Ybarra says rumored $1,200-$1,800 next Xbox would never sell
The former Blizzard president said a console needs great games and a $399-$499 entry price, and advised sticking with PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X for now.
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra said on Twitter that a next Xbox priced at the rumored $1,200 to $1,800 would never sell meaningful units, according to gamesradar.com. Ybarra said he would not release such a console at all.
Ybarra argued that a console needs two things to succeed: great games and a low entry price, which he put at $399 to $499. At the rumored range, he said, the machine would fail to reach a meaningful audience.
For players shopping now, Ybarra advised sticking with the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X until prices normalize. He said the capabilities of both consoles are fine for 99% of the audience.
He pointed to Xbox's announcement that its FSR 4.1 machine-learning upscaler is coming to Xbox Series X and S as an example of the kind of optimization that extends the life of current hardware.
Context
It was recently reported that the next Xbox could cost somewhere between $1,200 and $1,800. Nintendo released the Switch 2 last year, and new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is leading a reset at the division that has included layoffs.
Quick answers
What did Mike Ybarra say about the next Xbox price?
He said a next Xbox priced at the rumored $1,200 to $1,800 would never sell meaningful units, and that he would not release such a console at all.
What price does Ybarra think a console needs?
He put the low entry price a console needs at $399 to $499, alongside great games.
What consoles does Ybarra recommend for now?
He advised sticking with the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X until prices normalize.