Microsoft has raised prices on the Xbox Series S|X for the second time this year, sparking a wave of discontent among fans. They doubt that the price increase is solely due to tariffs and believe that the company may be gradually withdrawing from the gaming console market.
Since their launch in 2020, both models have sold approximately 30 million units. The latest price increase set the cost of the Xbox Series S at $400 and the Series X at $650. Many fans see this as a strategic move to wind down the "hardware" division.
The Xbox division is showing successful performance, but the cost of "hardware" continues to rise. On X, users expressed dissatisfaction and are confident that Microsoft is seeking to maximize profit from each console sold, given the decline in sales.
Journalist Ryan McCaffrey noted that it would be easier for the company to completely abandon console production, comparing the current state of Xbox to Sega's situation before leaving the market.
Many fans believe that Microsoft is using the economic situation as an excuse to gradually exit the console segment. Despite the fact that the company has announced another generation of Xbox, the prospects for "hardware" remain unclear.
