I don't know... why would people buy the Series S at all? Will they really perceive a console which is weaker in terms of graphics than a current Xbox as next-gen? And without a boatload of stunning games to go with it? I think this is gonna be a rather hard sell outside of the hardcore Microsoft / Xbox fanbase. Maybe a good upgrade for owners of the OG Xbox who also know for a fact that they will be stuck with a FullHD TV for years to come, but outside of that group, I don't see the big appeal for anyone who actually craves next-gen power.

Quote from: Ralph on June 20, 2020, 10:31:39
I don't see the ¨hurt¨ for PS5 here. Nobody that could afford a new PS5 will buy this ultra basic version of an Xbox X because it is cheaper. In fact, nobody that owns a previous PS system will go for an Xbox as cheap as it could be.

Wait, nobody that owns any kind of PlayStation would buy an Xbox? Ever? That's a bit much, no? I own a PS2, PS3 and PS4, (also a 360 and Xbone), and I'm definitely getting an XSX. Might want to be a bit more precise with your wording there.

Brand loyalty is definitely a thing, but for the vast hordes of people who buy a console to play the latest Fifa/Madden/Whatever, a cheaper console that does "the same" could be a powerful value proposition as long as it is still tangibly better than the previous generation. And a big part of the point here is that not a lot of people can afford a $599 console, and even $499 is often a stretch. History shows that console sales take off when pricing nears $300.

I don't see the ¨hurt¨ for PS5 here. Nobody that could afford a new PS5 will buy this ultra basic version of an Xbox X because it is cheaper. In fact, nobody that owns a previous PS system will go for an Xbox as cheap as it could be.

Amazing rumour! Microsoft already did this strategy all the all back in Xbox 360, where they took a massive loss to sell it at USD$/€299 (core system) and USD$/€399 (premium).

The point is, the Series X must match whatever pricepoint Sony has for their PS5 "Digital Edition". Sony has the mindshare with their games catalog, so Microsoft cannot command the price tag they should have.

Oh, and they also need to stress the Forza brand a little bit more. Sony trumpets GT everytime they can. Forza has not reason to be shy, in fact, it goes far beyond just the simulator thanks to Horizon (and the great DLC content that always follows in Horizon). Be shameless, show the hotwheels expansion of FH3, then the Lego expansion of FH4, and end the presentation with the tone of "something even crazier to follow, soon(TM)" -- because that's all that Sony does, hypes stuff that will take years to deliver.

They could do it. Microsoft has some money to burn it. But the question is Playstation brand is very popular in Asia and Europe, they are more loyal to Playstation brand than Xbox brand. Time will tell if that will shift or not.

This is 100% BS.
No way they are taking that big a loss, it'll be pretty futile anyway , SONY dominates globally.

Yeah, I'll believe this when I see it. As in: never, as it's not going to happen. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but ... nope.

The sales on japan alone is the biggest headstart for the PS5.