Xbox Are Shaking Things Up As The Next Generation Quickly Approaches
Last week was a very busy week for Xbox. As the next generation looms large, Xbox is making changes left, right and center to just about every facet of their business.
Xbox Live
First up, we have the news that you can no longer purchase a 12 month subscription for Xbox Live. This news comes to us via True Achievements where a Microsoft spokesperson had the following to say.
“At this time, Xbox has decided to remove the 12 months Xbox Live Gold SKU from the Microsoft online Store. Customers can still sign up for a one month or three month Xbox Live Gold subscription online through the Microsoft Store.”
Although Microsoft have removed the option to buy a 12 month subscription, they have offered no reason as to why they’ve done it. This has sparked various discussions online. Some people think that Microsoft are going to make Xbox Live a completely free service going forward.
While this would put Sony in a tough spot, it wouldn’t make much sense financially for Microsoft. Xbox Live is a major cash cow for the Redmond giant. In my opinion, Xbox Live is the best online gaming service out there. The money they take in from Xbox Live subscriptions helps to maintain that service and possibly make it even better in the future.
Other people are of the opinion that Microsoft might remove Xbox Live subscriptions altogether and make Game Pass Ultimate the standard for playing games online on the platform. While I can see this happening, it would certainly piss some players off.
A month of Xbox Live is about €6, depending on how you pay for it of course. Game Pass Ultimate currently sets me back €12.99 a month. Making people pay more for Live, especially if they are not interested in Game Pass, might blow up in their face. Hopefully Xbox removes the pay wall altogether, it would certainly be a major statement of intent heading into the next generation.
Discontinued Consoles
Last week we also got the news that Microsoft are to discontinue both the Xbox One X and the Xbox One S All Digital consoles. In a statement to The Verge, a Microsoft spokesperson said the following.
“As we ramp into the future with Xbox Series X, we’re taking the natural step of stopping production on Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, Xbox One S will continue to be manufactured and sold globally.”
This might come as a surprise to some but in reality it needs to be done. When the Xbox Series X and possibly Lockhart, or the Xbox Series S, are released later this year, Microsoft will have three consoles on sale. The Xbox One S, the Series X and the Series S. For the average consumer that might be baffling enough. But if there were five different Xbox consoles on the shelf for the next generation, it would lead to utter confusion for Mum and Dad looking to buy their child an Xbox for Christmas.
Also, looking further into this might provide a glimpse of what to expect down the road. Especially with regards to the Xbox One S All Digital console and Lockhart. You see, it is heavily rumoured that Lockhart will have no disc drive. Again, having two disc-less machines on the market would lead to unnecessary confusion.
Removing the Xbox One X from production is a no-brainer. With Lockhart on the way, the Xbox One X kinda becomes redundant. No point having the Xbox One S as the entry level machine, then having two mid level consoles in the One X and Series S, with the Series X left to cater to the hardcore market for next generation.
Xcloud
Along with changes to Xbox Live subscriptions and the two consoles been discontinued. Xbox are also making changes to xCloud. From September, xCloud and Game Pass Ultimate will be joining forces at no additional cost to current subscribers. Phil Spencer shared the news in a recent blog post on news.xbox.com. Below is a snippet of what Phil had to say.
Finally, today we’re announcing that this September, in supported countries, we’re bringing Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud together at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.
This is fantastic news in my opinion. Game Pass Ultimate already offers exceptional value for money as it is. Adding xCloud at no additional cost to members is just the icing on the cake. And whether you think game streaming is the future or not. As a Game Pass Ultimate member, you’ll be able to try the service out this September and decide for yourself.
Last week was certainly a busy week for Xbox news. And this week could be even bigger with the Xbox Games Showcase event on Thursday focusing on next generation titles. But what do you think? Would you like to see Xbox Live become a free service? What do you think of the two consoles been discontinued? Will you be giving xCloud a go come this September? Please feel free to leave any thoughts you have in the comments below.
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