It's happened before but that was normally the kiss of death. Have times changed to the point where $500-$600 for a video game console is no longer a barrier?  Does performance matter more than cost, now?

I remember when the Wii sold so well because "It was half the price of the competition" (false) or the Gameboy sacrificed power for a consumer friendly price. Are those days gone?

If this is about NEO/Scorpio then no, it's not a problem. you can buy the ps4/xb1.

If a new generation console launches at $600 then it is a problem because there is no alternative.

No, they shouldn't.

And if this is somehow in reference to the Neo/Scorpio costing as much as $499/$599 respectively; then it should be noted that the circumstances surrounding them aren't only unique but also an industry first.

Technically and in every other way imaginable, the Neo/Scorpio are still just both the PS4/XB1.

Those cosoles will at the time the Neo/scorpio come around cost around under $299.

Under $299 is what it will cost to own a PS4/XB1. Games will be built primarily to run on those sub $300 consoles. The difference here is, there just happens to be premium (more expensive and more powerful) versions of the very same sub $300 consoles.

I strongly doubt that sony or MS expects to sell 20M consoles a year priced at $499/$599. Rather they want to sell 18-20M consoles priced at as under $299 as they can go then sell 1-4M consoles priced at $499/$599. All this isnt about even making more powerful hardware, its about retaining a userbase. Preventing situations where they have to hit the reset button every 5-7yrs.

I think $400 is the right price for a new console

It is about those consoles!

I like gaming and I actually spend way too much for them but for the most part, they've always been cheap enough to be an impulse buy.  Then, the PS3 launched at $600 (for the high end console). Later I got an XBO for $500.  That's a little outside of the realm of "I've got a little extra in my pocket. Sure, why not?"

It just seems like gaming is slowly creeping beyond the realm of a hobby anyone can enjoy and becoming something much more. Toss in the barrier of paid internet and the obligation to stay connected and I can see many people who loved gaming being left out in the cold.

Even now, I have family that haven't even been able to scrape up ps4 money, even though they'd love one.

Should a gaming PC cost $2000?

Sure, that's fine. Why is it fine? Because that's just one option. Having different options at different price points is in no way the same as having one option at a high price point.

Reported.

If something is good and proves there is €500 value to it why wouldn't people buy it? Heck like people said, there are those who invest 1000s not 100s on PC hardware to get a nice setup for themselves to game.

Gaming is a hobby, some people have more to spend on it and a premium console for 4k or so is a great option to have floating about for those who want it.

Nope. Once i heard about the 600€ Neo i lost any interest in it even if it delivers 60fps. It's simply not worth it for a 2-3 year system.

This. The very reason the price point on the Scorpio and Neo can be that high is because $300~ alternatives that can play the same games are available.