Microsoft has confirmed that it will be raising the prices on new, first-party games for Xbox Series X|S consoles in 2023, with Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield to be among the first to reflect the new premium, according to new statements that the company made to IGN:
“This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles,” a Microsoft spokesperson explained to the publication. “As with all games developed by our teams at Xbox, they will also be available with Game Pass the same day they launch.”
Phil Spencer, who leads Microsoft’s Xbox division, teased the possibility of a price increase earlier this year, telling The Wall Street Journal that Microsoft won’t be able to hold off on a price increase for its products forever.
“I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was important to maintain the prices,” Spencer said. “We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games, and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things.”
Starfield, one of Xbox’s most anticipated games, will be released in 2023 following a delay from November 11, 2022.
“Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4,” reads a blurb for the game. “In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.”
Todd Howard revealed in October that Starfield would feature over 200,000 lines of dialog, much more than what can be found in Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Bethesda fans will be able to play Starfield on day one with Xbox Game Pass.