While a $1,200 starting price would be historically high for the game console market, even accounting for inflation, it also reflects a new normal: The slowdown in Moore’s Law and AI-driven component shortages mean cutting-edge gaming hardware just isn’t as cheap as it used to be. This year, the Steam Machine broke the $1,000 starting price, while the 2-year-old technology in the PlayStation 5 Pro is now going for $900, and the 6-year-old Xbox Series X now starts at $750.

It’s super-duper awesome that they were kind enough to pass all the cost down to us.

I project Microsoft can lick my taint. They bought up all the studies, cancelled all the good games, raised prices, forced AI into everything, want to abandon physical media and lock us in to their digital store and have a monopoly on pricing... And they still can't release a console at a reasonable price. 🖕 Microsoft has abandoned gamers, let them suffer when the AI bubble pops.

Targeting Gen X

What I'm looking forward to seeing is how many scalpers that will buy it on the first day.

At that price (which will probably be closer to 2k CAD) I think my console gaming life will be over. It was a good run from NES to now.

Steam deck is looking more and more appealing or just build my own computer again

This whole project seems like a load of hot air to appease investors. It got the spotlight right when Asha took the reigns 7 months ago and even now we know exactly jack shit about it, despite supposedly launching next year. But it's estimated to cost 1200-1800 based on...vibes I guess, because we don't even know what form it will take.

"Xbox is partnering with Klarna..."

If this is the price... Maybe would be nice to have a way to install SteamOS on the console. Or better install any Linux so I can use as a working station and a gaming gig.

AI companies ruin the RAM and video card market, so no one runs 200GB models for free.

This ruins the new-game market on PC and consoles.

AI allows people to spin copies of games

Next up,
All consoles fail
All console makers stop letting people have binaries
Gaming as a service AGAIN

No thanks, going to stick with my gaming PC I got like 4 years ago.

With these sorts told prices being rumoured I’m not sure how viable this next generation is going to be.

Disposable incomes are dwindling, future economic prospects look…uncertain to put it positively. Parents especially sleek unlikely to spend 4 figures on a console when their kids already have phones.

My 7900 xtx must last forever.

If I’m paying that much for a device, I damned well better have root access. I’m done buying machines that big corpos control.

Let me check between my couch cushions...

It's okay by the time its release us regular people won't be allowed to exist.

No thanks I'm good I'm not gamer anymore.

Looks like console gaming is just admitting it's strategy is to soak their shrinking player base for as much as possible before they collapse.

Does it massage my balls as well for that price or....

No discs, no sale.

6 years ago I would have said that was nuts, but 6 years ago I bought 32GB of DDR5 for $100... now the same sticks are $500+, so I feel like this is just the new normal and I'm just going to go back to my retro systems with carts and systems I actually own.

LMAO

Without a disc drive as well. Nah, I'm good

They could charge 12 dollars, I'm still not buying it.