Xbox Series X | S

[monkeydog]

37 minutes ago, djbhammer said:

 

Nothing confirmed yet, good article here:

 

https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/16/21326797/microsoft-xcloud-launch-xbox-game-pass-ultimate-free

I'd imagine Android support will be quite broad. It works on my Oppo Reno.

[Mogster]

It works on my OnePlus 7 Pro too. I imagine it should work on just about anything that can handle streaming video.

[Super Craig]

24 minutes ago, footle said:

the big selling point of the PS5 is that, yet again, you can buy multiplayer controllers again...

There was me thinking it was games I couldn’t get on my PS4, XB1 or Switch.

[Super Craig]

25 minutes ago, Clipper said:

Yes I can imagine that is the first thing to cross the mind on reading that

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

I’m lucky enough to work in retail where I’ve gone from thinking that I would easily be able to buy both consoles at launch to wondering whether I’ll still be in a job and can even afford to buy one and whether I should even do that instead of saving.

[Clipper]

that isn't why I posted the laughing smilie. I am not even sure why you posted that response as your post simply said

 

It feels like that blog post is telling me to buy a PS5 this Christmas if I can only afford a single next-gen console.

 

So - to be clear - my response was nothing to do with your personal circumstance.

[RubberJohnny]

2 hours ago, SeanR said:

the cheapest, and the most expensive.

 

Yeah, that makes sense.

I think they just built up a load of stock that they expected to last them so they could switch production, and then COVID happened, all the console sales went through the roof and they ended up running out before the next console is even out.

[Clipper]

One S is the best value option to keep - plays discs and you aren't paying for the mid-gen teraflops

[footle]

30 minutes ago, Super Craig said:

There was me thinking it was games I couldn’t get on my PS4, XB1 or Switch.

In year one?! Ha.

[SeanR]

14 minutes ago, RubberJohnny said:

I think they just built up a load of stock that they expected to last them so they could switch production, and then COVID happened, all the console sales went through the roof and they ended up running out before the next console is even out.

 

oh the irony!

 

Xbox has no games... consoles

[Marlew]

I literally cannot wait to get a Series X home and start gawping like a very surprised bastard. 

[djbhammer]

Luck would have it I checked my sub and my gold membership expired 15 July 2021 so it was a no brainer to now join Ultimate as it was perfect for the 3 year max conversion.  Bought 2 years subs online £39.50 each which was not too shabby, added and then joined Ultimate £1 first month offer where it converted all my Gold. So all paid up now until July 2023 with a mega saving on Ultimate (3 years Ultimate normally £396 at the monthly rate, so cost me about £105 as my existing year to go cost £25 as I nabbed a cheap sub previously before the price went up). Unreal, I’m all set. Ready to pre order Uncle Phil, don’t keep me waiting. 

[Popo]

2 hours ago, djbhammer said:

 

Nothing confirmed yet, good article here:

 

https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/16/21326797/microsoft-xcloud-launch-xbox-game-pass-ultimate-free

Interesting - the article notes that Project Xcloud is based on One S hardware and will be upgraded to Series X in the future, sooo... one assumes Game Pass/full fat downloads for Series X games and complimentary (in both senses of the word) Xcloud/streaming for the Xbone and 360 back catalogues? (I think I’m right in saying the Xbone can play most 360 games?)

 

For £12 a month (?) that’s a monster offering. As online gaming pioneers, with Live, and acres of data centre real estate at their disposal, Microsoft have got the credentials to pull it off. Sony may have to start offering Plus and Now together to stay competitive in this quickly evolving area of the industry or risk falling behind. Game Pass Ultimate is a stronger brand, easier to sell conceptually and extremely good value for money; theoretically I could buy a Series X on launch, get a (free? £1?) trial of GPU and be playing any number of games new and old without having bought any. 
 

Whas nice about this is that Microsoft are doing something different from Sony. That’s exciting. 

[Transient Curse]

9 hours ago, Popo said:

I could buy a Series X on launch, get a (free? £1?) trial of GPU and be playing any number of games new and old without having bought any

Yes, even if the machines launch at the same price,  if they do include a free trial, every xbox buyer instantly gets the 1st party launch stuff included, which pushes the value angle a bit further. 

 

I think  I picked up 3 games at launch with my X1, that would be equivalent to more than a year's worth of (full price) game pass. 

 

It sort of feels like Microsoft have ticked every single box from where I'm sitting. I'd still be getting their machine even if they hadn't, and I won't pretend differently, but this seems like a very different launch to last time around. 

 

I assume Don Mattrick will stroll out on the 23rd like Darth Sidious and start tearing it all down.

[amc]

They want to advertise the shit out of it on the hardware box, in the media and POS etc. Do the old thing of game images on the back of the box, a selection of first party games already on the service and big hitters to come.

 

Throw a 1 to 3 month membership in with the machine. Treat it a bit like the old days of pack in games and advertise as such, only this time offering dozens of AAA/AA games day one instead of a pack in Fifa or Sonic the hedgehog.

 

 

[Chadruharazzeb]

10 hours ago, footle said:

the big selling point of the PS5 is that, yet again, you can buy multiplayer controllers again...

 

Is it? I didn't know that's why I'm getting one. Thanks! 

[djbhammer]

Sarah Bond, CVP, Gaming Ecosystem

 

For those of us in the games industry, we've always understood the incredible power of gaming. Over the past few months we've seen gaming become a part of our social fabric in ways we could never have imagined. It's clear, now more than ever, the crucial role gaming can play in our lives.

 

Today we announced we are bringing Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud together at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members – unleashing the power of gaming by making it more accessible than ever before. This September, in supported countries, gamers will be able to play more than 100 Xbox Game Pass titles on their phones or tablets, from the cloud, as a part of their Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. This is one of many creator focused breakthrough innovations we will unveil, and a product of our multibillion-dollar investment in gaming tools and technology that benefit both players and developers.

 

As the Head of Gaming Ecosystem at Microsoft, my team is focused on empowering game creators to conceive, build, launch, and manage games – using any and all of Microsoft's software and services, from Azure to Xbox  – to reach any player and every device. When we created Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud, our goal was to put the amazing titles from game creators all over the world into the hands of more players across more devices. We see a future where players can play console-quality games on any of their devices.  

 

As an industry, we are moving from a world of device-centricity to a place where players, their friends, and their content becomes the center focus.  This shift creates incredible challenge and opportunity for game makers. As players increasingly demand that their gaming experience span devices, creators must have the platform, tools, and services to deliver that experience. The days of having to manage a multitude of builds, game instances and communities across device types and brands will be relegated to the past – unlocking access to more players, opening up revenue opportunities, and expanding gaming communities.

 

Our commitment has always been to listen carefully to what players and game creators want from the future of gaming. And, as Microsoft and Xbox's Gaming Ecosystem team, we are on a mission to empower game creators to realize their dreams – by building the platform, tools and services that help make that future a reality. Today's announcement is another step towards that promise, creating a path for console developers to reach millions of new players globally, on mobile. 

 

Over the next few months, we will continue to share updates and information on our journey with Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud. 

 

6 days now 

[Boozy The Clown]

 

[Dudley]

9 hours ago, Wahwah* said:

Yes, even if the machines launch at the same price,  if they do include a free trial, every xbox buyer instantly gets the 1st party launch stuff included, which pushes the value angle a bit further. 

 

I think  I picked up 3 games at launch with my X1, that would be equivalent to more than a year's worth of (full price) game pass. 

 

It sort of feels like Microsoft have ticked every single box from where I'm sitting. I'd still be getting their machine even if they hadn't, and I won't pretend differently, but this seems like a very different launch to last time around. 

 

I assume Don Mattrick will stroll out on the 23rd like Darth Sidious and start tearing it all down.

 

I'm wondering i MS will go brave on the marketing and do something like this.

 

 

Or even

 

 

"xx free games"

 

With an asterix to say "With 1 year trial of Xbox Unlimited.

 

For added win, pre-install the launch titles.

 

[monkeydog]

20 minutes ago, Dudley said:

 

I'm wondering i MS will go brave on the marketing and do something like this.

 

 

Or even

 

 

"xx free games"

 

With an asterix to say "With 1 year trial of Xbox Unlimited.

 

For added win, pre-install the launch titles.

 

 

More likely they'll be emphasizing All Access. £xx per month for a Series X with 200+ gamepass games, including Halo Infinite and continue playing anywhere with game streaming.

[Transient Curse]

18 minutes ago, Dudley said:

With 1 year trial of Xbox Unlimited

I know the model is to get people paying for gamepass,  but I wonder if they'd be prepared to swallow the cost of a year, a month is all they've been doing as far as I know. Less than 6 months feels less like a freebie and more like an introductory offer. If they gave a year, I'd think it was generous.  

 

Even if they only did it for preordered hardware, I reckon a year would feel like a big addition. 

[T Pot]

14 hours ago, SeanR said:

theories:

 

the Xbox One S, is capable of being produced at a low-cost, playing discs (which is why they're getting shot of the XBOSAD) , and streaming XCloud gaming.

 

the Xbox One X is being discontinued because they can't get the BOP down, to position it correctly in the market place*, and is  replaced by the Series S.

 

3 SKU, 3 price points:

 

Xbox One S £200

Xbox Series S £400

Xbox Series X £600

 

any better ideas?

 

 

* they were selling it to enthusiasts, and could weather the losses on each one sold, but if that ramps up...

 

 

14 hours ago, mdn2 said:

The One S will be cheaper than that as an entry point into the hardware. I'm going:

 

One S: £129

Series S: £300

Series X: £500

 

 

I think Series S will be announced in August. One S will be discontinued. We'll have only the Series S & Series X being manufactured after that point. 

[Dudley]

7 minutes ago, Wahwah* said:

I know the model is to get people paying for gamepass,  but I wonder if they'd be prepared to swallow the cost of a year, a month is all they've been doing as far as I know. Less than 6 months feels less like a freebie and more like an introductory offer. If they gave a year, I'd think it was generous.  

 

Even if they only did it for preordered hardware, I reckon a year would feel like a big addition. 

 

Fair, a month would be too small to properly splash it across the box is my thinking.

 

It all depends how aggressive they want to be.

 

I mean, remember all the "game themed" packs we've had across the life of other consoles.

 

Imagine if they went huge and do them all at once, a Forza box, a Halo box, a Sea of Thieves box etc etc.... with a note saying "And also all the others"

 

But imagine a wall of those at GAME opposite the PS5 wall that's just a lot of blue boxes with "Oh and also buy some games please".

[djbhammer]

4 minutes ago, Mr Tony said:

 

 

 

I think Series S will be announced in August. One S will be discontinued. We'll have only the Series S & Series X being manufactured after that point. 

 Microsoft has put out the following statement: "As we ramp into the future with Xbox Series X, we're taking the natural step of stopping production on Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Xbox One S will continue to be manufactured and sold globally".

[T Pot]

Just now, djbhammer said:

 Microsoft has put out the following statement: "As we ramp into the future with Xbox Series X, we're taking the natural step of stopping production on Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Xbox One S will continue to be manufactured and sold globally.

 

If it's kept around, I can't see it being more than £129. It's gonna be rock bottom cost to get people in and subscribing to GP/GPU. 

[Wallace]

2 hours ago, Boozy The Clown said:

 

 

More than just a number? A release date? 

[moosegrinder]

7th November? Could be I guess, even thought we've not really seen anything. Feels a bit crowbarred in but it wouldn't surprise me if they just dropped it then.

[Transient Curse]

Not sure they'll wait until 17th January, come on guys. 

[SeanR]

they missed the 11th of July

[Stanley]

Honestly cannot wait for this presentation - Halo guys 

[Mogster]

Halo Stanley.