Geoff Keighley hosted a special live episode of Bonus Round following Microsoft's Inside Xbox show yesterday, featuring special guests including GM of Xbox Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg, former Xbox executive Peter Moore and industry analyst Michael Pachter.
Wedbush Securities analyst Pachter weighed in on the next-gen price debate during the show, revealing his prediction that the Xbox Series X might be launched at a cheaper price point than PS5:
"Microsoft's being pretty smart about waiting Sony out here. From what I've seen, Sony's going to have to charge $500 for their PS5, and Microsoft has a big balance sheet - if they want to cut the price by $100, just price below and subsidise the first ten million, they will.
"So, I think that they're waiting to have Sony blink first, and then they'll reveal the price and the launch date. It's going to be holiday, so very likely sometime in November, very likely $400. And fans are going to get a lot from their $400."
The entire show was pretty insightful, featuring discussion about everything from past E3 memories to upcoming Xbox Series X plans, and of course, yesterday's Inside Xbox show itself. If you want to check it out, you can catch the full replay over on Periscope.
Do you think the Xbox Series X will launch at $400? Share your predictions in the comments.
Comments 19
He's also the guy that said the PS3/360 generation was going to be the final one lol. God bless him but I can't for the life of me figure out how he still works at the same place, his prediction record is spotty and that's being generous.
That would be amazing if the series x launched at 399, I highly doubt it though.
Or that’s Lockhart and Series X is more expensive. sighs I dunno rumors are normal but I just want tangible stuff now... Like how much I need to save, how to rearrange my space etc
I'm jumping on board right away if $400 is the price that gets settled on. MS has done a great job with its backwards compatibility program that I could confidently trade in my aging Xbox One, not have to worry about missing my games and get this much better piece of hardware for a more than reasonable price. Even if there aren't any true next-gen exclusives for a while, the upgrade would be worth it.
If the Series X is $400, that would be a mic-drop moment for Microsoft. I doubt it will happen, but it would be awesome if it does.
And it would explain why Sony is not saying squat up to this point. With the Series X being significantly more powerful than the PS5, Microsoft could be in the driver’s seat to start this next generation.
@KelticDevil
Considering the amount of money MS has to play around with I'm not expecting it but also not ruling out the chance of $400 for Series X. All depends what Sony puts PS5 at. I imagine MS wants to undercut whatever it is.
@Gamer83
Exactly. It’s a game of chicken, at this point. Microsoft can afford to take a bigger loss on each console sold more than Sony. And it gets people into the Xbox ecosystem, which has the better services & value.
If XSX is $400, it will be very interesting to see if Sony matches it. And if Xbox can get a great first party lineup going (we’ll see at this point), with some available at/or near launch, even better.
Because to be honest, what Sony first party studios will have a game ready for PS5 in the next year or so? Maybe Horizon: Zero Dawn 2?
We know Naughty Dog & Sucker Punch won’t have games ready for years. God Of War 2 or Spider-Man 2 won’t be ready for a long while (unless they just pump out a quick sequel). Quantic Dream is multi-platform now. Sony fanboys can talk up a Demon’s Souls remaster all they want. But that is 🙄 to me.
Microsoft has an opportunity here to even this race out a bit. Hopefully, they don’t screw it up.
@KelticDevil
Being as invested in the PlayStation brand as I have been, IF Sony really wanted to, it could have 3 games ready. Horizon 2, a new Ratchet & Clank and GT 7 could all be there day one or within the first 6 months. I don't see that happening, but the time between when the last installment for each launched allows for new entries soon. It's possible if MS comes in at a much lower price (and a $100 difference isn't chump change, especially these days), Sony tries to offset by having a couple heavy-hitters ready.
It's going to be interesting. I'll get both systems eventually, it's just a matter of which one first. If MS could get Series X out there at $400 and Halo Infinite turns out to be a return to form for the series, it'd be a no-brainer.
I'd like that, but that seems too low. $450 is far more likely... assuming they wish to undercut Sony, that is. (If not, it'll be $500 tops for sure.)
@Gamer83
I forget about Gran Turismo 7. Racing games are usually big at launches of consoles to show off the power, so that would be good for Sony if they get that done. We can almost guarantee we’ll get Forza Motorsport at XSX launch.
As far as Ratchet & Clank go......does Insomniac have multiple teams? I would assume they are working on Spider-Man 2, at this point, but who knows?
Given the source, I'd take this with a grain of salt. Pachter is the perfect example of someone who just runs his mouth. Then again, that's at least 40% of being an analyst.
I'm skeptical, but if Lockhart comes to market I think most gamers that don't mind 1080p will bite the bullet. If Lockhart doesn't have a disc drive though, that could change things.
@KelticDevil
I don't know how many teams Insomniac has to be honest, but it is a pretty decent size company and has a couple different offices. Its production was pretty good this gen, too. Sunset Overdrive 2014, Ratchet & Clank PS4 2016, Marvel Spider-Man 2018.
I was just speculating, but I don't think it's unreasonable that Insomniac could have another R&C it was working on ready to go for the PS5 launch or not long after, though Spider-Man would be the bigger hit and it probably is more likely that's what is being worked on. Probably a 2021 release. Frankly, Sony's other first party teams could learn a thing or two about proficiency from Insomniac.
That would convince me to get the Xbox first and we already know Halo is a launch game whilst for PS5 we don't know what they have in store for us yet
@Grot
Agree. Been one of my favorites since the PS2 era. Didn't care for the Spyro games, but the Ratchet & Clank series, Resistance 1 and 3, Sunset Overdrive, Spider-Man... All top tier stuff.
@Grot
Surprise hit of the year for me back then. I knew Metroid Prime and Vice City would be good. I was looking for some kind of platformer after Super Mario Sunshine disappointed and settled on R&C. Big fan of the series still today.
@Grot Those ps2 Ratchet and Clanks were really good. I recently played a couple of the ps3 ones and the framerate was so bad I stopped playing them. The ps4 one was alright but just a retread of the older ones. I didn't care about Spiderman so Insomniac isn't really doing it for me anymore.
Pachter is not to be taken seriously. When he is right is just because of luck and random facts that sometimes happen.
I don't think that Series X will be that cheap but if it is then it will be a killer device.
2028 and neither Sony no MS have released a console in over a decade as both wait for the other to admit a price first!
Meanwhile the Switch 3 has just broken records for launch unit sales, though PC gaming remains the largest marketshare
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