Xbox Series X is now £670 in UK as Microsoft sneak price hike out at weekend

It's 6pm on a Saturday evening in the UK, and the Microsoft website has quietly updated its prices for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. The changes are substantial, with the disc-less Xbox Series X jumping from £499.99 to £669.99, a staggering increase of £170. This move has left gamers and enthusiasts alike questioning the affordability of the high-end gaming console, already struggling to find an audience in a crowded market.

The reason cited for the price hike, the 'current component costs crisis', is a phenomenon that has been affecting the gaming industry for months. The shortage of RAM and hard drives, largely driven by the proliferation of AI data centres, has led to a perfect storm of escalating costs for console manufacturers. While Microsoft might not be directly responsible for the crisis, its own business practices have undoubtedly contributed to the problem.

The new prices for the Xbox consoles are a far cry from the affordable gaming experience that many enthusiasts had come to expect. The Xbox Series X, once a flagship product, now seems out of reach for many gamers. The £170 price hike is a significant increase, especially considering the console's already struggling sales. It's clear that Microsoft is attempting to recoup its losses, but at what cost to its customer base?

The timing of the price hike, sneaked out on a weekend afternoon, has sparked outrage among gamers and industry observers. Microsoft's decision to keep the previous prices hidden until the last minute has left a sour taste, especially given the company's already tarnished reputation. The endless layoffs and confusion surrounding multiformat releases have led many to question the company's commitment to its core audience.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Microsoft is still selling the consoles at a loss, even with the latest price increase. This has led to speculation that prices could rise again, leaving gamers in a state of uncertainty. The absence of a grace period to buy the consoles at the previous prices has added to the frustration, with many feeling that they've been caught off guard by the sudden price hike.

• The disc-less Xbox Series X has increased in price by £170, from £499.99 to £669.99.
• The Xbox Series S 512GB has increased in price by £130, from £299.99 to £429.99.
• Microsoft cited the 'current component costs crisis' as the reason for the price hike.
• The company is still selling the consoles at a loss, even with the latest price increase.

As a writer, it's clear that the Xbox price hike is a wake-up call for gamers and industry observers alike. The sudden and significant increase in prices has left a sour taste, and it remains to be seen how Microsoft will recover from this blow. Will the company's decision to prioritize profits over affordability lead to a decline in sales, or will gamers eventually come to accept the new prices?