The gaming console market is going through a difficult period: rising component prices, supply chain issues, and declining sales are creating serious challenges for manufacturers. However, CD Projekt does not believe that traditional consoles are on the verge of extinction.
CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated in a new interview that he is not concerned about the commercial prospects of the console market and believes that these types of devices will continue to exist.
According to the executive, the current generation has proven particularly challenging. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when manufacturers faced component shortages and limited production capabilities. Later, the situation was complicated by increased demand for memory and storage from artificial intelligence infrastructure, which led to an increase in component costs.
Against this backdrop, prices for gaming devices have risen significantly. In particular, the cost of the Xbox Series X has in some cases reached $800, and the PlayStation 5 Pro is selling for $900. At the same time, rumors are emerging about a possible postponement of the next generation of consoles, including the PlayStation 6 and a new Xbox, to avoid a starting price of around $1000 and above.
Nowakowski acknowledges that hardware cost is indeed a serious problem, affecting all major manufacturers — Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. However, he considers consoles an important tool for expanding the audience.
I am a big believer that we will weather this storm.
In his opinion, the simplicity of traditional consoles remains one of their main advantages. Users only need to connect the device to a TV and start playing, which makes consoles particularly attractive to casual and semi-casual audiences.
Nowakowski emphasized that for CD Projekt, the specific platform is less important than the accessibility of its games to players.
Content is king. If the content is right, people will find a way to play it.
CD Projekt intends to continue supporting the platforms that players use. If the audience plays on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Nintendo Switch, the company will try to be present there as well, while also choosing a commercial model that suits both developers and users.