A $1000 Console? Peter Moore's Alarm on the Future and the End of Gaming Hardware

According to Peter Moore, a historical executive who has held prominent roles at Sega and Xbox, the console market is entering an extremely delicate phase. In an interview, he explained that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will need to find new solutions to tackle a future where the price of hardware could approach $1,000.

Moore recalled that, for many years, the industry followed an established model: consoles were often sold with very low margins or even at a loss, while revenues came later through the sale of video games and related services. Over time, the production cost of hardware decreased, allowing manufacturers to improve the profitability of consoles.

Today, however, this balance is being disrupted. According to the former executive, the cost of components continues to rise even for already mature technologies, making it increasingly difficult to reduce losses related to console production. Adding to the complexity is the strong demand for semiconductors from the artificial intelligence sector, which makes it harder to obtain the necessary supplies.

Will console prices manage to stay below $1,000? Moore believes that manufacturers are reflecting carefully on this situation, as it becomes increasingly complicated to offer hardware at affordable prices without compromising the economic sustainability of the business. At the same time, there is a limit to how much many consumers are willing to spend on a dedicated gaming platform.

The former manager also revisited a theory that has been discussed for years: the possible 'last generation of consoles'. While emphasizing that this prediction has circulated for some time, he believes that today the industry is truly facing a decisive test. Among the factors that could alter the market is also the growth of cloud gaming.

Moore notes that the idea of using a simple smart TV equipped with the necessary functions, accompanied only by a controller, is now technically feasible. Alternatively, many users might choose a PC as their main platform, connecting it to the TV and using it like a traditional console. According to Moore, the future will depend on the industry's ability to innovate or on consumer choices, which will continue to find new ways to play.