Is it feasible/advantages for large video game platform developer to sell popular device(s) free?

Just curious, assuming there was the supply. Especially when considering subscriptions now days and picking up new players who would otherwise not have moved over. I guess the long term profits would be too risky. You would need a whole bunch of consumer data. That’s not even considering how rival companies would react.

I don’t know. 

If it is free, how is it selling? How would I be working out if I burn 0 calories?

They are sold at a lose. However, outright giving them away would not put them in the hands of the desired consumer segment.

In the desired segment they become profitable over time. if given away, they would mostly go to people who would never spend enough within them to turn a profit.

You’re not the desired consumer for my ideas. 

Maybe if one made quality games that could perfectly run on $100 computers.

LMAO! People would lap it up even just to resell (even if reselling wasn't legal).

This would be one dumbass decision.

Probably not advantageous, because they would probably already be doing it.......As their marketeers are undoubtedly a whole lot cleverer than you.

And as Intel said.....One sells things for a price or gives away for free.

I think that the "desired consumer" for your ideas, probably falls within the 5 to 10 age range.

Just an observation.

HaHa.