The console war has finally drawn to a close. But the big question remains: Is it still worth grabbing an Xbox in 2024? Xbox, a stalwart of gaming consoles, has found itself in the spotlight more often lately, though not always for the best reasons. Depending on your gaming perspective, you might be eagerly anticipating the latest news or contemplating ditching your Xbox altogether.
But before we dive into the headlines, let’s take stock of the current console lineup. The Xbox Series X and S hit the shelves simultaneously in late 2020. Despite sharing similar hardware with its main competitor, the PS5, the Xbox Series X managed to inch ahead in specs, earning the title of the most powerful home gaming console at the time of release. But Sony isn’t exactly scrambling to reclaim that crown.
However, Xbox had a lot to live up to. In the previous generation, Sony’s PS4 had decisively outperformed the Xbox One, and Sony’s consoles have consistently outsold Xbox in every generation. So, this time around, Xbox needed a win.
Unfortunately, while critics praised their hardware, the launch titles failed to generate the same excitement or urgency as previous console releases. Many of the games couldn’t fully utilize the new hardware or were simply upgraded versions from the Xbox One. The delay of “Halo Infinite,” the flagship launch title, by over a year was a significant blow. Exclusive games have always been a major factor in swaying consumers towards one console or the other, and Sony has held a substantial advantage over Xbox in this area for years. So, it’s no surprise that the lackluster launch, combined with pandemic-related production challenges, has resulted in the PS5 outselling the Xbox Series by more than two-to-one so far.
Certainly!
Is that all? Has the console battle concluded before it even kicked off this generation? Well, if you just glance at the sales figures, it might seem so. But that’s only part of the story.
Why the Series S Exists
Xbox has always forged its own path, whether it’s their timeless controller designs, sticking to AA batteries, or making backward compatibility a cornerstone. They’ve consistently sought their own identity in the gaming world. With console prices skyrocketing and the latest generation launching at a steep $500, they anticipated a demand from gamers who weren’t necessarily chasing the 4K 120Hz gaming experience that the Series X promised. So, they introduced a more budget-friendly, all-digital alternative: the Xbox Series S, priced at nearly half the cost.
If you’ve been following the channel, you know that whenever I embark on a budget gaming challenge, the answer usually ends up being just get a Series S. It’s a tiny powerhouse that can handle current-gen games for only $300, often available for even less during sales. While it technically supports 4K 120, the Series S typically targets resolutions between 1080p and 1440p at either 30 or 60 FPS. And this isn’t just marketing talk. Many initially doubted the Series S, fearing it would struggle with the latest and greatest games. But surprisingly, it’s proven to be quite capable. Even with titles like “Starfield,” a visually demanding Bethesda game that often sets the bar for Xbox exclusives, it runs at a respectable 1440p on the Series S, locked at 30 FPS, just like the Xbox Series X. In my opinion, you won’t find a better gaming experience for the price, which might explain why the Series S makes up over 70% of current-gen Xbox sales. Oh, and did I mention it’s all-digital? That aspect might become important later on.
The Game Pass Revolution
But we can’t talk about Xbox without discussing Game Pass. Back in 2017, inspired by the success of Netflix and Spotify, Xbox asked: why not bring the subscription model to gaming? Understandably, game studios accustomed to selling $60 titles weren’t thrilled about lowering the value of their games. So Game Pass started small, with a handful of older games, more as a test. Initially aimed at the most dedicated Xbox fans, the service slowly gained momentum. As more first-party titles like “Halo” and “Forza” were added, it became increasingly popular. Xbox pitched it to developers as a way to increase player engagement, extend the lifespan of games, and, importantly, boost in-game purchases. Eventually, Game Pass became available to all players, offering a library of over 100 Xbox games spanning generations, all for just $10 a month.
Let me just reiterate that point. All those games are bundled together for just $10 a month. It’s an absolute steal for gamers to hop on board with Game Pass. Think about it: for the price of only two new Xbox games a year, you get access to over 100 titles, with new ones constantly being added. And let’s not forget the best part – having first-party games available on launch day. Sony’s PlayStation might want to take notes on that one. If a Game Pass game doesn’t tickle your fancy, just uninstall it and try something else. But Game Pass didn’t stop there. Game Pass Ultimate came along, bundling the gaming service for Xbox, throwing in PC support, and even including Xbox Live, all for just $15 a month. Yeah, there’s been a slight price bump since the launch, now at $17 per month, but Game Pass remains an absolute hit. When “Halo Infinite” dropped on Game Pass, it pulled in a massive 20 million players – the biggest launch in Xbox Game Studios’ history at the time. A ton of those players probably wouldn’t have forked out full price for “Halo,” but Game Pass gave them the chance to dive into Master Chief’s latest adventures.
Remember when Xbox’s biggest downfall was the lack of exclusive games? Well, Microsoft took that criticism to heart, dropping a cool $80 billion to scoop up game studios like Bethesda, Activision, Blizzard, King, Mojang, and Rare. These studios are behind some of the most iconic titles in gaming – think “Call of Duty,” “Minecraft,” “Fallout,” and “Elder Scrolls.” Microsoft’s spending spree is a clear sign that they mean business. So, it’s no surprise that Game Pass has become Xbox’s ace in the hole. With over 34 million subscribers, it’s the smart move forward. If Xbox can’t outshine Sony in hardware sales, then dominating the software market – where the real money’s at – seems like the next best thing. After all, nobody’s getting rich off selling you a $250 Xbox Series S.
Xbox has had a clear vision for Game Pass since as far back as 2019, emphasizing their aim to make Game Pass available on any device players prefer. Even in 2024, it’s evident that Game Pass remains at the heart of Xbox’s strategy.
Moreover, when you buy a game from Xbox, you’re not just limited to one platform. You get entitlements for both Windows and Xbox, which means you can enjoy your games across a range of devices. This commitment has stayed strong over the years, with Game Pass now accessible not only on Xbox consoles and PCs but also through cloud gaming on Chromebooks, smartphones, tablets, handheld consoles, VR headsets, and even smart TVs.
But what about Xbox on PlayStation? That’s an interesting question. Xbox has announced plans to bring games like “Sea of Thieves” and “Hi-Fi Rush” to both PlayStation and Switch. There are even rumors swirling about major franchises like “Halo” and “Gears of War” making their way to other platforms. But wait, didn’t Microsoft just spend a whopping $80 billion on acquiring exclusives? Indeed, they did, but the success of Game Pass relies on continually refreshing its content library to keep players engaged.
The delay of Bethesda’s “Starfield” was a setback for Game Pass, leaving a significant gap between major exclusives early in the Series X generation. Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, admitted that this threw off Game Pass growth, though exact figures remain undisclosed. Some speculate that by making Xbox exclusives available on other platforms, Microsoft hopes to make up for some of this lost growth.
This shift in strategy marks a significant change for Xbox exclusives. Even PlayStation, known for keeping its games exclusive, has started branching out to other platforms like PC, though not yet to Xbox. It’s fascinating to see how the gaming industry continues to evolve.
So, let’s talk about where Xbox is headed. It’s pretty clear they’re doubling down on Game Pass and game streaming, making subscriptions a big focus. But does that mean the end of Xbox consoles? Not so fast. There’s been this massive leak revealing Xbox’s roadmap for the next five years, including plans for a new console codenamed “Brooklin.” Think of it as a beefed-up version of the Series X, like what Sony did with the PS5 Slim.
This “Brooklin” console sounds fancy, with more storage, faster Wi-Fi, and better energy efficiency. But here’s the kicker: it’s all digital. Yep, no disc drive. Cue the panic about the future of physical games. People are worried their collections will be worthless. But Xbox bigwig Phil Spencer says they’re not ditching discs on purpose. Still, who knows how long they’ll stick around?
And let’s not forget the controller. There’s this new one in the works, codenamed “Sebile.” Word is, it’s a game-changer, with better haptics, thumbsticks, and some cool cloud features. If it’s anything like what the leaks suggest, it could be the highlight of 2024.
But here’s the thing: leaked docs are one thing, but plans can change fast in the gaming world. Tech moves at lightning speed, and Xbox is always tweaking its strategy. So, take all this with a grain of salt. Who knows what the future holds for Xbox? Only time will tell.
So, here’s the scoop on Xbox’s grand plan. It’s crystal clear they’re shifting gears toward digital services and content, dialing down the hardware and exclusivity focus, and aiming for ubiquity. I mean, who’d have thought we might be gaming on a Samsung fridge soon, right? Given this shift, is it even worth snagging Xbox hardware in 2024? Well, if you’re after a budget-friendly option for current-gen gaming, the Series S is still a solid bet, often going for way less than its $300 tag. As for holding out for the Brooklin Xbox Series X refresh, it might not offer much more punch than the regular Series X, especially with all the discounts flying around. And if the leaks are true, it could be your last shot at enjoying your disc collection or snagging older titles on the cheap. But fret not if you’re worried Xbox will ditch consoles altogether. Even with software taking the lead, there’s plenty of incentive for them to keep hardware in the game. But don’t expect Xbox to fully embrace the digital future overnight. That transition will take time, possibly not even in this generation. If you’re eyeing the horizon, investing in beefing up your PC might be the smarter move. You’ll get more power and, with Game Pass leading the way, access to a ton of games, even from PlayStation. Or hey, maybe hold out for that Switch 2 everyone’s buzzing about.