Who Is Meant To Buy A $250 Disc-Less Xbox One S Six Years Into Its Life-Cycle?

Microsoft has debuted an all-digital Xbox One S with a target market of who, exactly?

[lxeasy]

I wonder if they came up with this idea late into the cycle or if they wanted to do this for a while but didn't know if it would work. Every game I bought this gen has been digital. So I could have benefitted from this years earlier in the gen cycle. How ever I'm not going to trade in my current console for this.

[antarius]

I buy digital only also but having a built in blu Ray player is still quite viable. I can’t see this selling well at all.

[Eonjay]

I keep saying this but the truth is you can buy the S model for less and use that for digital only.
And you can still use Xbox 360 discs for BC titles.
There is no point in spending more when you can do the very same thing on the cheaper model.

[bouzebbal]

especially not at this price.. digital games are also overpriced.

[Atom666]

When I look at the timing, only doing it with the S model, and the overall low cost approach to its manufacturing and launch, I think it is the "Canary in the coal mine" strategy some hypothesized.

https://youtu.be/ZjsZ9yRxO2...

Test the market and get people used to the idea.

[rainslacker]

So, as a hypothetical, lets say this released at the launch day for the generation, or at least before you brought your X1.

Would a $50 difference really mean that much to you to lose a rather big option of being able to play physical games? Even if all your games are digital, would you turn away a physical copy if it crossed your path, a friend gave you one, or you came across it at GameStop for $5. Or any other scenario really.

I'm not sure why MS thinks $50 would be that big of an incentive for anyone spending over $200 on a console. Over $200 is still above the bargain price for impulse buys. Sure, $249 and $299 may be a big difference for some people, but they're still seeing that it's above $200, but less than $300. For people that really have to worry about that kind of money, they're both still too expensive, and if they can't afford them anyways, but buy them, then they're probably not careful enough with their money to make a difference. If they saved up over time, they're likely more reasonable, and know that they will be able to get a lot of used or physical games a lot cheaper quicker than they'll ever get them with digital, as digital prices tend to be higher longer.

I'm not one to really say that everyone is intelligent, and makes wise choices, but overall, I also don't think the consumer base at large are complete idiots.

[RosweeSon]

Fanboys who’ve kept them going this long. Such a poor Gen from microsoft

[antarius]

Relax. The X is the best piece of console hardware out there, Microsoft just needs to get better at putting out exclusives people want to play.

[Rude-ro]

But that is part of the point..
The x is leaving the s and base to a point that even the performance can not be recommended for players.
Why even release it?
They will get irrelevant next year as Microsoft pushes to have competing games. They will either not be supported, or the performance and graphics will be massively effected.
It is a lose lose situation.
They should have just done a disc-less x with a lower price point to get players that have not upgraded to stay within the Microsoft eco system with a console that will be viable three years from now.

[RosweeSon]

Microsoft needs to get better at a lot. X may be the best (technically) actually in practice tho it’s my 3rd choice prob 5/6th choice after PS4/switch/3ds/Vita/Wii U and then maybe Xbox but I think, know the other 5 previously mentioned consoles are keeping me more tha. Busy all bought day one except vita and still use them to this day. Xbox1s got sold after 4 months lol

[UltraNova]

MS messed it up with the SAD and its price, here I've said it. What they should have done is also release an Xb1 X discless edition at 300 dollars alongside the former at 199.

[The Wood]

The best looking games are on the ps pro. What's a gun without bullets a

[thrust]

Yeah the Xbox one x is the well the best at 3rd party games why would any gamer play them on a different console, always play on the best and most powerful that is out!!!!

[Ricegum]

Thrust

Why are the best looking games exclusive to PlayStation then?

Also, by your logic you'll be rushing out to get the PS5 on release if power is what matters to you.

[Apex13]

It's an expensive system that plays the same game as the cheaper Xbox but with 4k graphics. I can't believe several millions of people fell for this. Yes, and no exclusives for if was a dumb move as their original unfailing of Xbox one.

[Flewid638]

When's that gonna happen, given that this gen is almost over?

[cyber_daemonx]

A console is defined by its library not its powah fgs. On that front the x is abysmal tbh.

[bluefox755]

It's not about hardware, it's about the games. Even with all of the power of the X, it still has nothing that looks as good as Sony exclusives. Hardware is meaningless if no one can take advantage of it.

[spicelicka]

I don't even fanboys go around buying multiple consoles of the same company. Any fanboy would already have an XB1.

Also, it's not just fanboys keeping them going. Regardless of their poor showings this gen, Halo and Gears of war are still at the top of their genres. That's what I've kept my Xbox around for.

[crazyCoconuts]

Agree with the "not just fanboys" comment. I'd guess a really large % of customers have been sticking with the brand they've been using over the years. Parents, casual gamers, etc. They had a 360, got a one, and will most likely buy the next Xbox.

[darthv72]

This is akin to the wii mini or the SNES Jr or the Genesis 3. All of which were systems released at or near the end of their respected platform cycles. And all of them had some reductions in features. SNES Jr lacked Svideo and RGB support. Wii mini has no SD card support or wifi so it can never connect to the internet for any wii shop titles. Genesis 3 was reduced in size so it cant work with the 32x or sega cd and some units dont even have stereo sound.

their primary focus was in being a cheaper point of entry into those respected platform libraries. They cut out features they felt were not needed and if a consumer did want them... the existing, full featured, models were still on the market. The XBOS ADE is no different in that regard. It is just a cheaper S but as it is now, the current S is already selling at retailers for the same $250 price even though the MSRP is $300 so MS really needs to rethink the ADE price of $250 in markets where the S is already that.

MS should have made it $200 with a 2tb hdd.

[rainslacker]

All three of your examples didn't sacrafice a way to play the media on the system itself. Yes, you don't need the media on this system, just internet access to download the games, but this would be more akin to any of those systems removing the Cart port to actually play the games, and saying you could only play on a new type of media, which you don't own.

[darthv72]

Uhhh... yeah they are. Wii mini loses ot on that whole half of the wii library (wii shop digital games) and the genesis 3 losing out on 2/3 of the genesis library (cd games and 32x games).

I'd say they sacrificed plenty.

[rainslacker]

The Wii Shop digital games could be had elsewhere if they were actually Wii Games, and the smaller games obviously weren't important enough to them in the face of whatever cost saving measure they felt they needed. If they had enough people buying them, they wouldn't have sacrificed the option.

And no. The SegaCD and 32X combined were nowhere near 2/3 of the genesis library. Both were failed systems that weren't required to play the carts themselves, and I'd say combined, they made up less than 5% of the total library available to the Genesis.

[micdagoat19]

why is it 250$ though? That doesn't seem right at all. Also, they should have made it with an easily replaceable hard drive.

[Servbot41]

Yeah I dunno why any person would buy this ever. Removing the disc drive doesn't bring the cost of manufacturing down more than a few pennies. They could have at least stuffed a 5tb harddrive in there; by now the rest of the parts are dirt cheap compared to 6 years ago.

[micdagoat19]

I would think to remove the drive would make it a lot cheaper. they can make a smaller board and no 4k blu ray drive. definitely should have a way bigger hard drive.

[Apex13]

Microsoft truly dropped the ball this gen. If they fail to come correct next gen then I shall be fully sony and Nintedo.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

I think it's a bad move to get this.

[Spartacus10]

People with disc compatible consoles be like:
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[TheColbertinator]

Fools. Plenty of them in the market.

[Atticus_finch]

Ms knows who their fans are lol

[porkChop]

This is likely a test for next gen. Phil Spencer said they were working on multiple next gen consoles. One is likely a cheaper, digital-only system. They're testing the market and seeing how people react to a digital-only console.

[froy402]

Not the best way to test the market when it comes out 7 years later and everyone that wanted an xbox already has one or two

[porkChop]

I'm not saying it's the best way to test the market. Sony did the same thing late gen with the PSP Go and it didn't fair well. I don't see this system doing any better either.

[motorsport71]

If it goes on sale for $200 i MIGHT buy it. There's some games on Xbox that I've been wanting to play (Sunset Overdrive, Gears 1-4 etc.)

But $250? Sheeeeeeiiiitt

[TKCMuzzer]

Just a get a second hand Xbox One of ebay if your only going to get it for a few games. You only need it to last 12 months

[zsquaresoff]

Microsoft want to saturate the market with it's crappy console and effectively try and kill the console business. The only thing their killing is their own brand.

[CloudStrife900]

It's a bit hard for MS to lean on "choice matters" when said choices are so scattered. Surely this would have been better released alongside the core S? Such a confusing gen MS, I sure hope your next one is better...

[snkiworld]

Fools

[Immagaiden]

You could find a disc based Xbox One for $250 already depending on where you look so there’s no real advantage to this

Microsoft would’ve been better off just officially dropping the price

[meganick]

This machine is at least $50 too much. Ideally it should have been priced at $150.

[KickSpinFilter]

At 150 I would have def picked one up, but 250 nah 200, if I could have picked my own games I wanted. Cuphead, Gears 4, Quantum Break, at 200 prob woulda bit.

[UltraNova]

Shit, if it was 150 I'd be hard pressed not to buy one...

[BadElf]

If I currently only owned PS4 and Switch, and I know I want the Xbox, having an OPTION wouldnt offened me. I wouldnt question it.

If I want the cheaper, digital version...I get it.
6 years in...whats the point of the One X?
What is the POINT of having options?
Oy vey

[MasterChief3624]

People that haven't gotten an Xbox One yet, and want to get in for a cheaper price. This is exactly what Nintendo did with the Wii Mini, except the opposite; instead of making it an all physical console with no Internet connection, they made it an all-digital console with no disc drive!

I can't recall if Wii Mini sold well, but I do think it would be a good place to look towards to see if this might be on the right track.

[UltraNova]

The regular S can be bought at 250 with a 4K disc drive included.
This SAD model at 250 is the very definition of "why even bother".

[darthv72]

Like I've said multiple times. The MSRP of the S is $300 and the MSRP of the ADE is $250. It is the retailers choice if they want to set the price lower than that but MS is mandating that there needs to be a $50 difference between the two.

So that means either the retailer raise the S to where it should be or lower the ADE to $200 to meet that mandate. That is just the retail market... they don't control the second hand market. Obviously you can find S's for even less in the second hand market. Hell, that is where I got my PS4 for $100 and day one xbo for $160 three years ago.

[optimus]

relax people, expect a price drop at e3 as one of the "big announcements"...this version will appeal to many people around Christmas time when they find deals for it for $150-$200. not to mention that it will look more appealing to those folks when Microsoft announces the new games coming from the new studios. knowing that consumers can play those games on that xbox for a mere $150-$200 would serve as a great Christmas present for someone. no need for panic.🙄

[RosweeSon]

Yeah I can’t see Sony following through with their own version.. Mad? Edition no disc drive more expensive than the pro sounds ridiculous hahaah

[KickSpinFilter]

It is SAD, if they came out at least at $200 that would have been a great deal.
The name kills me BTW, what the hell were they thinking?

[CrimsonWing69]

those who are uninformed?

[FTLmaster]

Honestly, this is a great question. The one reason I was tempted to get an Xbox One S was for the 4k blu ray player.

[Pancit_Canton]

Microsoft doesn't want to bury those unsold Xboxes to Atari's landfil.

[Silly Mammo]

So when the holidays come around and casual buyers are looking at consoles how confusing will all the different models? It might actually scare buyers to get the PS4. "You know this is just too confusing. I don't feel like doing research on this. I'll just buy the PlayStation for the kids."

[ShelbyGT350]

I’m completely fine with a no optical disc model but they missed the mark. Ideally the Xbox team should have used the Xbox One X hardware and priced it at $299. Given it’s the Xbox One S hardware $199 should have been the starting price with $150 sales during the holidays.

Break even or take a slight loss on the hardware for the services, games and media sales.

[NarutoFox]

"Who Is Meant To Buy A $250 Disc-Less Xbox One S Six Years Into Its Life-Cycle?"

I was thinking the same thing

[King Nezz]

Fools. I love the Xbox brand. But the pricing on this console is so stupid. Why go with this over the one that has the drive and can be found cheaper? Ridiculous, Microsoft.

[Traecy]

LMAO!!! No 4k movie disc drive for $250.....Nope! Next.

[Donnie81]

Not me

[Razzer]

Vasto

[Mulletino]

Xbox 1 S All Digital aka XBox 1 SAD

[BlaqMagiq1]

Only idiots will buy this

[Pancit_Canton]

If Bill Gates bought 60 million units of Xboxes. It would match the lifetime sales of the PS4. Also, maybe Crapgamer would probably buy 10 just to support the xbox community.

[rainslacker]

I think Soulja Boy should invest in buying a bunch of them. Slap a sticker on it. Then sell it on his store. He can promote that he now has partnered with MS to deliver Xbox titles and achievement support, and all games on his console are cross play with Xbox gamers.

[snkiworld]

Your forgot Markus Chief aka Phil uncle

[414gamer]

BIg Xbox supporter. And even I think this is a stupid move. 250$ for this is a joke. Everyone who wants an Xbox already has one. There is 0 benefit in swapping to this version of the console. Waste of resources

[UltimateSanto]

I can see this working on developing countries, where games are really pricey. people would rather buy this cheaper console and pair it with a Game Pass Suscription to save money. Got your essential games for your kid. If this is being marketed this way, that's not such a bad idea.

For example in my country, the cost of a yearlong Game Pass suscription is lower than the price of 1 Brand New Physical Game. On the console side, 50 bucks is a hefty discount on many places.

This is an endgame variant of the console, for a very specific market. Like the wii mini.

[Cikatriz_ESP]

Maybe it’s not really meant to sell well, but rather normalize the concept of an all-digital system and lay the groundwork of the next generation.

[AK91]

Not me that's for sure.

[cheeko]

I bought a lotta digital games, than microsoft decided to ban my 7 year old account with pretty well the last 7 years of my life on it. I will never buy digital again if i can avoid it. Also my internet downloads a 20gb game over multiple days, let alone any bigger titles which they pretty well all are

[Al_Simmons]

LMAOO this console can barely hold red dead redemption 2. Bye

[Knightofelemia]

Man what ever Microsoft is smoking is some really great shit when this thing was created you can tell is was planned well.

[T2X]

Why would I not want a drive? Is there a way to connect an external drive if you wanted? Because otherwise it seems foolish. Especially at that price.

[DreadGara]

This is an insult to gamers

[maybelovehate]

Anyone who wants a low priced console I would imagine. Which seems to be most of this site.

[cyclindk]

Microsoft trying to clear stock off the shelves any way they can... with the novelty of a "new" model...

Stinks of desperation

[Inzo]

Hahaha the Xbox one SAD???!!! Hahaha WTF were they thinking???!!!!

[william_cade]

250 usd? It's got to be a joke.