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TechnologyEntertainment234 words2 min read

Xbox Boss Talks About Console Price and Digital Games

black xbox one console with controller
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Listen to the story

Asha Sharma, a senior figure at Xbox, has spoken to the BBC about the company's plans for its next games console. Xbox is a brand of video game consoles made by Microsoft.

In an exclusive interview, meaning the BBC was the only news outlet given this conversation, Sharma said Xbox is thinking carefully about affordability. This means how easily people can afford to buy the new console.

Games consoles have become more expensive in recent years. This has made some fans worried about the cost of future devices. Sharma's comments suggest Xbox is aware of these concerns.

She also discussed digital versions of games. Digital games are downloaded from the internet rather than bought on a physical disc.

Sharma talked about the idea of giving gamers digital copies of games they already own physically. This would mean people who bought a disc version could also get a digital version of the same game.

Many players currently only have one format of a game, either digital or physical. Being able to get both could make it easier to play games on different devices.

The interview did not give exact details about prices or release dates for the next console. Xbox has not announced a launch date for its next-generation device.

This report comes only from the BBC's interview with Sharma, and no further information about the new console has been confirmed publicly.

Vocabulary10 words

Xbox
a brand of video game console made by Microsoft
exclusive
given to only one news company
affordability
how easy it is to pay for something
digital
existing as computer data, not a physical object
disc
a round object used to store games or movies
gamer
a person who plays video games
physical
something you can touch, not digital
format
the type or form of something, like digital or disc
next-generation
the newer, more advanced version coming next
launch
the time when a product is released to buy

Quiz

1. What did Asha Sharma say Xbox is thinking about?
2. What idea did Sharma mention about owned games?
3. Did the interview reveal exact prices or release dates for the new console?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Asha Sharma, a senior figure at Xbox, has spoken to the BBC about the company's plans for its next games _____.

In an _____ interview, the BBC was the only news outlet given this conversation.

Sharma said Xbox is thinking carefully about _____.

Games consoles have become more _____ in recent years.

She also discussed _____ versions of games.

Digital games are downloaded from the internet rather than bought on a physical _____.

Sharma talked about giving gamers digital copies of games they already _____.

Many players currently only have one _____ of a game.

The interview did not give exact details about prices or release _____ for the next console.

Xbox has not announced a launch date for its next-_____ device.

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