The existence of the Xbox Series S is no surprise. We've known for some time that Microsoft has been working on a more affordable, all-digital alternative to its Xbox Series X console, though the company hasn't officially confirmed that to be the case so far. What came as a surprise was how affordable the Xbox Series S has proven to be, coming in at just $299 / £249.99 (around AU$400). Now, €300 is still not cheap, and definitely not pocket money for most people. However, compared to other consoles, in current and past generations, this price has left me quite baffled. Next generation hardware will be available for less than €300! While Sony hasn't revealed the price of the PS5, we don't expect it to come anywhere near that minimum. So before Microsoft officially revealed the price of its flagship console, the company already has a huge lead over Sony, and since it's cheaper than the Switch, Nintendo should be worried too. Get the best Xbox Series X deals before anyone else! We'll send you pre-order details and the best Xbox Series X deals as they become available. Please send me details of other relevant Techradar products and future brands. Please send me details of other relevant third party products. No spam, I promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your data without your permission.
New generation more accessible
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(Image credit: Microsoft) Microsoft's entire approach to the next generation seems to be around accessibility, and the Xbox Series S embodies that mission. Since the inception of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has said that it doesn't want to leave current-gen Xbox gamers behind. But what could have easily been taken as company sayings seems more and more legitimate the closer we get to the console's November release date. Microsoft hasn't promised any Xbox Series X console exclusives for a few years, backwards compatibility with four generations of Xbox games, and thanks to its Smart Delivery initiative, Xbox One players will be able to upgrade some titles (like Cyberpunk 2077). to Xbox Series X for free. While Sony seems to be pushing gamers to switch to the PS5, with console-exclusive games and content, Microsoft has taken a more accessible approach, emphasizing that they aim to leave no gamer behind, appealing to the masses. . instead of the minority. While this may seem like a somewhat strange strategy on the part of the company, which by all accounts should try to sell as much of its shiny new hardware as possible, Microsoft actually seems to have a longer-term plan. head. The product that Microsoft is trying to sell is not the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S: what the company really wants to sell is Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass is one of the biggest innovations of the current generation, allowing subscribers to pay a monthly subscription to access over 100 games on their Xbox One. In the meantime, paying a little more for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, $15 / $10.99 / AU$15.95 per month, subscribers get access to all of these games, Project xCloud streaming, and Xbox Live Gold. . When you consider that the average physical game is around $60/$50, that's a steal. Microsoft is looking more at Xbox Game Pass in the next generation, with consoles acting almost as a vessel for the service. So it makes sense that Microsoft isn't pushing anyone into the next generation, it just wants you to be a part of the Xbox ecosystem, preferably through Xbox Game Pass. But this approach is more accessible to us as consumers. For one, that means we get access to over 100 games (including new Xbox titles) for just $15 a month. We can also try new games without feeling like we're ``losing out'' if not for us. And that doesn't mean everyone has the money to shell out for a new Xbox game right away, as it offers a more affordable option that doesn't turn off those who aren't up to it. This is something that Sony and Nintendo don't seem to place high on their list of priorities.
Sony y Nintendo advances
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(Image credit: Future/Microsoft) Now I could talk about the accessibility of Microsoft's approach to the next generation. But it's with the Xbox Series S that we're really starting to see stacking come into play and Microsoft has been very smart. The Xbox Series S not only provides a bridge between the Xbox One S and Xbox Series X, both in terms of technology and price, but it does so while also being considerably cheaper than the Xbox One X. I'm surprised that can buy a console more powerful than the One X, at €200 less than its launch price. Plus, when you consider that consumers will be able to buy the next-gen console for $299 and, when bundled with Xbox Game Pass, get immediate access to over 100 games up front, for just $15 per month, the value is unbeatable. (but I'll come back to this). Since there are many who don't want or need the high-end specs of the Xbox Series X, the Series S will offer a more affordable, lower-spec option that's sure to be a bigger hit in the mainstream. . Affordability is key for families, after all, while those only buying consoles for their annual FIFA or Call of Duty top-up may not be as concerned with all the Series X bells and whistles as an avid gamer would be. It's a taste of the next generation without the next-generation price tag. Meanwhile, those looking to buy an Xbox Series X will at least have the option to pay in installments through Xbox All Access, again making the move to the next generation easier and more accessible than ever before. While Sony is also on the right track to launch a PS5 Digital, a more affordable alternative to the PS5, I doubt it'll be as cheap as the S series. Let's also not forget that PS Now is far from it. 'be as valuable as a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass. While Sony hasn't confirmed its next-gen pricing, we know that consumers will likely only have two options at launch: buy a standard PS5 or a digital PS5, and neither will be cheap. It's also worth noting that the Xbox Series S is cheaper than the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, but with a lot more power and the ability to play next-gen titles. This makes it a bridge to the next generation, not just for Xbox fans, but for gamers on all platforms as well. Combined with Xbox Game Pass, who can resist?
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