Microsoft's worst kept secret--the Xbox Series S--has finally gotten its long-awaited reveal. Following a multitude of leaks, most recently one involving a release date and price, Microsoft has stepped in to confirm that yes, there will be a next-generation Xbox that is less powerful than the Xbox Series X, while still offering strong performance and value. Though we still don't know the price for the Xbox Series X, the smaller and freshly announced Xbox Series S will retail for $299.99/£249.99, with more detailed information coming soon. We also get the tagline "next-gen performance in the smallest Xbox ever".

The previous leaks indicated that by contrast, the Xbox Series X is planned to be priced at $499, with both systems releasing on November 10th, though this information is currently unconfirmed and is being reported as an "insider tip" by Windows Central.

Source

 

[Bladexdsl]

WTF is this thing? I can't tell if it's a speaker or a fan!

it's a heater

 

[Silent_Gunner]

Fixed design:
View attachment 224222

Now that doesn't look like a slimmed down Fractal Design Node 202!

 

[TheCasualties]

Honestly I was expecting ~$500, so this is a big surprise. Suppose the version with a disk drive will cost more, and the "main" version will be close to 500.. Come on Sony.. PS5 at ~$200! lol I'd buy one at that price.

side note, how cool would it be if that actually functioned as a subwoofer. Might scratch a disk, but the digital only version could handle it. It's obviously for cooling, but it would be pretty cool to have a subwoofer console.

So far still planing on a new pc build.

---Not double Posting---

@Silent_Gunner I think it may just force game developers to set "low" settings extremely low. Which will ultimately help us PC gamers that can't build new rigs every 2 years. Gameplay shouldn't be negatively effected (Most important part of games IMO), and they can still go all out with the "ULTRA" graphics settings.

 

[StrayGuitarist]

Sorry. Should have tagged my reply as [RUMOR]. I mean, has anyone even owned an Xbox One? Regardless of “model”? Are they even real?

Unfortunately, I do. I even paid extra to buy the Forza 5 special edition console with the blue stripes and whatnot. I'd still use it if they didn't destroy their own platform with horrible, constant software updates.

 

[sibio]

Very very nice price for Series X, I would have bet on $100 more! Still a no buy for me as I'll build a new PC rig with Ryzen Gen 3 and RTX 3080. If I will ever be interested in a Microsoft first party exclusive, I'll buy the game for PC to enjoy be best possible image quality.

I endorse the theory that this series S will hold back the entire gaming generation if developers will try to make their games run well on it too. It's a shame, Series X and PS5, tech-wise, are already born obsolete, so this is going to worsen the situation even more.

 

[p1ngpong]

This is a nice option to have, not having a disc slot is seriously not a huge deal these days. All you need is a gamepass subscription and from day one you should hopefully have a fairly hefty selection of games to download. Plus you will have xcloud streaming as part of gamepass soon also.

 

[AlanJohn]

I wonder if its hardware is on par with the One X or if it's just a Series X without an optical drive. Either way, 300$ is a good price.

 

[Silent_Gunner]

I wonder if its hardware is on par with the One X or if it's just a Series X without an optical drive. Either way, 300$ is a good price.

Well, it's a Series X without an optical drive, and is weaker overall. Think of it as a 1440p/1080p option if you don't have a 4K TV or something along those lines.

 

[AmandaRose]

It looks like half of a number one domino

 

[Deleted User]

it looks pretty .... well...... ewwww.....?
no thanks...

in addition it has no dvd/bluray drive -> instant pass. it might be that most wont care and i respect those decision but i like to have something on my shelf.

 

[Silent_Gunner]

It looks like half of a number one domino

View attachment 224224

Maybe there'll be an upgrade kit to complete the domino and make the system equal to the Series X?

 

[Foxi4]

I don't know what kind of pills Microsoft's design department is popping, but after the S and the X, easily the two prettiest consoles this generation, they sure came up with some ugly successors. The 299 price tag is excellent and I suspect the strategy here is picking up the run-off from prospective buyers who want a next gen console, but don't have quite enough to buy the Series X or the PS5. In any case, the meme rings true:



Bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off.

 

[DinohScene]

I'd prefer a disc drive in me console.
Even tho I barely use it : D

 

[Deleted User]

Why should anybody buy this instead of an One X with more power + opt. drive?

 

[eriol33]

Wow. The cheapest console traditionally won the console war, I wonder how much Sony will price it. $349?

 

[Silent_Gunner]

I don't know what kind of pills Microsoft's design department is popping, but after the S and the X, easily the two prettiest consoles this generation, they sure came up with some ugly successors. The 299 price tag is excellent and I suspect the strategy here is picking up the run-off from prospective buyers who want a next gen console, but don't have quite enough to buy the Series X or the PS5. In any case, the meme rings true:

View attachment 224225

Bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off.

Both systems seem to be launching with no games atm. At least, nothing that makes me go, "OMG! I GOT TO GET A PS5 AND ESPECIALLY AN XSEX RIGHT NOW!"

Granted, how much of this is because of COVID-19 is up for debate, as every studio I'm sure has ended up having to push things back due to the complications of having a bunch of office workers in cubicles together with such a contagious virus that the CDC, Dr. Fauci, and everyone in society atm can't seem to agree on how to approach (are masks effective or not? Like, if the ones everyone are using and/or companies are handing out are ineffective, why the fuck are we forced to restrict our ability to inhale and exhale? The whole mess screams of some form of miscommunication, be it intentional or not. /end rant). But really, it just goes to show that you shouldn't be dependent upon a country who's interests are more for its sake and who's government is the very definition of totalitarian and not for the people, by the people.

Not to mention, other than ensuring that employees stay on task and that you can enforce crunch, why have a bunch of employees in an office or set of offices to begin with? Other than some buildings maybe providing space and/or material for certain job roles to function better (like a voiceover recording booth or motion capture), I can't see game devs needing to be in the same office to be as much of a necessity nowadays. Granted, I would prefer someone to be in-person myself as that's how I generally roll, but if one has to cut down on costs to try and increase their potential for profit, why not do so?

 

[Scarlet]

Honestly, Microsoft put a lot of effort in this generation to build a platform for a digital-only console next gen. Just compare Game Pass Ultimate to PS+, heck even PS+ and PS Now combined. There's no comparison. If the $300 console is even remotely close to the Series X specs-wise, I could see a lot more interest in that than either PS5 model, especially with the monthly payment plans.

As a side note, does anybody else think the console looks like the Xbox Adaptive Controller? lol

 

[Harsky]

I feel like this is Microsoft's way of finally implementing their "always on" DRM from the Xbox One.

"Can't complain about online checks because you don't have internet access if you bought a console to download games from the internet"

 

[Silent_Gunner]

Wow. The cheapest console traditionally won the console war, I wonder how much Sony will price it. $349?

I'm not so sure that will hold up this time. For one thing, we're in a lockdown that's costed a lot of people their jobs, and then you have the shortages due to us depending on China to make these systems, and then you also have the fact that these systems have differences far beyond just being different form factors. And besides, it's not like the DC outsold the PS2, you know?

Xbox Series X - The full package, comes with a disc drive. $499
Xbox Series S - Does not come with a disc drive, isn't as powerful, and is cheaper. $299

PS5 - Comes with a disc drive, official specs and price unknown atm.
PS5 Digital Edition - Does not come with a disc drive, official specs and price unknown atm.

I think what ultimately is gonna determine who wins out here is gonna be who was more affected by the pandemic and who communicates the best about what their systems are gonna bring to the table at launch. Both systems are gonna have pluses and minuses that will cancel each other out in some way.

Both Xbox Series Whatevers are gonna have proprietary storage on top of whatever measly offerings are coming as the base internal storage for both of these systems. I think that, as long as Microsoft doesn't go full PS Vita in this territory, they may have a chance. I'll explain why this might work out for them compared to Sony in a way down below.

The PS5 is going to have M.2 SSDs, but only select models will be compatible. Whether this has to do with the connector type on the M.2's or some other specs isn't known atm, but unless if they have some M.2's they plan to sell with the usual packaging to indicate it as being compatible with the PS5, I think Sony is gonna be in trouble in trying to communicate this to your average consumer if they want to expand the storage on their system which is gonna end up becoming a problem because at the price points these systems are launching with, they're gonna cut corner somewhere with what's in these systems. While SSD's have come down in prices, they're still a more premium option all things considered.


The other thing I could see happening that could be a determining factor in who comes out on top here is how much of these systems are gonna be available at launch. If there's less PS5's, the Xbox could be seeing a head start. If there's more PS5's, it would really depend, but it wouldn't be impossible for Sony to have the upper hand in that scenario.

 

[Bladexdsl]

Maybe there'll be an upgrade kit to complete the domino and make the system equal to the Series X?

or the whole thing will come crashing down