Official Xbox: Series X | Series S Thread

[Mister Pink]

On 4/17/2020 at 3:59 PM, MrBreak16 said:

So what does Xbox does better than the PlayStation?

 

I can tell you some positives and some negatives about Xbox but otherwise, I'm not saying anything is better than this or that. I don't want this to devolve in to a console war. So, I'll try be fair and factual and of course, I'll mix my own opinion. 

 

• One X, it's the most powerful console right now and Series X aims to keep that title. That's not saying PS5 wont be great. It will. But Series X, has more power, so far. 

 

• Game Pass is arguably the best gaming service for consoles right now. "The Netflix of gaming." Xbox exclusives get released on it day one. There are also about 150+ games on it. It's a great way to try new games. Also a great way to test new games too. XCloud, Xbox's new gaming cloud-gaming service will allow you to play anywhere.

 

• Xbox direction is really strong at the moment. What it lacks is big, story-driven and adult exclusives that PS5 has. There are Xbox exclusives that are good but they're games that have huge multiplayer sides to them; Halo, Foza: Motorsport & Forza: Horizon series, that alternate almost yearly with  releases, Gears of War (couldn't get in to it) and State of Decay 1 + 2. Xbox bought the studio that makes State of Decay so, we might see this turn into a AAA game, we don't know.  Seas of Thieves is another c-op friendly pirate game. Singleplayer and mature,  there was Quantum Break which is good but I didn't finish it. Games like Fable are in the works and maybe a Perfect Dark Zero reboot. 

 

• PS5 absolutely dominated in first party games. Also, the power and graphics on the base PS4 was nicer than based Xbox One. However, One X, rectified this. 

 

• As for Xbox and it's lack of first party mature titles. Xbox is working on that. They have 15 studios now and they aquired 5 of them last year.  One of those studios is The Initiative....

 

• One of Microsoft's newest internal game studios, The Initiative, has heaps of big-name talent on staff. The company employs Christian Cantamessa, the writer and designer of Red Dead Redemption, as well as God of War producer Brian Westergaard. The Initiative also has veteran employees of Respawn, BioWare, and Naughty Dog among its ranks, while former Square Enix and Activision boss Darrell Gallagher is heading up the studio

 

• Backwards compatibility for all generations. And, we know that Cyberpunk 2077, when the latest version comes out for next gen consoles, we wont have to buy it again, it will be a fee update to modern version of the game. 

 

Who knows what game we're going to get from The Initiative. Could even be open world. Would love that. Other than that, being an Xbox user was OK this gen, just OK. It never felt like a real leap. Game Pass won my heart back and next gen looks like it's undoubtedly a great gen to be an primary Xbox user. We might enjoy this next gen as much as PS5 users enjoyed this current gen. 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2020 by Mister Pink

[MrBreak16]

Apparently the new Xbox is just called "Xbox". Series X is just the model

 

I think I might just call it Xbox X, it sounds good

Edited April 19, 2020 by MrBreak16

[Mister Pink]

8 hours ago, MrBreak16 said:

Apparently the new Xbox is just called "Xbox". Series X is just the model

 

I think I might just call it Xbox X, it sounds good

Yes, because they will announce the "Lockhart" console next month which will probably be the Series S. This will be a digital-only console and hopefully will cost around 300. But we don't know the price.

 

Like the One X it's a part of the Series X - the powerful consoles. And the One S, in included in the Series S. That's my take on it. So they have created a Series, just like BMW has their luxury series and more affordables series. 

[Turan]

15 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

 

 

 

• As for Xbox and it's lack of first party mature titles. Xbox is working on that. They have 15 studios now and they aquired 5 of them last year.  One of those studios is The Initiative....

 

• One of Microsoft's newest internal game studios, The Initiative, has heaps of big-name talent on staff. The company employs Christian Cantamessa, the writer and designer of Red Dead Redemption, as well as God of War producer Brian Westergaard. The Initiative also has veteran employees of Respawn, BioWare, and Naughty Dog among its ranks, while former Square Enix and Activision boss Darrell Gallagher is heading up the studio

 

 

 

This is what gets me excited about the Xbox next-gen. They know they've been lacklustre in terms of exclusives so it is really nice seeing them step up. 

I am especially intrigued about The Initiative and the action-rpg game Playground Games is working on. Then there is Obsidian as well. Fingers crossed those games will be top tier like the Nintendo and Sony games.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Turan

[Mister Pink]

1 hour ago, Turan said:

This is what gets me excited about the Xbox next-gen. They know they've been lacklustre in terms of exclusives so it is really nice seeing them step up. 

I am especially intrigued about The Initiative and the action-rpg game Playground Games is working on. Then there is Obsidian as well. Fingers crossed those games will be top tier like the Nintendo and Sony games.

Yes, and I suppose once they new their base wasn't going to be big as PS5, the opportunity to make more niche or specilalized genres, or even take risks is reduced. Playstation with their 100m+ userbase opens options to market exclusive titles. You could argue that 50 million is a big enough base too given only about 13 million people on Playstation bought the best selling exclusive. But that's 13 million of 100 million. It's crazy, really. I think thats why by the time  Spencer took over, it was better to refocus on hardware (One S and One X) and services. It was a bit too late to start taking costly risks on exclusive games with only half the userbase of PlayStation.

 

Thankfully, they nailed services (Game Pass) and now they've got the hardware and the studios. Now we just got to reap the rewards.  

 

And yes, I love a good action RPG.  It's all ready almost confirmed that it's Fable 4. They also said they're going for a more real/detailed art-direction much like The Witcher 3, which will be nice. 

 

Never played Fable, probably because Skyrim was my first type of fantasy type game. But now I know how enjoyable they can be so I'll definitely pick-up Fable day one. 

 

 

[Jason]

Yea Microsoft's plan is exciting, they've bought up tons of talent, the question is of course when does this stuff start flowing out and will it have that high quality we're all wanting. I'm hopeful but I think it might take them a little while to start firing on all cylinders.

 

I'd also agree that Games Pass is also the absolute best subscription service out there. Not only are you getting MS first party games day 1 (along with some other non-first party) they add new games all the time to it. I genuinely think it's Microsoft's ace up their sleeve right now, it's a lowkey system seller and I fully expect they'll be pushing it hard when they are in the peak of their next-gen marketing.

 

Like honestly, a bunch of us have talked back and forth about Sony and Xbox recently but this feels like the first gen in a while (ever?) where there's no wrong choice. 

[Turan]

3 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

Yes, and I suppose once they new their base wasn't going to be big as PS5, the opportunity to make more niche or specilalized genres, or even take risks is reduced. Playstation with their 100m+ userbase opens options to market exclusive titles. You could argue that 50 million is a big enough base too given only about 13 million people on Playstation bought the best selling exclusive. But that's 13 million of 100 million. It's crazy, really. I think thats why by the time  Spencer took over, it was better to refocus on hardware (One S and One X) and services. It was a bit too late to start taking costly risks on exclusive games with only half the userbase of PlayStation.

 

Thankfully, they nailed services (Game Pass) and now they've got the hardware and the studios. Now we just got to reap the rewards.  

 

And yes, I love a good action RPG.  It's all ready almost confirmed that it's Fable 4. They also said they're going for a more real/detailed art-direction much like The Witcher 3, which will be nice. 

 

Never played Fable, probably because Skyrim was my first type of fantasy type game. But now I know how enjoyable they can be so I'll definitely pick-up Fable day one. 

 

 

 

It is true that the majority of the PS4 owners buy the console so they can play games like COD, GTA, FIFA etc. The exclusives are merely extra's (or not even that). But I'd argue that exclusives are still important for consoles, because exclusives are the draw for gaming enthusiasts (like you and me) who spend more money on gaming than your average gamer. Winning us over for their platform is probably more important for Sony and Microsoft than winning over a guy who only plays COD or FIFA. We simply spend more money in their ecosystems. 

 

If it wasn't for the PS4 exclusives I would've sold my Pro and went for the Xbox One X. 

 

Hopefully next-gen I won't have to choose one console. I plan on buying both for the first time ever (though I'm still in a wait and see mode for the XSX). 

2 hours ago, Jason said:

Yea Microsoft's plan is exciting, they've bought up tons of talent, the question is of course when does this stuff start flowing out and will it have that high quality we're all wanting. I'm hopeful but I think it might take them a little while to start firing on all cylinders.

 

I'd also agree that Games Pass is also the absolute best subscription service out there. Not only are you getting MS first party games day 1 (along with some other non-first party) they add new games all the time to it. I genuinely think it's Microsoft's ace up their sleeve right now, it's a lowkey system seller and I fully expect they'll be pushing it hard when they are in the peak of their next-gen marketing.

 

Like honestly, a bunch of us have talked back and forth about Sony and Xbox recently but this feels like the first gen in a while (ever?) where there's no wrong choice. 

 

Yep, both companies are doing the right thing in my eyes as well. 

[Mister Pink]

Unofficial release of the Series X logo. It was registered by Microsoft and someone caught wind of it. 

 

 

At first, I was like... meh. It's too spread out or something. I would like to see it more condensed. But then I realized it works on its side too, which is nice as logo (if it's on the console, might turn it on its side and it still makes sense). 

 

It also reminds me of some logo from the 90s. Like Generation X or X-games or X-Worx. Loads of "X" things in the 90s. 

 

Edited April 23, 2020 by Mister Pink

[Jason]

Don't hate it, don't particularly like it either. Doesn't seem Xbox-y to me but then again it sounds like "Xbox" is the console and "Series X" is the variant, Lockhart will probably be "Series S" or something. So as long as the Xbox logo aint looking like that then I aint fussed.

[Mister Pink]

On 4/23/2020 at 5:14 PM, Jason said:

sounds like Xbox" is the console and "Series X" is the variant, Lockhart will probably be "Series S" or something

That's what I've been saying since December!  ...

 

On 12/13/2019 at 10:36 PM, Mister Pink said:

The name, yeah, It is a bit weird, or was a bit weird at first but then I changed my mind.  I think it's the standard premium. One X is part of the "X" series. And the generation after next gen will have an "X" and that will be series X too. I think it's just like car models. Like the BMW 5 Series. It's been in existence since 1972 and it new iterations each "generation" come out. 

 

My bet, and I just thought of this now, is that when Lockhart is revealed we might get real names for both. I think Series X is a generic term for the Xbox premium line of consoles. This is an awful suggestion but for example, it might be called the Xbox Two X or Xbox 2X. We don't know until we get a full reveal. Remember, it's really early to reveal the consoles. Normally it doesn't happen until E3. 

 

Next month we should get a reveal on games early next month

https://www.windowscentral.com/okay-lets-talk-about-current-xbox-rumors-may-and-june-events-lockhart-revealed-and-more

 

Xbox's event was apparently "leaked" and we might see Lockhart, games and a new headset. 

[Jason]

Yea I know the name thing has been around for a while but as long as Lockhart is unannounced the next Xbox is always gonna be referred to as the Series X.

 

Also yea it sounds like next month is where A LOT of stuff is going to get announced. Seems like this is gonna be the start of all the pre-E3 info that comes out plus E3 reveals that got canned cause E3 was cancelled. Should be good.

[Turan]

I don't really care about Lockheart. What I wanna see next month in the Xbox event is:

- Gameplay trailer and release date announcement for Elden Ring (could be my personal GOAT)

- Announcements of new Xbox exclusives 

 

And outside of the Xbox event:

- Reveal of the PS5 and new date for TLOU part II

 

If these things happen I'll be more than happy. 

[Jason]

Yea Lockhart concerns me more than it excites me, but we'll see.

 

I just wanna see games my self, I know the whole world has come to a stand still but some announcements, trailers/gameplay and info for new/upcoming games would be a nice distraction.

[Mister Pink]

Absolutely. Hope we get to see Fable 4 but more importantly for me something new!

[Jason]

Super curious to see what a Fable reboot will look and play like tbh, especially with Playground doing it. Always interesting to see a studio try a completely new genre - albeit I know they opened up a new studio and hired for this project so they probably have a bunch of RPG experience in the team I'm guessing.

[Turan]

17 hours ago, Jason said:

Yea Lockhart concerns me more than it excites me, but we'll see.

 

I just wanna see games my self, I know the whole world has come to a stand still but some announcements, trailers/gameplay and info for new/upcoming games would be a nice distraction.

 Why does Lockheart concern you?

[Jason]

26 minutes ago, Turan said:

 Why does Lockheart concern you?

The possibility of it holding back next-gen titles.

 

Games are often held back by the least powerful console, if Lockhart is less powerful then developers will have to make games around the limitations. If it has a slower SSD, or no SSD at all, then that's also a major blow for next-gen titles.

 

I mean, to put it another way, One X and PS4 Pro are the best places to play games on console and there's games out there that run like sh*t on the base versions of the PS4 and Xbox One. So I don't have much hope for developers having a good time with Lockhart lol. 

[Turan]

11 hours ago, Jason said:

The possibility of it holding back next-gen titles.

 

Games are often held back by the least powerful console, if Lockhart is less powerful then developers will have to make games around the limitations. If it has a slower SSD, or no SSD at all, then that's also a major blow for next-gen titles.

 

I mean, to put it another way, One X and PS4 Pro are the best places to play games on console and there's games out there that run like sh*t on the base versions of the PS4 and Xbox One. So I don't have much hope for developers having a good time with Lockhart lol. 

 This was something on my mind as well. But apparently a lot of developers have already assured that Lockhart won’t hold back next-gen game design because it shares the same architecture as the Series X. The only important difference appears to be the GPU. 
 

Hopefully this is true. Otherwise I’m gonna be actively disliking the existence of Lockhart lol. 

[Jason]

I hope it's true, but I don't see how they can take full advantage around the XSX/PS5 hardware and do stuff we've never seen before if they have to make these games work on a noticeably less powerful console too. Guess we'll have to see the spec list and what not, but it doesn't make sense in my head but hey I'm no game dev.

[EmagmaLak]

On 4/27/2020 at 9:42 AM, Mister Pink said:

Absolutely. Hope we get to see Fable 4 

 

Yep yep yep yep yep. One more time for those in the back... Yep. 

I still place Fable 2 in my top 5. Would love to see a comeback. 

 

 

[GTA3Rockstar]

 

[Mister Pink]

All the leaks coming through Dealer Gaming, Colt Eastwood and Zalker and all those guys has been spot on. I wouldn't be surprised if those leaks were deliberate. You know, leak to Xbox-centric and Xbox-positive channels. Their reach is mostly a dedicated fanbase anyway. It's great through because all the things they've been saying, even Lockhart still in existence have come true. 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Oh yes! The new start-up chime in all it's beautiful ambient charm. 

 

 

 

Other news: 

 

Microsoft to slowly reveal Xbox Series X details through a monthly video series. 

First one is May 7th!

It's called Xbox 20/20.

YouTube will be hosting a 4K live stream. 

Source: Endgaget

Also, Project X Cloud is going to be a part of Game Pass. Not surprising but it's confirmed. So that's nice. Wouldn't be surprised if the price goes up a little. 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2020 by Mister Pink

[JON22]

I might try to save up for it just to hear that sound. Then I'll turn it off and put it on again. And again.

 

 

 

 

.....and again.

[Mister Pink]

1 hour ago, JON22 said:

I might try to save up for it just to hear that sound. Then I'll turn it off and put it on again. And again.

 

 

 

 

.....and again.

It sounds like a beautiful, digital, sigh of relief  

[DEALUX]

On 4/30/2020 at 10:28 PM, Mister Pink said:

All the leaks coming through Dealer Gaming, Colt Eastwood and Zalker and all those guys has been spot on. I wouldn't be surprised if those leaks were deliberate. You know, leak to Xbox-centric and Xbox-positive channels. Their reach is mostly a dedicated fanbase anyway. It's great through because all the things they've been saying, even Lockhart still in existence have come true. 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Oh yes! The new start-up chime in all it's beautiful ambient charm. 

 

 

 

Other news: 

 

Microsoft to slowly reveal Xbox Series X details through a monthly video series. 

First one is May 7th!

It's called Xbox 20/20.

YouTube will be hosting a 4K live stream. 

Source: Endgaget

Also, Project X Cloud is going to be a part of Game Pass. Not surprising but it's confirmed. So that's nice. Wouldn't be surprised if the price goes up a little. 

 

 

Sounds like old Windows start up sounds. Makes me really nostalgic.

[Mister Pink]

 

[DEALUX]

Motherf*cking Scorn. I was following the development for that game for a while. If Microsoft bought that studio too that's a smart move. The game could be a serious competitor to Doom.

 

 

[Mister Pink]

Not sure if they bought it because they said Xbox Game Studios reveal is next month. But you never know. This looks great, anyway. Looks exactly like HR Giger, piece. 

 

 

[Creed Bratton]

None of what was shown looked next-gen. I guess it will take some time, since they're still not willing to abandon the Xbox One. But I remember first gameplay footage of Xbox 360 and the PS3 games, and the first footage of Xbox One and PS4 games. You could see the generational leap quite clearly.

[DEALUX]

There is no such a thing as next gen anymore. Yes, the new consoles will have more power but not that huge. A true "next generation" leap will be when we'll actually be able to do full ray tracing in real time. There's only so much you can do to improve raster graphics.