Consumer Value

Microsoft Is Raising Xbox Prices by 43%. That’s Not a Mistake. It’s a Betrayal.

Microsoft’s 43% Xbox price hike isn’t about inflation or supply chains. It’s a calculated strategy to push hardware customers toward Game Pass and PC gaming, breaking the implicit consumer contract. The console you bought is becoming a liability, and Microsoft is betting you’ll pay more for less. This is the future of monetization—and it’s a betrayal.