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As eyes constantly shift between PS6, Steam Machine, and Microsoft's Project Helix, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that RAM shortages are indeed going to affect the final rollout of the brand's new device. Speaking with Game File, the new head of Xbox assures us that the team is "investing in [the Gen 9 console] as a first-class experience again," potentially readying us for a premium price point.
A high-cost, low-stock device isn't going to go down too well in a market already fatigued by soaring prices, with the memory of PS5 and Xbox Series X stock constraints echoing once again. It's likely an inescapable fate, though. The next generation of consoles has been predicted to come in 50% more expensive than the previous, and analysts don't expect the current memory crisis to ease until at least 2028.
Currently, the industry expects Xbox Project Helix to come in somewhere between $900 and a whopping $1,500, putting it more inline with PC prices than traditional console rates. It's a sidestep for the company after a few years treading down the wrong path, but one that's not completely out of the blue. After all, the best gaming PCs can easily cost far more and that's kinda what Xbox wants its new device to be.
Project Helix is being pitched as a Steam Machine rival, a PC for your living room. More specifically, a high-end PC for your living room.
While technically able to bump up to 4K 60, current spec information points to the Steam Machine targeting a more mid-range 1440p experience. Running it next to one of the best gaming TVs at full UHD will likely require some settings tweaks for more demanding games. If Xbox Project Helix aims to perform like an RTX 5080 PC, it could well find a foothold higher up the price range.
We're deep in the weeds of next-gen console rumors at this point, but with the PS6 reportedly launching in two SKUs, a premium offering and a cheaper alternative, and PS5 price increases warming players to the proposition of $900 consoles, all signs point to an enthusiast rather than a casual-oriented launch.
Should Xbox take the premium road, the path is still wide open for Steam Machine and Sony's reportedly cheaper PS6 'Lite' console to scoop up the majority of players.
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