The Verge.com has confirmed a report of a twitter user buying a Next Gen Xbox Controller, the packaging of said controller had a list of compatible devices listed on the back of the box. The list includes “Xbox Series X/S” as one of the compatible devices.
This confirms the existence of the long rumored budget Xbox Series S console. While Microsoft has yet to confirm the existence of a white controller, the design and button of the controller pictured on the box match the controller previously revealed by the company.
It is expected that the console will be officially announced sometime this month, along with the official pricing of both models (otherwise how can they illustrate the price differential between both machines?).
The Xbox Series S, is rumored to feature some interesting technical spec numbers. The numbers include: 7.5 GB of RAM and a 4 teraflop GPU, which would put the system under the Current Xbox One X specs, though the components are newer and the CPU is rumored to be a match of the one used in the more powerful Xbox Series X.
These numbers hint at a system than will run the very same games that the Series X can run, but at much lower resolutions. Considering how Halo Infinite has suffered from having to run on the base Xbox One S, the Serie S’s existence will also spark certain debates as to how the Xbox Series X can truly deliver next gen experiences when Developers are forced to take into account the lower spec hardware.
The difference in GPU is too wide between the two consoles, with the Series X being 3 times as powerful in that regard. Many will point out to the fact that the Xbox One X is nearly 6 times as powerful as the Xbox One S, and yet Microsoft has kept its promise of games running on both devices. However, because we have never seen a game developed from the ground up to take advantage of the Xbox One X, it is unclear how much the base console held back the premium console in current generation projects.
The now assured existence ( at perhaps launch) of the budget Xbox Series S has numbered the days that Xbox One S has remaining in its life cycle. I see no reason for Microsoft to keep manufacturing and selling the device when there is a replacement for the machine on the way.
The Xbox One X was recently discontinued by the company, as clearly, the Xbox Series X seems to be poised to enter the market that at the same price point of $399-$499. Microsoft’s reveal curiously left out “Xbox One” compatibility on most of the future Xbox Series X games, this is a clear reversal of their previous “no Xbox One owner left behind” policy.
It is unclear whether first party studios will still support the Xbox One systems, or whether Microsoft is easing up on the policy and allowing studios to decide whether to keep supporting the platform or not. In the interest of “Next-Gen” gaming, and the Xbox Series X/S sales it would seem that the later approach would be the more appropriate response.
Still, the Xbox Series S is coming, and gamers unwilling to shell out $399 or more at launch now have a more affordable option to enjoy the Series X’s game catalogue.