Microsoft raises dollar suggested retail prices for ‘next-gen’ games for all platforms

Microsoft is increasing the suggested retail prices of first-party games, at least in the United States, from $60 to $70 for all platforms from 2023. It is not clear whether such games will also become more expensive in the Benelux.

In a statement mentions Microsoft include Redfall, Starfield, and Forza Motorsport as examples of games that will be $10 more expensive from their respective releases next year. The company says: “We have not yet applied the RRP increase to allow families to enjoy games during the holiday season. From 2023, our full-priced games made for next-gen, such as Forza Motorsport, Redfall and Starfield, will be $70 on all platforms.”

The price increase matches suggested retail prices from other major publishers including Sony, Take-Two Interactive and Ubisoft. Microsoft states, “This award reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles.” Xbox boss Phil Spencer therefore recently warned that a price increase of Microsoft games was ‘inevitable’. The company emphasizes that first-party games will be available via Game Pass immediately after release anyway.

Since the release of the current generation of consoles two years ago, many publishers have already moved to a higher MSRP for major games; usually the price in the Benelux also went from 60 to between 65 and 75 euros, depending on the title. It is therefore very likely that all games that fall under Microsoft’s game branch will now cost 70 euros as standard.