Microsoft Won't Be Raising Console Prices For Now

Yesterday, Sony announced that it is going to raise the recommended retail price of PlayStation 5 in a number of regions, including the UK, Canada, Japan, China, Mexico, and more.

In a PlayStation blog, the company revealed that the PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive as well as PS5 Digital Edition will see a ~$50 price increase in numerous markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Canada attributing this change to "high global inflation rates" and "adverse currency trends."

Following this announcement, many wondered if Microsoft, whose Xbox Series X|S is a primary competitor to Sony's PlayStation 5, would take similar steps. Earlier, Ampere Analysis's Piers Harding-Rolls noted that it is unlikely that Microsoft will also raise prices for its Xbox consoles to offset rising background costs. Soon after Sony broke this news, Microsoft confirmed that it has no plans to follow this move.

In a statement to Windows Central, the company said that it currently doesn't plan to raise the price of the Xbox Series X or the Xbox Series S adding that the suggested retail price of the Series S will remain at $299 and the Series X will remain at $499. The prices of the consoles will also remain at their baseline in various currencies including GBP and EUR.

"We are constantly evaluating our business to offer our fans great gaming options. Our Xbox Series S suggested retail price remains at $299 (£250, €300) the Xbox Series X is $499 (£450, €500)," Microsoft said.

While Microsoft's statement does not rule out that the price will not be increased at some point, at least it is a good sign that the company has no intentions to do so in the short term. And as Piers Harding-Rolls wrote earlier, Microsoft will likely first want to "take advantage of Sony’s increase to push its 'value' message, especially around the Xbox Series S, Game Pass and All Access offer" before making similar moves.

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