The ongoing discussion for next-gen consoles and accordingly, the 'console war' has just undergone a slight development thanks to Microsoft's recent announcement. Indeed, the shockingly affordable Xbox Series S and its reveal is turning heads in the community as Microsoft enjoy Playstation's current absence in this regard. Read on to learn why I agree with the general statement - the Xbox Series S looks like an incredible value buy for the reserved customer.
Reserved? Yeah, reserved. It seems like somebody from Microsoft, in one of their many tie and suit meetings simply stood up, grabbed everyone's attention and pondered:
"Don't you think we're pushing the price tag a little too high for everybody? You know, not everybody has thousands to spend on 4K TVs or 3D Surround Audio to make the most of our console. Why don't we offer a separate product for console gamers who are willing to invest in next-gen, but are held back by other hardware?"
All the other very important designer, developer, producer-type people must have craned their necks, cradled their chins in their hands and thought - "that's pretty good".
That's exactly the thinking behind this Xbox Series S and for that reason, it's hard not to admire it. On the box, it's rumoured to be 'designed for 1440p gaming'. Take a look at some of the specifications in the following trailer:
Some things to note:
- It's an all-digital console, allowing for a slim form factor
- 1440p will be likely to play games up to 120fps
- Has the potential to upscale to 4K
- Packs the same CPU architecture as its older brother, with a weaker GPU
Beyond the video, here's a spec sheet comparison for all those interested:
Let's begin concluding this outlook by asking - who is this console for?
As I discussed in the interview, I believe there are two targetted audiences:
- Loyal Xbox gamers with an extensive Xbox Live library, unable or unwilling to invest in a $500 next-gen console but still desires a next-gen experience
- Any gamer who wishes to dive into the Xbox ecosystem at a low price and who mainly buys games digitally to play next-gen
Is this a fantastic move from Microsoft? Yes, it shows that they understand that next-gen consoles are somewhat pricey. As gamers, we can all unanimously agree that it's objectively good for developers to offer budget options. Is this bad news for Sony? I don't know.
For all we know, Sony will also be releasing two consoles at launch, but is patiently waiting. Just like Rocky Balboa, Sony is sitting in his corner and letting Microsoft deal out the first punches, tiring out itself. However, I do think that Sony is waiting for the final round to deliver the knockout blow.
Remember, technical specifications and good prices are great and all, but we all know that exclusive titles are what often determines the console one purchases.
What do you think of this discussion? Let us know in the comment section below!
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