretty decent gaming PC. Or, at least it used to. With how component prices continue to horrifyingly rise, who even knows anymore.
This news follows up a weekend report from WCCFTech that Sony’s next console, Microsoft’s main competition for the Xbox that’s also spent this generation making poor decision after poor decision, will also come in at well over four digits. The cost of producing the RAM and SSDs necessary for the presumed PlayStation 6 has already reportedly reached around $680, and is likely to climb. So, yeah, get those payment plans ready.
To pair with the Helix console, Fortune says Xbox is planning to release a new handheld next year ahead of the console in 2028. The company is also working on “a major overhaul of Game Pass that would have players choose features à la carte, including add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer, with the system operating on a tiered structure.”
With how prices are looking for gaming in general, I’m beginning to understand what the company was trying to go for with its “This is an Xbox” slogan and ad campaign (not really). But now, you’ll need to probably fork over an entire average paycheck (or more) to play whatever game the company is working on next.
