It's never been harder to buy an Xbox One

Yesterday should've been a triumphant day for Microsoft. The Xbox One S is, on paper, a fantastic iteration on what was already a solid console. It's a thin, striking machine with 4K and HDR support, and a seriously attractive proposition for those that don't have an Xbox One already. (By all accounts, that's the vast majority of gamers). But then Microsoft did something crazy: It announced the next next Xbox, codenamed Project Scorpio. And now... why would anyone buy an Xbox One S?

[Eonjay]

"But then Microsoft did something crazy: It announced the next next Xbox" lol

So the way I see it if you want an Xbox One, you should get the S because honestly, unless you are rocking a PC or PS4 you are going to be missing an incredible year of gaming. The Scorpio is nearly 18 months away, and by then everything could be on its head so TRUST me what you see today will mean nothing by then.

So if you want an Xbox I say go for it. Don't get left behind when there are great games out today, I don't think the Scorpio is much of an issue until you are at least 6 months to launch. Like if this was E3 2017, then we could really consider it. And yes I know this whole thing is really weird, no one announces a 2 consoles successors ahead of time. But thats why I would advise people to ignore Scorpio for now.... It is weird and it doesn't make sense so ignore it.

Edit: I forgot one small point: If you are choosing between the Original Xbox One and the S model, then yes, wait for the S by all means or wait a few weeks for the original Xbox Ones to come down in price some more,

[Erik7357]

"wow...I get a constricted high end gaming pc...wow"

Like does no one see that? Its not hard.... you already have your xbox scorpio it just doesn't have the xbox logo on it and it doesn't charge you to play online.

lmao , and it makes it worse when every xbox exclusive is on pc AND YOU CAN CROSS PLAY WITH XBOX GAMERS so why even bother with going with Scorpio when you already have a scorpio for those xbox games, and its called PC.

And i'm not trolling i'm being dead serious in saying that!

[iamnsuperman]

"Like does no one see that? Its not hard.... you already have your xbox Scorpio it just doesn't have the xbox logo on it and it doesn't charge you to play online"

Which is why I think these 2.0s are a waste of time. They are going to cost and once they cost too much that it goes into the PC build territory people are turned off. You remove a major advantage to why console have succeeded for so long

[ZeroX9876]

ease of setup and couch gaming. Some gamers just doesn't want to mess with a PC, even if between you and me it's super easy nowadays.

The day when you can start your PC by pressing power on,it goes directly in the main menu, automatic updates for everything in one single click without any user interaction but clicking "I accept" and you know that every game that shows in the store runs perfectly on your PC build without ever needing to check the "required pecs", Only then will lots of those console gamers will switch to PC.

until then, the Xbox Scorpio and the PS4 Neo has a market to be sold to.

[dcbronco]

That's the thing though, they are going to be $400 consoles. If anything it will be harder for Sony to sell 4K if Scorpio is also $400. As for the Slim people always seem to think the early adopter and the average gamer are the same thing. They aren't. Early adopters buy at launch, mainstream gamers buy when the price hits the sweet spot of $299. Early adopters will buy Scorpio regardless of timing and mainstream will buy Slim because that is their price point. Everyone is happy.

[Eonjay]

No, I think regardless of what people want to believe, Microsoft knows you are right.
They don't give a damn if you buy the Xbox One a Windows 10 PC.
I already have a Windows 10 PC so as far as Microsoft is concerned, I'm good. The war is over. Sony won the console war and Microsoft finally returned back to PC where they started. This is literally the best case situation for all involved. Even Xbox gamers. Just find what works for you. The content is there.

[pyroxxx]

@Eonjay ,.. That is exactly why xbox really is dead in the console market,.. It is going to be MS branded Steam machine, that wont even run Steam,.. It is ridiculous way to pull out of the console market,.. but MS does stupid really well.

[darthv72]

Despite the Scorpio announcement I am more than happy to pick up an Xb1. The regular units are $279 and the slims will be $299 starting price. The slims have a few improvements and I really dig the design and ability to now stand the unit upright.

I'd say the decision is pretty easy for me. XB1 Slim it is. august can't come soon enough. And I'd even wager they will have a special blood splattered Gears edition. seeing that white console with the same markings as the elite controller.... can't wait.

[BlackTar187]

@DCBRONCO i am putting in for $500 launch scorpio. I highly doubt it will be $400.

I also thin kXbox has done nothing but hurt it's brand since RROD. I seriously don't see any positive image they've been able to convey to the public since then and really it's only gotten worse.

[theRedDragon]

The thing is this is somewhat different than previous generations. This is the first time a new console will be forward compatible with a game console of today. Since it is not like if you buy a Xbox One S today, all your games will be obsolete by the time the Scorpio arrives. All your in investments on current and future titles and accessories will in fact all be compatible with the Scorpio and vice versa.

This is a smart move as it is telling the audience that Xbox will be supported well in the future and you can choose to invest it in now and get a great console that plays the same games with 4k Hd video support on either at a great price or choose the Scorpio for higher graphics fidelity if you wanted to. It is all part of the same Xbox One family. They are in fact putting out a foundation and their plans to gamers of what is going to be of Xbox in the future. So I say it was an ingenious announcement by MS.

[Eonjay]

I disagree because it just still doesn't make sense to say we are building a super powerful console... right after announcing the S model. There is no way around that. If you wanted to get the message across, you make it as simple as possible and you use something people already are used to to explain it. And behold, this should be obvious... its the PC. Just say: Xbox consoles will now function like PCs. You will be able to upgrade it and you will still have access to all of your games but you will enjoy the benefits of the upgrade... JUST LIKE PC!

You can't expect people who just come off of a 8 year console cycle to suddenly be offered one choice while dangling the future in front of them. From my perspective (yeah thats my opinion lol) I would have announced the S model and then, around E3 2017, I would have announced the Project Scorpio. First, you remove doubt from consumer waiting only to find that it might be out of their price range... and Secondly in what universe is it sound to give your whole strategy away to your competitor? I think its dumb. Sony is going to do what they do. Sony leaked Neo... Microsoft is playing their game now. It sounds silly, but I don't trust Sony... as a corporation I mean. They are very very sneaky.

[MCTJim]

I'll give my oldest my day one, buy the slim and save for the Scorpio next year. 20 bucks a week for 50 weeks will give me 1000 bucks to spoil myself with. I am guessing about 400-500 for the scorpio...enough left over for a couple of games and an extra controller.

edit: and I just have to buy once..and I get it on all platforms..what a freaking steal!!

[nX]

Yeah now that you say it 20 bucks a week for 50 weeks just to play the same games with higher resolution really sounds like the defintion of a steal... but who's stealing here?

[ThePope]

Ask the PS4 fanboys according to them all that matters is graphics they can tell the difference between 1080 and 1079 in 2 seconds flat.

You know now to mention it I haven't seen much from them today...hmm

[BlackTar187]

It's hillarious hearing that from you Pope when Xbox fanbiys can't get enough of how awesome the power is in scorpio. It's as if you're doing it to poke fun at xbox fanboys like yourself. Good times ahead indeed.

[DeadlyOreo]

The Pope

What a waste of a comment, just fan boy drivel.

In no way have you contributed anything worthwhile with that.

You haven't seen much of them today? Why are you looking? Grow up.

[Artemidorus]

My guess is 699 for the Scorpio

[Errorist76]

Never ever. 499 max

[Yetter]

MS is smarter than that. If they can't get it out for 500$ or less they wouldn't do it. Wouldn't be surprised if they take a loss on the console for the first year or so

[pyroxxx]

@Yetter ,.. You would think MS is smarter? What made you think that,.. They seam like they are leaving the console market by making another console,.. Seams pretty retarded to me,..

[PutridPlop]

You think like me. lol

[notachance]

why would you even buy both slim and scorpio... just buy one and the rest of the money could've went to PS4 and NX and you'll have the entirety of console gaming on your home.

[MCTJim]

already own the PS4 and have pre-ordered PSVR . I am not even interested in the NX at this point. I think the NX is a mobile unit and base unit for xtra HP.

[opinionated]

That's such a dumb way of looking at things. You're basically saying that you would rather Microsoft waited for you to buy a slim before they announced their top tier console releasing 12 months later. They told you for a reason, if waiting for the Scorpio is more to your liking then the slim obviously isn't for you. Microsoft isn't the dumb one in this discussion. The slim sales will be fine and it will become the standard bottom tier at $299.

[gamer1138]

This ^^^^^

[slate91]

Its funny. People are spinning themselves around so much that now the argument is they WANTED MS to screw them by announcing the slim this year and the scorpion next year lol.
"No MS! Youre dumb! Tell me to buy the slim this year to get my money, then turn around at e3 2017 and tell me to buy the scorpio!"

[opinionated]

Can you imagine how pissed off people would be lol? It's negative news really but they are hammering the wrong points.

No more exclusives spun into the free copy cross play. Rendering the OG X1 shit tier but announcing the affordable slim at 299 with 4K HDR bluray/4K game upscaling with an elite controller. Specs that can compete with the rumored neo with a solid price? Microsoft did a great job jumping back into the game. They have all but admitted failure to compete with their X1 and they are making big moves. They spun the negative beautifully.

The dirt cheap OG console will still serve in killing the 360 for good. Microsoft wants a seamless experience across all of their platforms including PC. That's the change. For better or worse, we'll see..

[Artemidorus]

Let's get something clear the Scorpio is for the rich or the hardcore.

The Xbox One S is for the casuals with 4K TVs

The Xbox One is for ripped off fans who overpaid for a poor machine.

[deviliscry]

Wrong on your lastone,fans will get ripped 3 times

[Manic2014]

I got to be honest, Sony have confirmed plans for the NEO, does it make it harder to buy the PS4?
Difference is MS have given the specs and a rough date for it's release.

My answer is the Xbox One S will sell fine, especially for it's price and options. Scorpio is till over a year away. Same goes for NEO, although the rumours are saying they'll release it this year.

[MatrixxGT]

Thank you.

[ThePope]

Nothing makes it hard to buy a PS4. Sony could discontinue it and it will sell like hot cacks /s

Come on man this is N4G.

[Eonjay]

This is actually true tho...

[BlackTar187]

Yea POPE cause PS brand gets GAMES and a ton of Games like they always do on every Playstation console. Can't say the same for the other console. Let's not get into game counts that would be childish :p

The world has chosen PS4 it's not just N4g.com. It's hilarious to think there is some safe haven out there filled with xbox only fans/ The truth is the sales represent the respected communities and ps4 has 2x as many and thus you see that translated onto websites.

[DeadManMMX]

....last time I checked it was at number 2 on amazon.com those people don't seem to be having trouble. People write the silliest articles.

[OpenGL]

I felt like announcing the Scorpio this early was a mistake and will harm Xbox One and One S sales. The announcement was too early to show off anything, including games, target renders, tech demos, or hardware or any kind. I already own the PS4 and Xbox One so I probably wasn't going to buy a One S anyway but I still find the double announcement very confusing.

[slate91]

Did you miss the part in the speech where he specifically stated they announced this early to give developers time?

[GUTZnPAPERCUTZ]

Why? Because it's $299 has HDR, Upscales X1 games to 4k, has a 4k bluray player, Any game that uses dynamic resolution like Halo 5, DOOM, The Division, Fallout 4, etc. will be able to lock the game at 1080p with the upgraded CPU and GPU, games will have a more solid frame rate as well, etc. do I need to name more? If people want an X1 that is better and has added features for the same price then of course people are going to buy it. If people want to wait for the 6TFLOP beast than they will do that as well lol

[Kribwalker]

Exactly. And I will trade my day one for $200 and get the s for $100. Later I will buy the scorpio and move my other boxes around

[Lennoxb63]

Nooo. On N4G it can only be one or the other. You can't buy both or wait for the other one. That would be absurd. lol

[lastking95]

"6TFLOP beast"
*6TFLOP monster, get it right lol.

[JoeDG]

Fyi. The one s is the cheapest 4k player with hdr & u can play games .
For 299 a great deal. Will trade in my one

[Yetter]

4K blueray player that plays XB1 games for 299$. Thats the reason

[ITPython]

Even if the Scorpio wasn't announced I still see no need to buy any version of the XB1. For people who have a ps4, spending $300 just to play a small handful of exclusives (which really aren't all that interesting IMO) just isn't worth it, especially since multiplat games will still perform better on the ps4.

But if somebody also has a gaming PC then the reason to buy the xbslim is even more moot.

MS really should have had the Scorpio release this year, it would have been the best choice they could have made seeing as PS has PSVR coming out, not to mention whatever is going on with neo. If MS would have released a significantly more powerful console this year they would truly be in a very interesting position to slow down Sonys momentum.

[Hold_It]

@ITPython

I can understand where you're coming from, but I'll agree to disagree. I think one of the best things they could have done with the Scorpio is what they did, pushing it back to next year. The reason I say that is because this year is super congested as far as game releases go. Deus Ex, SMT, Hitman, Mafia 3, Uncharted 4, Quantum Break, Doom, Dead Rising 4, Gears 4, Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy XV, Pokemon, Overwatch, Ghost Recon, Watch Dogs 2, X-Com 2, Call of Duty, Battlefield 1, and way more releases. That being said I feel the average gamer like myself is struggling enough trying to budget what they are and aren't going to buy, and dropping a $500 console or more is going to be a hard sell even for myself who wants to purchase a Scorpio.

[miyamoto]

2 new hardware on an E3 presscon?
WoW!
I smell Sega CD & 32X .... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[rightway]

Why not you get at least two more years of playing with it. Scorpio not out for another 1.5 years take another 5 to 12 months before people widely jump on it.

[b3ast]

Fuk ms I'll never buy your shjt again

[KilKarazy]

Hmmm... Maybe because someone wants a 4K blu ray player and the only other option is 399??? With this you also get a game system. I was thinking that PS4 would have a console with 4K bluray first but now I'm just gonna sell my PS4 and buy another Xbox to use for a bluray player. Someday I'll revisit PS4 but I like playing games with friends and Xbox is just so much better at that.

[BossBattle]

Because it's cheaper. A lot of people were surprised the X1 Slim was as cheap as revealed. The Scorpio won't be affordable for everybody.

[ScorpiusX]

I don't see an issue , am trading a reg Xbox one in for slim then when Scorpio arrives trade the last Xbox one in for it . Seems simple enough

[lastking95]

My plan is to upgrade to the slim for about $100.(im getting $200 for XO trade) Stick with it for 2 years and trade up to the scorpio 1 yr after it launches.

[DiRtY]

People act like they have never even played a multiplat or played on different devices. Scorpio will be a fucking beast with great support. End of story. Almost Every exclusive game you buy for it comes with a free version for your PC.

This is a good thing!

Yet some Sony fanboys try to spin this as a reason to not buy it.

[Ninte]

Mighty ape online store in nz has priced the 2Tb S at $648 nz$ no price on Scorpio and the 500GB.

[opinionated]

You also get an elite controller that goes for 150 bucks stand alone. Even though it might seem like a shitty circumstance for us OG X1 owners, its really not that bad with a trade. It's great value. UHD bluray and an elite controller for 100-150 dollars.

[andrewsquall]

Exactly. I pity the workers in retail who couldn't move the damn things before.