This price point shouldn't come as a complete surprise when we consider a potential evolution in how gaming hardware is perceived and valued. Instead of solely viewing it within its traditional cultural context, we might begin to align its pricing with that of other personal electronics like phones, tablets, laptops, and PCs.
The pricing of modern smartphones offers a relevant parallel. Many consumers are unaware of the outright cost of their devices, as it's often integrated into their monthly phone plans. Even searching for the price of the latest iPhone may not yield a straightforward figure. This opacity, where a new phone adds a seemingly small $20-40 to a monthly bill, is often by design. In reality, these phones frequently exceed $1,000 when purchased outright, and that number only grows with financing.
It's within this pricing landscape that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo likely see an opportunity. Therefore, it's conceivable that these console manufacturers could introduce subscription plans that include hardware, mirroring the model used by cellular providers.
For example, a user might subscribe to a Microsoft Xbox Game Pass plan bundled with a new console (hypothetically named the "Xbox 740") for $89 per month over a two-year period. If $64 of this monthly payment is allocated to the console's cost, Microsoft would realize $1,536 in hardware revenue over the two years, with the remaining $25 per month covering the Game Pass service. This model could also be tiered to accommodate different hardware specifications.
Importantly, similar to the practices of phone companies, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo would have the technical capability to remotely disable (brick) consoles in cases of non-payment.
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