Xbox boss Phil Spencer has publicly commented on the recent announcement that Xbox first-party game prices will be increased from $60 to $70 in 2023. Raising the price of video games is inarguably a controversial topic, particularly amid crises surrounding stagnating wages, inflation, and the specter of an economic recession. Despite that, the video game industry and Xbox have found significant success in recent years, so any comment from Spencer on this subject is certain to be welcomed by fans.

Microsoft announced that it would be raising prices on all first-party Xbox game releases starting in January 2023. Highly anticipated 2023 game releases including Redfall, Starfield, and Forza Motorsport are confirmed to be priced at $69.99 instead of Xbox’s current $59.99 standard pricing, as well as all first-party Xbox games going forward. Microsoft’s statement on the subject listed “content, scale, and technical complexity” as justifications for the increased prices.

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Spencer addressed the subject during an interview on the Second Request podcast, though he didn’t add much more to the conversation than what’s already been said. Phil Spencer explained, “Pricing is always something we’re conscious of, and the impact it has on our customers.” He goes on to say, “Given our economic realities right now, something had to give in terms of us continuing to run the business,…