XBOX CEO Says New Business Model is Needed “Rather Than Most Premium, High-Performance” Consoles

There’s been talk that Microsoft’s new console, Project Helix, could cost over $1,000, largely due to current memory supply issues. People are wondering how Microsoft will sell a console at that price point to enough customers. In a recent interview with Fortune, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the company is still considering different ways to make it affordable and accessible.

She pointed out that Project Helix could be too expensive for most customers, so Microsoft needs to explore new ways to reach a wider audience. This might mean moving beyond the original plan of a high-end, premium console.

According to Sharma, the company is exploring new ways to sell consoles. He believes focusing solely on the most powerful and expensive consoles isn’t sustainable, as most gamers won’t be able to afford them. He anticipates the introduction of innovative and unexpected business models for consoles later this year.

Sharma’s recent comments contrast with statements made by former Xbox president Sarah Bond last October. Bond described the next Xbox console as “very premium” and “very high-end,” suggesting a carefully crafted and sophisticated experience. The discussion at the time often focused on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and the Xbox Ally X.

Sharma didn’t share details about these new business models, but industry expert Joost van Dreunen suggests a potential shift: renting virtual gaming machines. As consoles and PCs become increasingly expensive, van Dreunen believes many gamers won’t be able to afford the hardware. He predicts major tech companies will start offering virtual PCs or consoles in the cloud for a monthly subscription fee, catering to budget-conscious players.

So, I was reading about what Microsoft’s planning with the next Xbox, and their chief strategist, Matthew Ball, basically said things aren’t improving with getting enough consoles out there. They’re still working to keep stores stocked with the current Xbox, but looking ahead, he admitted they’re still facing a pretty big challenge in getting enough hardware available.

We’re completely re-evaluating the Helix console to ensure it’s both affordable and adaptable. We’re also making changes within the company to achieve this. Our goal isn’t to limit what the console can do, but to expand its possibilities. We’re taking these steps while considering the current economic challenges, which we anticipate could last for two to two and a half years.

We’re carefully considering how to move forward in a way that’s fair to everyone. We want to avoid placing excessive demands on our players while still ensuring we can invest in the future of the company. It’s important to remember that millions of people spent a significant amount of money on our consoles years ago, and we have a responsibility to continue meeting their expectations and making them feel good about their choice.

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2026-06-10 18:41