Xbox Reportedly Increases Price of Development Kits to $2,000 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 21 October 2025 / 3,179 Views
Microsoft have reportedly increased the price of the Xbox Series X|S development kit (XDK) by 33 percent from $1,500 to $2,000, according to sources speaking with The Verge.
An announcement from Microsoft was sent to Xbox developers that was seen by The Verge that states, "The adjustment reflects macroeconomic developments. We remain committed to providing high-quality tools and support for your development efforts."
The price increase will reportedly apply to all developers around the world and not just in the US, which has seen the highest increase to the price to the consumer versions of the Xbox Series X and S consoles.
The price for the Xbox Series X and S consoles first increased in May of this year by $80 for the Xbox Series S and $100 for the Xbox Series X. The two consoles then increased again earlier this month by $20 for the Xbox Series S and $50 for the Xbox Series X. That is a total of $100 in increases for the Xbox Series S and $150 for the Xbox Series X.
Here are the current prices in the US:
- Xbox Series S 512 - $399.99 (was $379.99, before May price increase it was $299.99)
- Xbox Series S 1TB - $449.99 (was $429.99, before May it was $349.99)
- Xbox Series X Digital - $599.99 (was $549.99, before May it was $449.99)
- Xbox Series X - $649.99 (was $599.99, before May it was $499.99)
- Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition - $799.99 (was $729.99, before May it was $599.99)
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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Can they possibly sabotage themselves anymore?
That is certainly a strategy lol.
After wealthy M$ raised prices on everything, laid off over 9,000 employees, and wants to force gamers to play "digital only," developers are now also in their sights. It's really crazy. Why should only the players suffer? oO
The consequence: fewer games for Xbox in the future.
They don't want devs making Xbox games anymore, they want them to make Windows games, because that's what the new "Xboxes" will play.
can affect small indies no?
It feels like Xbox is in a desperate need for money. They need to hit a certain number and they are doing every possible move to make some cash.
I'm thinking the number they are trying to hit is somewhere around $70 billion....
This is good news, only microsoft need to keep jacking up the prices on everything they have!
To be fair...
an extra $500 isn't stopping any games worth playing from actually coming to the console.
Most "big" indie games are given dev kits for free by Xbox
With that said, this is yet another WTF by Xbox in a loooooong string of WTF moments
