The Xbox Scorpio will likely cost more than $300, and that’s a bad sign for Microsoft according to Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter. Pachter is a well-known critic of the video game industry from a business perspective.
Speaking to GamingBolt, Pachter said the PS4 Pro’s price and release date might secure another win for Sony in the console wars.
“I think that the $399 price point is a pretty big move by Sony, particularly with a launch this fall,” Pachter told GamingBolt. “It’s hard to justify buying a $299 Xbox One S when you get twice the HDD and future proof for 4K by buying the PS4 Pro.”
As for how this affects Microsoft, Pachter said, “I really think this puts Microsoft in a hole with Scorpio, as they will arrive a year late, and will have to charge competitively even to remain in the picture. Ideally, Microsoft can launch Scorpio for $299, but I don’t expect that to happen.”
Since the Scorpio isn’t slated to release until towards the end of next year, Pachter isn’t confident in the console, especially if Sony can manage a price cut. “If PS4 Pro is $349 by next holiday, Microsoft is really in a tough spot,” he said.
While Pachter raises good points, I feel the sales of the PS4 Pro will not be as big as people are anticipating. When you consider the PS4 Pro needs a 4K HDR TV to show its full potential, and so few people own one, adoption rates may be slow. There’s also the Xbox One trade-in program that Microsoft promised that could help reduce costs on the Scorpio for consumers. That being said, the less-expensive console will still look much more attractive to those who want to upgrade compared to a more expensive one.
So what do you think? Are you interested in getting a PS4 Pro or Xbox Scorpio? Have you decided on which console you want yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
