Microsoft is raising prices on Xbox consoles, controllers, and games worldwide

Sorry I don't fully understand your question. Forced/hooked on what exactly?

The Xbox eco system?

Switching between consoles is a costly switch which will likely not pay off the price hike. That is assuming the competitor you're switching to also doesn't do a price hike shortly after you decide to switch.

They can switch to games from other publishers or other platforms ( e.g.: Nvidia ) instead of gamepass. But that would depend if the game is on there to begin with ( which is also an argument against game pass ). If all your friends are playing cod or Minecraft there isn't really an alternative to switch to either.

Switching from Windows to Linux is 'harder' because people think it's all terminals and magic and difficult. It generally isn't nowadays. But there isn't an initial cost to that. You don't need to buy new hardware, there's just a learning curve which doesn't have to be that steep. But I have a technical background so could be biassed on that.

People can still buy games second hand or through the various discount websites I suppose. But I suppose you'll still feel the price hike there as well. 10% off on a 60 or 80€ game is still the difference between paying 54 and 72.

Note: I actually didn't read the article, but only the headline. So I could be completely beside the point.

3 comments

That's one way to try and shift your audience to your game pass subscription I guess.
- Or to an altetnative? Or do you think users are forced/hooked because of habits and comfort of not relearning
  
  Sorry I don't fully understand your question. Forced/hooked on what exactly?
  The Xbox eco system?
  Switching between consoles is a costly switch which will likely not pay off the price hike. That is assuming the competitor you're switching to also doesn't do a price hike shortly after you decide to switch.
  They can switch to games from other publishers or other platforms ( e.g.: Nvidia ) instead of gamepass. But that would depend if the game is on there to begin with ( which is also an argument against game pass ). If all your friends are playing cod or Minecraft there isn't really an alternative to switch to either.
  Switching from Windows to Linux is 'harder' because people think it's all terminals and magic and difficult. It generally isn't nowadays. But there isn't an initial cost to that. You don't need to buy new hardware, there's just a learning curve which doesn't have to be that steep. But I have a technical background so could be biassed on that.
  People can still buy games second hand or through the various discount websites I suppose. But I suppose you'll still feel the price hike there as well. 10% off on a 60 or 80€ game is still the difference between paying 54 and 72.
  Note: I actually didn't read the article, but only the headline. So I could be completely beside the point.