Core Insights - Microsoft has significantly increased the price of its Xbox development kit (XDK) from $1,500 to $2,000, marking a 33% increase [3] - This price hike follows a previous increase in the price of the Xbox Series X console, which has risen by $150 over the past six months [3] - The price increases are attributed to changes in the macroeconomic environment, affecting developers not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and other regions due to factors like currency fluctuations and production costs [3] Group 1 - The Xbox development kit is equipped with advanced hardware, including 40GB of GDDR6 memory, which is significantly more than the 16GB in the Xbox Series X console [3] - The development kit features additional computing units, onboard debugging tools, three USB ports, a front panel display, and five programmable buttons [3] - Microsoft also raised the price of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription by 50% just weeks prior to the development kit price increase, indicating a broader strategy to manage costs amid changing economic conditions [4]

Core Insights - Microsoft has announced a significant 50% price increase for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, raising the monthly fee from $20 to $30 in the US, with some regions experiencing even higher increases [4][6]. - The price hikes have raised concerns about the perceived value of the subscription, especially given that the price has doubled from $15 to $30 within a short period [6][10]. - The company claims that the additions to the Game Pass Ultimate, including more games and additional subscription services, justify the price increase, but skepticism remains among users regarding the actual value received [7][8]. Pricing Strategy - The recent price increase is part of a broader trend where Microsoft has raised prices on various hardware and subscription services, leading to questions about the sustainability of its Xbox ecosystem [4][10]. - The price of Xbox Game Pass has seen a series of increases since July 2023, moving from $15 to $17, then to $20, and now to $30, indicating a rapid escalation in costs for consumers [6][9]. Consumer Sentiment - There is a growing sentiment among consumers that the Xbox brand lacks direction and that the recent price hikes may drive players away from the ecosystem [8][10]. - Users are increasingly considering alternatives, such as PC gaming or other consoles like the PS5, due to the perceived decline in value and the rising costs associated with Xbox products [9][10].

来源：环球网 【环球网科技综合报道】10月2日消息，据外媒engadget报道称，微软宣布对 Xbox Game Pass 阵容进行 大规模调整：顶级套餐 Game Pass Ultimate 即日起提价 50%，上调至 30 美元/月，年费对应 360 美元； 同时新增 45 款游戏，并正式整合 Ubisoft+ 订阅内容与 Fortnite Crew 福利，以强化高价位价值叙事。 据了解，本次调价距离上次（2024 年 7 月）仅 15 个月，期间 Ultimate 费用已上涨 76% 新价格系单月计费，不提供年付或季付折扣选项，360 美元年费约为竞品 PlayStation Plus Premium（160 美元）的2.25 倍。 Xbox 业务负责人菲尔·斯宾塞表示："我们希望为高端玩家提供整合式价值——一次订阅即可畅玩育碧 新作、获得 Fortnite 额外货币并第一时间体验 Xbox 第一方大作。"微软承认涨价幅度显著，但强调新增 内容零售价已超 35 美元/月，"对多平台、多品类玩家而言整体更划算。" 消息公布后，社交媒体出现"取消订阅"教程刷屏，部分用户担忧连续涨价趋势。分析机构 Omdia ...

Microsoft is raising the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription price by 50% to $29.99 per month, effective immediately, the company announced Wednesday.The $10 spike comes with a slew of changes to all its Game Pass plans, though its Essential and Premium plans will remain the same price. The Game Pass Core tier will no longer exist and instead will be rolled into the Essential tier, while Standard subscribers will move to the Premium tier."As we continue to evolve Xbox Game Pass, we're focused on delivering ...