Xbox dev kits follow consoles and Game Pass with price increase, potentially limiting new games

Xbox gaming has not only become more expensive for consumers. Tom Warren of The Verge reports that Microsoft has hiked the price of Xbox dev kits. With the tools required to develop games for the Xbox Series X|S, buyers could see even fewer new releases on the systems.

The latest news was confirmed in an announcement Microsoft made to developers. Already pricey, the Xbox Development Kit (XDK) now costs $2300, rather than $1500. Once again, the company blames “macroeconomic developments” for the changes, but regions outside of the U.S. are also affected. Besides tariffs, Warren highlights currency fluctuations and higher manufacturing costs as other factors.

Gamers recently saw Xbox price increases on Game Pass and consoles. With the Ultimate tier demanding $29.99 instead of $19.99, the rising subscription fees prompted a flurry of cancellations. Fewer Game Pass subscribers now have access to day-one releases of Xbox games. The situation is just as grim with the $649.99 Xbox Series X, with some retailers no longer stocking the console or the cheaper Series S.

Physical Xbox games are already scarcer

Shoppers have witnessed Xbox games disappearing from major retailers like Target and Walmart. Microsoft has denied reports that shipments to these stores are ending. Even so, it’s become more difficult to convince buyers to invest in a troubled ecosystem. Some analysts have gone so far as to declare Xbox consoles dead. They suggest that Microsoft focus on cross-platform publishing and subscriptions.

Although it’s unlikely to affect major studios, the costlier Xbox dev kits are another hurdle for smaller developers. The critical resources have also caused tensions among some Switch 2 devs. While cost is not the concern, Nintendo reportedly limited the availability of its dev kits to avoid leaks. Some critics blame the company’s restrictions for a smaller selection of third-party games than expected.

To many supporters, it seems Microsoft is doing everything possible to kill off its current consoles. Yet, it insists support for the systems will continue, while revealing new Xbox hardware is in the works.