Hardware Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Pricing.
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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.
It's not just the US: Xbox Series S is now more expensive than a Switch 2 in the UK and Europe, but probably not…
Microsoft has implemented price increases for its Xbox consoles in the UK and Europe, making the Xbox Series S more expensive than the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The Xbox Series S now starts at £519.99 / €599.99 for the 1TB model and £429.99 / €499.99 for the 512GB model, while the Switch 2 will launch at £469.99 / €469.99. Nintendo also plans to increase Switch 2 prices soon.
'Nobody was buying them so it doesn't really matter' — Xbox console price hike hits the UK
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases for its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles in the UK, with the Xbox Series S now costing £429.99 and the Xbox Series X £669.99. These hikes follow similar increases by Sony for the PlayStation 5 and are attributed to rising component costs, particularly RAM, and global economic pressures. The price changes have been met with strong negative reactions from consumers and have led to discussions about the declining sales of Xbox consoles.
Xbox UK and Europe console price hikes revealed - and it's even worse than we expected
Xbox has implemented significant price increases for its consoles in the UK and Europe, with the Xbox Series X now costing up to 34% more and the Xbox Series S up to 48.5% more. These hikes are attributed to memory shortages and follow a recent 10% drop in Xbox's content and services revenue and a wave of layoffs across the division.
Xbox Series X is now £670 in UK as Microsoft sneak price hike out at weekend
Microsoft has implemented significant price increases for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in the UK, with the Xbox Series X now costing £669.99 and the Xbox Series S starting at £429.99. These hikes, attributed to component costs, come at a time when Xbox console sales are reportedly low and follow similar price adjustments for the PlayStation 5 and anticipated increases for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Something for the Weekend – 01/08/26
This week's gaming news includes Sony's cautious approach to physical media, Nvidia's reported graphics card price increase, and Double Fine regaining independence with layoffs. New game announcements include Thimbleweed Park 2 and a Croc 2 remaster, with Crazy Taxi: World Tour and Marathon's PvE mode receiving updates. PlayStation Plus August 2026 Essential games were revealed, and Xbox Network experienced downtime due to a licensing service issue.
Switch 2 Price Jumps to $499 on September 1: Buy Now or Wait?
Nintendo has announced that the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US on September 1. This price hike is attributed to rising memory chip costs, tariffs, and exchange rates. Additionally, the "Choose Your Game" bundle will be discontinued on the same date, meaning the $499.99 price will only include the console itself.
Xbox Series X/S Consoles Are Still Sold at a Loss Even After Price Hikes – Rumor
Despite price increases, Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles are reportedly still sold at a loss of around $150 each, a situation expected to continue even after future price hikes. This financial strain may impact the pricing strategy for the upcoming 'Project Helix' console, which is rumored to be an open platform with a high price point due to reliance on hardware revenue. Reports also indicate that Xbox Ally users primarily subscribe to Game Pass rather than purchasing games directly, highlighting the dominance of platforms like Steam in the handheld market.
Amazon Gaming boss says high hardware prices could be good news for its Luna cloud gaming program
Amazon Gaming boss Jeffrey Gattis believes that high hardware prices could benefit Amazon's cloud gaming service, Luna. He suggests that as consoles and PCs become more expensive, more consumers may consider cloud gaming solutions. Gattis also noted that Amazon has a clearer gaming strategy now, focusing on reaching players who might be priced out of traditional hardware.
Amazon Luna boss thinks rising hardware prices could push more hardcore gamers to cloud gaming — 'You're going to see more people that are priced out of the market'
Amazon's gaming boss Jeff Gattis believes rising hardware prices for consoles and PCs could drive more core gamers towards cloud streaming services like Amazon Luna. He noted that current hardware costs, potentially reaching $1,000-$1,500, could price consumers out of the market. While not Amazon's primary strategy, Gattis sees this trend as a potential tailwind for cloud gaming adoption.
Evening Tech Bits
AMD is reportedly pricing its Helios Rack 40% higher than NVIDIA's second-generation Rubin, with confidence in customer willingness to pay a premium. The article also notes a changelog for Oracle VirtualBox version 7.2.
PC players can get our favorite controller for $50 less than PS5 and Xbox gamers right now
The Victrix Pro BFG controller, considered a top choice for PC gaming, is currently available for $50 less than its PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X counterparts. This discount is attributed to the PC version not requiring expensive official licensing, unlike the console editions. While the console versions are cross-compatible with PC, the PC-specific model is locked to PC gaming.
