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Phil Spencer hints at future Xbox Game Pass or console price increases at WSJ Live

0neAnd0nly

Member
Everything goes up in price. Congrats on basing your opinion on established marketing trends.

Really?

Costco Hot Dog.

Gas is cheaper today than it was 6 months ago.

Chili’s got rid of 2 for 25 and now has 3 course meal for $12 (starting). Which equates to $24 for 2. Virtually the same thing, but a dollar less,

Computers this Black Friday hitting under $100 more than ever before (courtesy of slick deals).
 

lh032

I cry about Xbox and hate PlayStation.
hes not going to raise the price of the console, but the price of gamepass.
1. The cheaper xbox console helps attract consumers since Sony raised theirs not long ago.
2. Gamepass userbase is happy with the current subscription fees (best deal in gaming for them), so raising the price of gamepass is the smarter way as it will not get as much complain compared to raising price of a console.
 
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Scam sales man favorite words.

“We intend”
“In the future”
“More to come later”
“No plan to raise price”
If you are saying he is lying about raising the price I applaud your consistency.

Also as an aside Phil never said Xbox pricing would never change only that is remaining the same for now. I don't like price increases but at this point I haven't see one from Xbox at least.
 
Really?

Costco Hot Dog.

Gas is cheaper today than it was 6 months ago.

Chili’s got rid of 2 for 25 and now has 3 course meal for $12 (starting). Which equates to $24 for 2. Virtually the same thing, but a dollar less,

Computers this Black Friday hitting under $100 more than ever before (courtesy of slick deals).
Costco knowingly sells the hot dog & soda at a loss because it brings in customers that will likely spend more money. Black Friday deals are not a good marker since most models to Black Friday are specific to the event, are cheap because they cut costs in areas you won't notice on the spec sheet, but are generally a poorer value than if you bought a normal model @ a normal price.
 

GHG

Member
The statement "I do think at some point we'll have to raise the prices on certain things"is so vague, I'm not sure how you could make more of it than that. All I see is him avoiding making any definitive statements regarding the fluctuating currency rates, obviously there is a limit on what they would be willing to absorb, though it is obviously a higher limit than Sony's.

Where was anything regarding currencies mentioned by him?
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
literally never seen even the most obvious die hard(s) claim there would be no price increase lol
Find the old thread about Sony increasing the price of PS5. Every region got nailed around 5-10% but interestingly the US price is status quo. You got every answer from inflation to currency effects to "it's a business decision" kinds of responses from defenders. Many if the usual brand fans even avoided the thread because they know deep down it's a slap in the back of the head but they dont want to say that because it looks like they are going against their brand on a forum (which would be a sign of weakness).

They already know the answers.

If MS raises prices down the road, all they got to do is sub in MS for Sony for the exact same answers they did months ago.
 

Jormatar

Member
I can't wait to subscribe for 30 euros/month to play next Elder Scrolls that will take me 2 months to complete!
 

0neAnd0nly

Member
Costco knowingly sells the hot dog & soda at a loss because it brings in customers that will likely spend more money. Black Friday deals are not a good marker since most models to Black Friday are specific to the event, are cheap because they cut costs in areas you won't notice on the spec sheet, but are generally a poorer value than if you bought a normal model @ a normal price.

You dodged Chili’s conveniently.

An American treasure.

And I didn’t ask for reasons. You said “everything”.

❤️
 
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spons

Gold Member
I ditched Netflix when they raised the prices of their subs and just went to different services. Gaming doesn't have that luxury. Game Pass is the only service in its class. They can raise the prices by 5 to 8 bucks and people would still sub, as would I. Doubling that shit would sound excessive though.
 

DaGwaphics

Member
Where was anything regarding currencies mentioned by him?

I haven't seen the context of the quote, it's said in a way where it sounds like it is a response to a question in an interview or something like that. People have been asking them about Xbox price increases since Sony announced theirs, MS has been giving these same kind of open-ended answers in several interviews. Not now, but can never say never, or they are always evaluating and so on.
 

GHG

Member
I haven't seen the context of the quote, it's said in a way where it sounds like it is a response to a question in an interview or something like that. People have been asking them about Xbox price increases since Sony announced theirs, MS has been giving these same kind of open-ended answers in several interviews. Not now, but can never say never, or they are always evaluating and so on.

So you're guessing making assumptions in an attempt to make a point?

Hate to see it but par for the course these days. Wish I could say I was surprised.

Come back to me when you can make factual arguments.
 

DaGwaphics

Member
So you're guessing making assumptions in an attempt to make a point?

Hate to see it but par for the course these days. Wish I could say I was surprised.

Come back to me when you can make factual arguments.

That's probably the single dumbest thing I've seen typed on here, and that's saying something.

Please provide a source with the full context of the quote including the leading question by the interviewer and we can judge from that. Otherwise, everyone discussing this is just making assumptions, LOL.

Based on the audio posted by Warren, I have this strange idea that he got asked point blank about a price increase (games, GP, consoles) in the context of current consumer uncertainty and this was the vague non-answer he went with. I highly doubt this was something he just put out there to make a statement of some kind. IMO this was him attempting to not make a statement. We are still allowed to have opinions on here right?
 
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adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Prices are up everywhere just don't go overboard on how much higher you make Game Pass and it will be fine.

Yep.

Or. Heck. If you want to increase, retain ad-supported versions of current models. I don't mind a couple of ads on my dashboard if it means the price remains consistent.


:messenger_beaming:
 

GHG

Member
That's probably the single dumbest thing I've seen typed on here, and that's saying something.

Please provide a source with the full context of the quote including the leading question by the interviewer and we can judge from that. Otherwise, everyone discussing this is just making assumptions, LOL.

I have this strange idea that he got asked point blank about a price increase (games, GP, consoles) and this was the vague non-answer he went with. I highly doubt this was something he just put out there to make a statement of some kind. IMO this was him attempting to not make a statement. We are still allowed to have opinions on here right?

Again you are talking about "ideas". You are guessing.

You are the one making assumptions here, not me, therefore the onus is on you to provide a source.

There is a big difference between having an opinion and straight up making things up in vapid attempts to make a point. To remind you, this is what you said:

All I see is him avoiding making any definitive statements regarding the fluctuating currency rates, obviously there is a limit on what they would be willing to absorb, though it is obviously a higher limit than Sony's.

There is no reference to him talking about currency rates, no reference to him talking about "absorbing" anything.

You are making an assumption that when they increase the price their reasoning will be the same as Sony's.

Hint: currency fluctuations aren't the only reason companies choose to raise prices.

Come back to me when you have the capacity to discuss this on a factual basis.
 

DaGwaphics

Member
Again, I'm just listening to the audio where the quote came from where I don't have the leading question or the exact context that triggered this response. So I gave my opinion on "all I see" the quote representing. He directly mentions consumer uncertainty in regards to something the interviewer said (thus leading me to think that the interviewer mentioned price increases in some way, either games going to $70 or Sony's console increase, or inflation) along with the fact this is the WSJ, so that is what I base my opinion of the statement on. When people use expressions like "what I see", "all I see", "what I'm hearing", etc. that is clearly someone making a personal judgement. You might want to take that into consideration before making an ass of yourself in the future.
 
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GHG

Member
Again, I'm just listening to the audio where the quote came from where I don't have the leading question or the exact context that triggered this response. So I gave my opinion on "what I see" the quote representing. He directly mentions consumer uncertainty in regards to something the interviewer said, so that is what I base my opinion of the statement on. When people use expressions like "what I see", "all I see", "what I'm hearing", etc. that is clearly someone making a personal judgement. You might want to take that into consideration before making an ass of yourself in the future.

Just a tip, none of those expressions give someone leeway to make things up. All of those statements imply something was in fact seen or heard, so there would be some basis for your statements that follow (something to refer back to). By your own admission you have neither heard or seen anything.

If you are being completely speculative (which is was you are) then you should clearly state so.
 

Three

Member
As someone else mentioned if Phil 'lies' why is this news in particular believed but not the profitability of Game pass? Curious.
So you think he is lying about future price increases?

bold-commentary.gif


Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:

But of course it is your right to fear something that hasn't happened.

I fear some things too. I fear successful game companies becoming arrogant. I fear console prices and games will keep increasing in price making a fantastic hobby more out of reach of regular people limiting its reach.

I can even see mainstream consoles going up in price in the middle of a console cycle instead of the traditional downward direction. I fear upgrade fees, poor customer service, and being charged for things that should be free.

Hopefully competition in this industry stays strong and serves as a check on companies forgetting to remember that the gamers that are the reason they are successful in the first place.

The platform, tech and even the monetization have all been pretty good from MS. Of course many here ignore that MS hasn't raised prices on their games, charged upgrade fees for games, or raised prices for their hardware. They were the only platform to even offer a platform for gamers who were more budget focused. It seems like they have been quite focused on games and gamers too. Compare how MS handled the planned price hike with XLG and price hikes and fees elsewhere.

Laugh all you want but they did get publisher of the year in 2021 and while this year suffered several delays, delayed games tend to get released eventually. When that happens we'll see if MS skipped the game development step. If they are skipping that step why delay the games at all? Halo Infinite seems to be a more isolated case and it will be interesting to see what the game looks like after November and March updates.

What I am concerned about is higher console and game prices. Who has risen both of these recently? MS? When game quality goes down and prices go up on Game pass then people can complain but right now neither of those things are happening so all the concern is unsubstantiated.

I do like that MS has not increased prices of their console or games and there is no evidence that their game quality is falling so maybe they are the only ones who can do it.

It is interesting to see complaints about what MS could potentially do like raising prices on games and consoles or only selling digital software on their own stores yet these things have already happened elsewhere and people seem to be totally fine with it.

Consumer protection != Sony market position protection. Hopefully CMA will move away from Sony talking points and to actual real issues. I really appreciate the thorough review CADE did. They directly addressed Sony's concerns.

In this case Sony's market position is one of the reasons they felt comfortable raising the prices on consumers. All the more reason to get more competition in this space.

Then you'll be happy to know that MS has said repeatedly that CoD wasn't being taken off of PlayStation. They'll honor contracts and offer additional time afterwards. Doesn't change the fact that some movement is needed currently because no console maker should be raising prices on customers. Competition is good for the industry.

I'm glad MS has increased their number of studios. It will ensure that there is plenty of new content for their platform. I appreciate they won't be increasing the price of their games and systems as well.

Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.
 
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Klayzer

Member
So you think he is lying about future price increases?

bold-commentary.gif


Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:

















Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.
KbHV5rC.gif
 

GHG

Member
So you think he is lying about future price increases?

bold-commentary.gif


Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:

















Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.

Fuck me those quotes.

Frustrated World Cup GIF
 
So much for “good guy” Microsoft. I had a strong feeling that we would see a price increase on their end as well. These companies aren’t your friends. Well, if this is legitimate, here you go. Is Nintendo next?
 
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Jaybe

Member
Who wants to bet that Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport will be priced at $70 USD for their regular editions?
 

Jaybe

Member
Nah. I don't think any game already with a defined window will have the $70 tag.
Possibly. I could see it though as they don’t have pre-orders up yet and the stank of Sony and 2K doing it will have subsided by early 2023. Plus in a sense it can add even more perceived value to Game Pass when these $70 games are available day 1.
 

poppabk

Cheeks Spread for Digital Only Future
So you're guessing making assumptions in an attempt to make a point?

Hate to see it but par for the course these days. Wish I could say I was surprised.

Come back to me when you can make factual arguments.
There are no facts to discuss?
-We don't know if there are plans to raise prices.
-We don't know what they would raise prices on if there were plans.
-We don't know how much they would raise prices.
-We don't know where they would raise prices.
-We don't know when they would raise prices.
What the fuck can we factually discuss?
 

GHG

Member
There are no facts to discuss?
-We don't know if there are plans to raise prices.
-We don't know what they would raise prices on if there were plans.
-We don't know how much they would raise prices.
-We don't know where they would raise prices.
-We don't know when they would raise prices.
What the fuck can we factually discuss?

I'm referring to what question Phil was asked to determine what his response was in reference to. The posted I quoted stated it was in reference to him being asked about currencies, that is factually not true, we have nothing to determine whether or not that was the case.

The whole basis of my discussions with that poster are centered around that. Not sure why you're feeling the need to get involved mid-conversion and raise those questions when they haven't mentioned or relevant to the thread of conversation you've waded in on.
 
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CatLady

Selfishly plays on Xbox Purr-ies X
So you think he is lying about future price increases?

bold-commentary.gif


Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:

















Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.

I see you quoted a lot of good points DarkMage619 DarkMage619 brought up, but I didn't see the quote where he accuses Spencer of lying. Maybe I missed it.
 
But I thought only Sony raises prices and are anti-consumer because they've adjusted to inflation
And if you can find me making a dumb argument like then you're free to quote it. I've certainly criticized their paid next-gen patches, but I've never once called them 'anti-consumer' over it.

If anybody ever thought GPU would stay $15 in perpetuity then I don't know what to tell them. Just like Sony, MS is a corporation seeking to maximize profits.
 

NickFire

Member
I‘ve long expected GP to go up in price once the content starts flowing. It was obvious because content acquisition and content development costs are insane for big games nowadays. And there’s still marketing costs, plus the money coming in is paying for access to older games on the service (not just most recent aaa game). The way big profits are still front loaded on games makes price increases virtually mandatory at a company this size. They exist for shareholders after all.

Real questions are how much, how fast, and how implemented? I would look towards internet cable price increase histories if I was trying to make an educated guess on speed and amount. Both industries pay big money for content, and development / marketing costs are high too. Both make leaving a potential nuisance after they get you in (cable requires hardware reinstalls, and leaving game sub means you have lost your library). Biggest differences (I think) are TV has a broader potential audience (content acquisition possibly more expensive title to title), and big games probably take longer to make for a motivated creator.

How implemented is a real wild card. They will honor purchased subs. But will they follow the companies that have added tiers to their subs, like Peacock, or even Sony PS+ ? They could make some easy short term money with tiers starting in 2023.
 

CatLady

Selfishly plays on Xbox Purr-ies X
The quoted posts are not in reference to that, they are a separate point.

As for "good points"...

this is why you fail star wars GIF

Whether you or Yoda think his points are good or not is irrelevant. T Three makes 2 references suggesting DarkMage619 DarkMage619 is thinks Phil Spencer is lying, then lists a ton of quotes from him but nothing indicating DarkMage619 DarkMage619 believes Spencer is lying. It seems like maybe that post was disingenuous and arguing in bad faith.
 

GHG

Member
Whether you or Yoda think his points are good or not is irrelevant. T Three makes 2 references suggesting DarkMage619 DarkMage619 is thinks Phil Spencer is lying, then lists a ton of quotes from him but nothing indicating DarkMage619 DarkMage619 believes Spencer is lying. It seems like maybe that post was disingenuous and arguing in bad faith.

For goodness sake, read.

Separate point:

Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:

Sarcasm:

Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.

It's really not that complicated.
 

bender

What time is it?
I‘ve long expected GP to go up in price once the content starts flowing. It was obvious because content acquisition and content development costs are insane for big games nowadays. And there’s still marketing costs, plus the money coming in is paying for access to older games on the service (not just most recent aaa game). The way big profits are still front loaded on games makes price increases virtually mandatory at a company this size. They exist for shareholders after all.

Real questions are how much, how fast, and how implemented? I would look towards internet cable price increase histories if I was trying to make an educated guess on speed and amount. Both industries pay big money for content, and development / marketing costs are high too. Both make leaving a potential nuisance after they get you in (cable requires hardware reinstalls, and leaving game sub means you have lost your library). Biggest differences (I think) are TV has a broader potential audience (content acquisition possibly more expensive title to title), and big games probably take longer to make for a motivated creator.

How implemented is a real wild card. They will honor purchased subs. But will they follow the companies that have added tiers to their subs, like Peacock, or even Sony PS+ ? They could make some easy short term money with tiers starting in 2023.

Demographics of subscribers would be interesting. I've always said that GPU would have been a godsend when I was a kid but I wouldn't be surprised if the average teenager was far more invested in F2P. I still don't think they'd go over $19.99 a month any time soon and if it does increase in price, I don't expect that big of an increase as the first jump. Your last point is interesting and they could do something like keeping the price the same while detaching the included EA Play subscription and offering it as a discounted addon.
 
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DaGwaphics

Member
Just a tip, none of those expressions give someone leeway to make things up. All of those statements imply something was in fact seen or heard, so there would be some basis for your statements that follow (something to refer back to). By your own admission you have neither heard or seen anything.

If you are being completely speculative (which is was you are) then you should clearly state so.

Possibly there are some cultural differences between us. In the states, it isn't uncommon for people to use phrases like "what I see" or "from what I see" or "how I see it" to express personal opinions or beliefs based on a situation or something seen or heard. I read the quote and listened to the audio and then stated my opinion of what I was seeing in that quote. You are free to see something different in it. To me him mentioning that they had held their console pricing was a reference to Sony's increase (why would you even be mentioning that otherwise, it's not something that regularly happens).

"All I see" in particular is generally used to begin expressing a contrary opinion to that held by someone you are having a conversation with about something seen, heard or read. Person A says "look at that hoodlum on the street, he's up to no good", person B says "all I see is someone standing on the street".

At any rate, I shouldn't have responded in an incendiary way with the line about the dumbest comment. That was a dumb comment by me there, we clearly just see things differently here.
 
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I mean the Game Pass catalog is going to start including every COD and Activision/Blizzard game Day 1 as well as their massive back catalog. It was pretty obvious with such a monumental value add to Game Pass that there would be a price increase at some point
 
So you think he is lying about future price increases?

bold-commentary.gif


Not sure where this 'lying Phil' strawman is going but I just wanted to hear your take about these possible price increases seeing as it's your worst fear and you haven't been able to shut up about it in unrelated threads ever since somebody else did it:
I think some people believe Phil is lying if it is positive Xbox news and telling the truth if it is potentially negative. I have no idea what other nonsense you are talking about.
Would have thought you would be pretty upset hearing this news from Spencer but apparently he's just an honest dude who's lying about future price increases.
On one hand we have a fear of a possible, maybe, vague potential of a price increase on possibly a service or console or accessory. On the other hand we have actual real price increases on consoles and games. I'm sure I know which one you are far more concerned about but I tend to focus on reality over possibilities. Talk when the Xbox price increases are real and not imaginary.
Whether you or Yoda think his points are good or not is irrelevant. T Three makes 2 references suggesting DarkMage619 DarkMage619 is thinks Phil Spencer is lying, then lists a ton of quotes from him but nothing indicating DarkMage619 DarkMage619 believes Spencer is lying. It seems like maybe that post was disingenuous and arguing in bad faith.
People try so hard for a gotcha and it just ends up being a self own. It is what it is.
 

Three

Member
Whether you or Yoda think his points are good or not is irrelevant. T Three makes 2 references suggesting DarkMage619 DarkMage619 is thinks Phil Spencer is lying, then lists a ton of quotes from him but nothing indicating DarkMage619 DarkMage619 believes Spencer is lying. It seems like maybe that post was disingenuous and arguing in bad faith.
So why is he bringing it up? He is essentially saying "why are you believing him now" in his post. A wierd thing to say because why would he lie about price hikes, not to mention it's a complete strawman because I've not said anything about not believing him about profitability.
 
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