Microsoft increases the price of Xbox dev kits by $500

"Players aren't the only ones facing higher price tags from Xbox. According to a report by , Microsoft has upped the cost of the Xbox Development Kit from $1,500 to $2,000. That's a 33 percent jump in cost for these custom hardware kits, which are essential for devs to make and test games for release on the console. "The adjustment reflects macroeconomic developments," Microsoft said in an email sent to Xbox devs and seen by The Verge."

""We remain committed to providing high-quality tools and support for your development efforts." Although the macroeconomics in question are almost certainly the tariffs enacted by the US, it appears this is a blanket increase that will impact developers in other countries as well. The new kit costs appear to be effective immediately. The change caps off a series of price increases for the Xbox ecosystem. Game Pass prices recently rose, with the Ultimate tier now costing $30 a month compared to the previous $20."

Microsoft increased the price of the Xbox Development Kit from $1,500 to $2,000, a 33 percent rise for custom hardware used by developers to make and test console games. The company attributed the change to macroeconomic developments, likely U.S. tariffs, and applied the increase globally with immediate effect. The kit price hike follows recent Xbox ecosystem cost increases, including Game Pass Ultimate rising from $20 to $30 per month and console price increases in May and September. Combined with widespread gaming job cuts, these cumulative price and staffing moves risk eroding developer and player goodwill toward Xbox.

Read at Engadget