Xbox Series: the price of development kits rises to $2,000

The new costs also affect the studies, with an increase of 33% in the official devkits.

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Recent price hikes in the Xbox Series lineup don’t just affect end consumers. According to journalist Tom Warren from The Verge, Microsoft has increased the price of official Xbox Series development kits, rising from $1,500 to $2,000 per unit. This change will impact both large studios and independent developers who need access to official hardware to create or test their games.

The increase, equivalent to a 33% hike from the previous price, comes amidst global inflation and cost adjustments in the tech industry. Despite this, many development teams have expressed concern over how this new price could hinder experimentation or limit access to professional tools for more modest projects.

Microsoft justifies the price hike due to current economic conditions

According to The Verge, the Redmond-based company has informed studios that the increase “reflects the current macroeconomic situation” and that their goal remains “offering high-quality tools and support” to developers.

The adjustment coincides with 30% tariffs on imports from China, a measure that has increased the cost of producing specialized components and equipment. Nevertheless, the price of Xbox devkits remains competitive compared to other platforms, although this change comes at a delicate time, with critical voices within and outside the industry questioning the current strategy of the Xbox division.