Hardware Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Pricing.
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"Every major publisher has approached us to review their old Kinect and Wii catalogue" - Nex Playground is spoilt for choice as its international rollout continues
Nex Playground, a family-friendly micro-console, is expanding globally, with Germany being its next major market. The company has sold over a million units and is seeing strong subscription attach rates. Nex Team is actively reviewing older Kinect and Wii titles for potential revival on its platform, alongside new partnerships with Sega and Bandai Namco for Pac-Man and Sonic Forces: Rival Rush.
Yes, the Steam Frame price is (just) over $1k
The Steam Frame VR headset has been priced at $1,059 USD for the base 256GB model, with a 1TB version costing $1,299 USD. This high price point, coupled with the recent increase in gaming hardware costs, positions it as an expensive entry into the VR market. The headset includes Half-Life: Alyx and features advanced technology like foveated rendering, but notably does not ship with a power supply.
Valve's Steam Frame pricing starts at $1,059
Valve has announced the pricing for its new Steam Deck virtual reality device, with the base 256GB model starting at $1,059 and a 1TB model at $1,200. Additional accessories will further increase the cost. This pricing is significantly higher than the Meta Quest, with both companies adjusting hardware costs due to a computer memory shortage driven by AI firms.
Valve targeted a lower price for the Steam Frame, then the memory crisis happened: 'I wish we could have shipped it…
Valve's new Steam Frame VR headset is launching at higher price points than initially intended due to a global memory crisis. Engineers Joy Lyons and Jeremy Selan confirmed Valve aimed for a lower price but component costs, particularly RAM, forced adjustments. The Steam Frame's pricing is significantly higher than competitors like the Meta Quest 3, which also faced price increases.
Valve’s Steam Frame VR headset opens for orders, with the cheapest model priced at a lenswatering £889 / $1,059
Valve has opened orders for its new Steam VR headset, with prices starting at £889 / $1,059 for the 256GB model. The headset is described as a versatile piece of VR kit, capable of playing PC VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx and even some flat Steam games. However, the high price point and ongoing component shortages have impacted its affordability and availability.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look Caused 33 Percent Jump in PS5, Xbox Series X/S Console Sales
The extended look trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has reportedly caused a significant jump in PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S console sales in the UK, with some retailers experiencing stock shortages. Despite this surge, analysts caution that rising hardware prices may still be a barrier for consumers, and the long-term impact on overall install base growth might not be as massive as hoped.
Despite horrendous layoffs, obscene hardware prices, and everything else, Saber Interactive exec says 'this is a…
Despite industry-wide challenges like layoffs and high hardware prices, Saber Interactive's Tim Willits believes it's a good time for game development due to accessible platforms like mobile phones and Fortnite. He encourages developers to create games and suggests laid-off talent will be reabsorbed by the industry.
PS6 Handheld Costing $600 is “Definitely Not Possible” Due to LPDDR Price Increases – Rumor
A rumor suggests that a PlayStation 6 handheld console is unlikely to be priced at $600 due to significant price increases in LPDDR memory. The leaker also indicated that the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro are likely sold at or near cost, with potential memory shortages continuing into 2028. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has previously stated the company does not plan to sell hardware at substantial losses.
That limited edition green see-through Xbox Series X reportedly costs as much as a PS5 Pro, and releases on Black Friday
A limited edition green translucent Xbox Series X, celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary, is reportedly set to release on Black Friday for an estimated $899.99, matching the rumored price of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This special edition console features a see-through case and a matching controller. The article also touches upon recent widespread restructuring within the Xbox division, impacting 1600 employees, and ongoing component shortages affecting hardware pricing.
Nintendo has confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2's new UK price — it's only going up by £24
Nintendo has confirmed that the UK price for the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase by £24, rising from £395.99 to £419.99 starting September 1, 2026. This change follows similar price adjustments announced for the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan earlier this year, attributed to market conditions and global supply chain issues impacting hardware manufacturing.
$1,000 Consoles Could Have This Dramatic, Negative Effect On Gaming – Report
An analysis by Ampere Analysis suggests that if next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix launch at a $1,000 price point, sales could be 38% lower in the first five years, costing the market $3.4 billion by 2031. The firm recommends strategies such as delaying launches, subsidizing hardware, or innovating on form factor to avoid such high prices.
The Steam Frame is ‘just around the corner’ but the Steam Machine has already killed my interest — only Half-Life could save it now
Despite a developer's tease that the Steam Frame VR headset is launching soon, the author expresses a lack of excitement due to the high price and past disappointment with the Steam Machine. The article suggests that only a new exclusive Half-Life game could potentially salvage interest in Valve's upcoming VR hardware, though the author personally is not a fan of the series.
How Sony can soften the blow of a digital-only future - Reader's Feature
A reader suggests ways Sony Interactive Entertainment could mitigate the negative impact of a digital-only future for the PlayStation 5 and future consoles. The suggestions include cheaper game prices, more consistent pricing for older titles, a rewarding loyalty program, better refund policies similar to Steam, and a monthly payment option for new console hardware.
"Machines that weren't game machines before will become game machines": Take-Two CEO predicts that streaming will help fix the industry's hardware pricing problem
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick predicts that cloud gaming will become mainstream within three years, potentially alleviating issues with high hardware costs. He believes this shift will expand the addressable market for games, especially in less affluent regions. Zelnick also noted the increasing importance of PC as a gaming platform and expressed optimism about advancements in network technology addressing latency concerns, despite past failures like Google Stadia.
Valve's Steam Frame VR headset reportedly set to cost you over $1,000
Valve's upcoming wireless Steam Frame VR headset is reportedly set to cost over $1,000, according to leaker Tyler McVicker. This price point would position it as one of the most expensive gaming VR headsets on the market, potentially due to rising component costs. The headset aims to offer powerful native performance on SteamOS, reducing reliance on a connected PC for many titles.
Xbox’s next round of price increases have landed, and they’re worse than we thought
Xbox has implemented price increases for its Series S and Series X consoles, effective August 1st, with steeper hikes in Australia than initially anticipated. These increases are attributed to a significant rise in console storage and memory component costs, driven partly by the AI boom redirecting fabrication efforts. Despite the price hikes, Microsoft continues to incur losses on each console sold.
PS6 will be cheaper than a gaming PC says Sony - but how much cheaper?
Sony's chief financial officer, Lin Tao, stated that the upcoming PlayStation 6 will be more affordable than a high-end gaming PC. While Sony is increasing investment in next-generation hardware, expected around 2027-2028, they believe curated exclusive content, not physical discs, is the key differentiator from PCs. Despite being cheaper than a gaming PC, the PlayStation 6 is still anticipated to be a significant financial investment.
Virtual Reality Check
The Steam Deck may end up being more expensive than the original Steam Machine, according to IGN. This comparison highlights potential pricing strategies for Valve's handheld gaming PC.
Video game console prices will continue to rise until at least 2029 reveals data
Ongoing semiconductor shortages, exacerbated by high demand for AI infrastructure, are expected to continue driving up video game console prices until at least 2028, according to Samsung. This trend, which has already increased the cost of consoles like the Xbox Series S, could lead to future hardware like the PlayStation 6 costing over £1,000 at launch. Suppliers like Samsung are prioritizing AI data centers, further tightening supply for consumer electronics.
Xbox hardware now costs a lot more in the UK and Europe
Xbox has confirmed significant price increases for its Series S and Series X consoles in the UK and Europe, effective August 1, 2026. Prices have risen by up to 50 percent, with specific costs varying by storage option and region. These hikes are attributed to ongoing component shortages exacerbated by increased investment in AI data centers.
