“Unprecedented” is a really good word to describe the current console generation. While there have certainly been many great games released since the debut of PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, they haven’t made the same kind of difference that past hardware has, which many have found disappointing to say the least. Even more so the series of first-of-their-kind decisions and situations that have been the bane of the generation so far, the recent rash of insane price increases being foremost among them.

To get right into it, Xbox products are being removed from Costco stores following Microsoft’s decision to raise prices a Second time. According to CBR.com, Costco hasn’t commented on why this decision was made, so it could be any thing from a failu to make an acceptable deal with Microsoft to just not being confident that the products will sell. Costco is a massive business after all, so I think it’d be a mistake to think that it’s doing this simply to take a stand.

CBR’s writer was quick to blame tariffs for this, forgetting that we already got the price increase that was supposed to be in response to those. They could still be a factor, sure, but I think there’s more to it. Practically every decision Xbox has made this generation has been the decision of a platform holder that is no longer confident in its platform, specifically the hardware.

Not only has Xbox been pushing adoption of Game Pass on PC, but it’s slowly releasing its grip on former exclusives. Gears of War on PS5 is hard Proof of this All these price increases are further evidence; it’s as if they’re just trying to make back as much as they can on their remaining stock before they transition fully into a pure publisher role just like SEGA did in the early 2000’s.

Essentially, there was little reason to buy an Xbox Series machine before, and Microsoft, recognizing this has gone and removed any that were left. They want out, hence the price increases and now an apparent failure to renew contracts with retailers like Costco.

It’s a shame to see after seeing them at the top of the industry from 2006-2013, but that was ten-plus years ago, and things, unfortunately, change.

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What’s your take on what Microsoft has been doing lately? Do you think it’s just greed? A response to tariffs? Or is it perhaps another move in preparation to exit the game hardware business?

Image from the 2023 Xbox Games showcase