Overview
- The new price takes effect immediately and applies beyond the U.S., with developers in Europe and other regions paying the higher cost.
- Microsoft told developers the adjustment "reflects macroeconomic developments," according to an announcement seen by The Verge.
- Xbox development kits feature higher-spec hardware and tools than retail consoles, including 40GB of GDDR6 memory, additional compute units, onboard debugging, and a front-panel display.
- The increase follows multiple 2025 Xbox price rises, including two hikes to the Series X and a 50% jump for Game Pass Ultimate to $30 per month.
- Analysts note the roughly 30–33% hikes align with U.S. import tariffs, with reports of Microsoft exploring production shifts away from China and concerns that higher kit costs could strain smaller studios.