Pricing
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PS5, Xbox, And Switch 2: Here’s How Their Prices Have Changed Since Launch
Console prices have significantly increased across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch models due to global economic factors and component shortages. By mid-2026, prices for many consoles have risen by hundreds of dollars, with the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X nearing $1,000. Companies are also exploring further monetization strategies for software and services.
IGN Poll Reveals 70% Plan to Buy the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition Over the Standard Edition, Which Begs the Question: Is GTA 6 Effectively the First $100 Video Game?
A recent IGN poll indicated that 70% of respondents plan to purchase the $100 Ultimate Edition of Grand Theft Auto 6 over the $80 Standard Edition. This trend raises questions about the increasing price point of video games and whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will effectively be the first $100 title.
The Morning After: Prices rocket up on Xboxes, MacBooks, iPads and more
Microsoft and Apple have implemented significant price increases on their products, including Xbox consoles, MacBooks, and iPads. This marks a notable shift in pricing strategy from these major technology companies.
Steam Machine sticker shock, even more Ubisoft layoffs, and another Xbox price hike - Patch Notes #58
This week's gaming news highlights include the high pricing of the Steam Machine starting at $1,049, Ubisoft laying off 93 employees and closing studios, and Microsoft increasing Xbox console prices again. Grand Theft Auto 6 will retail for $79.99, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has surpassed 6 million sales. Tencent is reportedly considering exiting some Japanese studios.
Xbox höjer priserna på samtliga Series-konsoler
Xbox has announced price increases for all Xbox Series X and Series S models, excluding the 2TB Xbox Series X model which will be discontinued. The new prices will take effect on August 1st, with the Xbox Series S 512GB increasing from $399 to $499, and the Xbox Series X 1TB increasing from $649 to $799. Xbox cited rising component costs as the reason for the price hike.
Xbox Is Raising The Price Of Its Consoles Again, While Also Announcing New Ways To Buy Them
Microsoft is increasing the prices of its Xbox consoles starting August 1st due to rising storage costs and ongoing losses. The company is also introducing new purchasing options to help consumers manage the price hikes.
Steam Machine – Everything You Need to Know Before You Purchase
Valve's Steam Machine is launching with high price points, ranging from $1,049 for a 512GB model to $1,428 for a 2TB version with a controller, due to increased RAM and storage costs. Performance is comparable to the PlayStation 5, targeting 1080p or 1440p for demanding games, with potential for future improvements like FSR 4 support.
Xbox Series X/S to get second price increase in less than a year
Microsoft is increasing the prices of the Xbox Series S by $100 USD and the Xbox Series X by $150 USD, effective August 1st, 2026, due to a global memory shortage driven by AI data center demand. The company is also discontinuing the 2TB Xbox Series X model. This follows a previous price hike in October and comes amid reports of studio closures and other gaming systems, like Valve's Steam Machine, also facing increased component costs.
Xbox Series S, The “Cheap” Option, Now Costs As Much As Series X Did Six Years Ago
The Xbox Series S, initially launched at $300, will increase to $500 on August 1, matching the original launch price of the Xbox Series X. This price hike, attributed to AI-driven chip shortages and Microsoft's role in AI product proliferation, marks a significant departure from historical console pricing trends. The move makes the once budget-friendly option considerably more expensive for consumers looking for affordable next-generation gaming.
Microsoft significantly increases Xbox prices worldwide and withdraws 2TB model citing "components crisis"
Microsoft is significantly increasing the prices of its Xbox consoles worldwide starting August 2, citing a "components crisis" that has driven up the cost of storage and memory. The 512GB and 1TB models of the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X will see price hikes of $100 and $150 respectively, while the 2TB model will be discontinued. The company also highlighted programs to make consoles more accessible, such as financing options and refurbished units.
Is GTA 6 too expensive? We asked, and lots of you said 'Rockstar just lost a sale' — but a surprising number of people are willing to buy it anyway
A significant portion of TechRadar readers find the $79.99 standard edition price for Grand Theft Auto 6 to be too high, with 59% expressing this concern. While many of these respondents stated they would not purchase the game due to the cost, a notable number indicated they would still buy it. Conversely, 41% of polled readers are ready to purchase the game at launch without reservation.
Will You Buy the $80 GTA 6 Standard Edition or $100 Ultimate Edition?
Following the reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6's preorder details, players are discussing the pricing difference between the $80 Standard Edition and the $100 Ultimate Edition. This decision point highlights consumer choices regarding game editions and their associated costs.
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are live – £70 / $80 / €80 regional pricing confirmed
Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 are now live, confirming regional pricing at £69.99 GBP / $79.99 USD / €79.99 EUR for the Standard Edition and higher for the Ultimate Edition. The game will launch on November 19th, with pre-loads available from November 12th. Physical copies will be download codes in a box, and all pre-orders receive a bonus Vintage Vice City bundle.
GTA 6 PSN Prices Revealed, With Indonesia Offering the Cheapest Option
Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStation Store have revealed the official digital prices for the Standard and Ultimate Editions across various regions. Indonesia currently offers the lowest prices, with the Standard Edition costing approximately ₱4,070 and the Ultimate Edition around ₱5,096, significantly less than US and Singaporean pricing.
Op Ed
This opinion piece discusses the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to set a new $80 price standard for AAA games. It also explores whether publishers might increasingly move away from physical releases in favor of digital distribution.
GTA 6 pre-orders open now in UK - standard and ultimate edition prices confirmed
Rockstar Games has opened pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6, confirming the standard edition will cost £69.99 and the Ultimate Edition £89.99 in the UK. The game is set for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with pre-orders including a month of GTA+ and the Vintage Vice City Pack. The Ultimate Edition offers additional in-game content such as vehicles, customization options, and exclusive businesses.
GTA 6's preorders mark the start of a long wait for it to come to PC, despite the fact we'll likely make up…
Grand Theft Auto 6's preorder availability highlights the long wait for its PC release, a decision criticized by PC Gamer staff. Despite PC's significant market share, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive continue to prioritize console launches, with CEO Strauss Zelnick citing the need to serve the 'core' audience. This approach, coupled with pricing strategies and potential limitations on modding, leaves PC players feeling excluded.
$949 Steam Deck OLED is just the expensive beginning – MSI marketing lead warns there's "much room for another price hike" in handheld consoles
MSI product marketing lead Andy Chu predicts further price increases for handheld gaming consoles, citing the expensive Steam Deck OLED and the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ as examples. He suggests the market has room for more price hikes, while hardware editors advocate for purchasing refurbished or open-box units to combat inflation.
Grand Theft Auto VI To Cost $80 And Has No Disc
Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at a new $80 price point for its base edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Physical copies will not include discs, instead featuring a download code, with pre-orders beginning June 25th and the game releasing on November 19th. An Ultimate Edition will be available for $100, and the game is currently confirmed as a single-player experience, with a potential GTA Online release to follow later.
GTA 6 sales predictions: how many copies will Rockstar sell at $80?
Industry analysts are predicting that Grand Theft Auto 6 will sell between 30 to 60 million copies in its first year, with sales figures influenced by its $79.99 price point. Some analysts suggest sales could reach 38 million units, while others foresee a 'blow out' scenario exceeding 50 million. The game's success is also tied to the PlayStation 5 install base and potential hardware bundles.
