Xbox boss 'thinking about affordability' of next-gen console

Xbox chief executive Asha Sharma has stated that the company needs to consider affordability for its upcoming next-generation console amidst a crisis in computing prices. In an interview with the BBC, Sharma said that rising hardware costs, partly driven by AI spending, mean that firms must find ways to make gaming more affordable.

She also revealed that gamers will soon be able to obtain digital versions of many physical games they currently own, potentially enabling them to play their old games on future Xbox consoles without needing a disc. Sharma noted that while many players appreciate physical media, they also value the benefits of digital media and want to ensure people have a choice.

Currently, digital games can be downloaded and played across Xbox consoles or PCs, but some prefer using discs due to the ability to buy and sell them second-hand. The Xbox boss mentioned that they will announce the ability for players to have digital entitlements for 1,000 titles with physical discs, with the digital rights transferring to the new owner if the disc is sold second-hand.

Sharma also hinted that gamers may be able to play their old titles on future hardware. She emphasized that the company must think about efficiency and affordability alongside performance, as consoles across the board have seen price hikes years after their release. Sharma attributed this to AI companies buying up all the components needed for data centers, causing component costs, such as RAM, to skyrocket.

Xbox, being one of the companies investing heavily in AI infrastructure, is also facing hardware component price increases. Sharma, who has been in charge at Xbox for six months, has spoken about the need for a significant restructure in Xbox history to ensure the company's relevance for the next 25 years.