Xbox isn’t raising the prices of their consoles and games because of tariffs or inflation. They are raising their prices because Nintendo raised THEIR prices. It’s about perceived value.
When you see an Xbox Series X next to a Nintendo Switch 2 on a store shelf, and they’re the same price, you will get the impression that they’re equally valuable. One is big and beefy, and supposedly the “most powerful console”. The other is a Nintendo handheld. See the problem?
Similarly, Microsoft can’t afford to price their first-party games lower than $80 anymore. For the same reason.
It’s already happening. Things are escalating. If a freaking mario kart game is worth $80, then what is an actual nextgen, high fidelity game like GTA VI worth?
We are going to have $100+ games so fast you’re gonna get whiplash.