Xbox Series X Launches November 10 at $499

Microsoft announced that it will launch the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on November 10, along with inexpensive All Access financing and Game Pass integration, plus a special bonus for Game Pass for PC and Ultimate: EA Play at no additional cost.

Right. Wow.

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“On November 10, a new generation of console gaming begins,” Microsoft’s Phil Spencer announced. “That’s when our vision becomes reality with the most performant, immersive[,] and compatible next-generation console gaming experiences, and the freedom to play your games with your friends, anytime, anywhere.”

There’s a lot to digest here, so let me lay it all out.

First, both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are launching on November 10, and you’ll be able to preorder either starting Tuesday, September 22.

The Xbox Series X will cost $499, as expected, and we already knew the Series S will cost $299.

If those prices are too much, you can pay for the console along with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for just $24.99 per month over two years, and with no upfront cost via Xbox All Access. That price is for an Xbox Series S, of course; if you want Xbox Series X, the price is $34.99 per month. Microsoft is also expanding Xbox All Access program to 12 countries this holiday, with more to come in 2021.

Microsoft has signed a deal with Electronic Arts to bring EA Pass—a value of $5 per month or $30 per year—to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers for free. EA Pass brings another 60 games to Xbox Game Pass, and some of them are true blockbusters, like FIFA 20, Titanfall 2, and Need for Speed Heat. The service also provides access to popular EA franchises like Battlefield, Mass Effect, Skate, and The Sims.

Your move, Sony.

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Conversation 23 comments

  • Rob_Wade

    09 September, 2020 - 9:27 am

    <p>Just not worth it. Console gaming is not something I enjoy–PC gaming is much better–and once our Xbox One w/Kinect finally gives up the ghost, we're done. And the only EA game I ever played was the Titanfall series (on PC), and TF 2 sucked so badly compared to TF 1 that I deleted it after about 4 hours of TRYING to enjoy it. So, yeah, there's nothing in this for me, that's for sure.</p>

    • irfaanwahid

      09 September, 2020 - 9:57 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572236">In reply to Rob_Wade:</a></em></blockquote><p>To say you enjoy PC Gaming, that's a fair point. But to say it isn't worth it, that's a unfair comment. You cannot get a gaming PC with Series X's power and price, and GamePass is a gem. </p><p>EA's BattleField is what I enjoy the most, in most cases I find it better than COD.</p>

    • crunchyfrog

      09 September, 2020 - 10:46 am

      <blockquote><a href="#572236"><em>In reply to Rob_Wade:</em></a><em> I am a PC gamer as well. And since I already have a really good system, all I need to get the Xbox experience is an Xbox controller and Microsoft's Game Pass. Done.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • jwilcoxson

      09 September, 2020 - 10:54 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572236">In reply to Rob_Wade:</a></em></blockquote><p>Sorry you didn't like Titanfall 2. I loved the campaign, one of my favorites.</p>

    • Wondering_Bard

      09 September, 2020 - 11:47 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572236">In reply to Rob_Wade:</a></em></blockquote><p>So what you're saying is that Paul failed in his primary mission to provide news that is centrally relevant to your specific situation and desires? </p>

      • Paul Thurrott

        Premium Member
        10 September, 2020 - 8:33 am

        I’ll try to do better today!

    • orbsitron

      10 September, 2020 - 3:29 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572236">In reply to Rob_Wade:</a></em></blockquote><p>I played a ton of Titanfall 1 and I believe it was underrated because the market wasn't ready for a multiplayer only title (and Respawn kind of set expectations too high for a campaign-like experience by hyping up the in-match storytelling moments pre-launch). </p><p><br></p><p>That said, Titanfall 2 was a MUCH better game in just about every way. There was an actual campaign and that campaign was GREAT!! The engine had 2+ years of optimization and looked stunning (and TF1 already looked great a few months after the original XBOX One launch). Multiplayer was rock solid and benefited from all the improvements Respawn made since Titanfall 1. </p><p><br></p><p>I found TF2 had a shorter multiplayer lifespan for me but that was because other games came out I was interested in playing but not because TF2 "sucked so badly compared to TF1". </p><p><br></p><p>Metacritic would indicate that most feel the way I do. The critic scores are nearly identical between the two (86 for TF1 and 87 for TF2) and the user scores are much higher for TF2 (6.7 for TF1 and 8.3 for TF2).</p><p><br></p><p>Your opinion is valid for you, I'm not trying to knock you, I just think that as gamers assess the value of EA Play at no additional cost, games like Titanfall 2 will be viewed as a SIGNIFICANT value add, by and large.</p>

  • CaymanDreamin

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 10:01 am

    <p>Curious to see how All Access would work if you're already an ultimate subscriber. I'm paid through January 2023, so I wonder if I would be able to just pay the difference or would it extend my membership even further? Guess I'll find out soon enough.</p>

    • jensengregory

      Premium Member
      09 September, 2020 - 4:50 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572249">In reply to CaymanDreamin:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Going to put in my prediction right now and say that it won't "stack" in that case. I'm willing to bet you just continue enjoying your Game Pass benefits for as long as you're a subscriber, but you won't get any added benefit/money back on your original subscription.</p><p><br></p><p>Fair assumption you got your sub through January 2023 based on their initial promo anyway?</p>

    • wosully

      Premium Member
      09 September, 2020 - 8:03 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572249">In reply to CaymanDreamin:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, I am interested, too. </p><p><br></p>

  • codymesh

    09 September, 2020 - 10:11 am

    <p>So…i'm not a console gamer and i've never had a console, but Game Pass is an insane deal even on the PC, it's a gamechanger.</p>

  • yoshi

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 10:22 am

    <p>So much yes. Can't wait to get my preorder in.</p>

  • crunchyfrog

    09 September, 2020 - 10:44 am

    <p>It's all about that monthly nut anymore. Companies don't want you to just buy a product anymore.</p>

  • richardbottiglieri

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 10:46 am

    <p>Good stuff. Microsoft continues to provide the most gamer friendly experience of all the platforms.</p>

  • beckoningeagle

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 11:17 am

    <p>Wow, EA Pass to be included in Game Pass is great news.</p><p><br></p>

  • remc86007

    09 September, 2020 - 12:42 pm

    <p>I am genuinely surprised and happy this is coming in at $499. I was expecting $599. I would prefer if there was a $599 model that had 2TB of NVME.</p>

  • glenn8878

    09 September, 2020 - 12:49 pm

    <p>The savvy customer will wait for Sony.</p>

    • Thretosix

      09 September, 2020 - 3:26 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#572331">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>Depends on the consumer. I've been waiting for the Series X regardless of PS5 specs or price. I already have a catalog of games going back to the original Xbox that will work with upgrades. Faster loading times. Games bought on sale I haven't yet played or finished. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that someone who doesn't wait isn't wrong either. The $499 price tag is the main reason I'll buy one. Was about to dump money on a new RTX card, that I now can wait for the ti/super refresh now. Savvy to me is spending money on something that will benefit me the most. In my case the PS5 offers nothing to me. I have bought two PS4's as well. It's not even a fanboy thing.</p>

  • iantrem

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 12:51 pm

    <p>Damn, my EA Play subscription for next year has just gone out the bank!!!</p>

  • jdjan

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 1:09 pm

    <p>As soon as they launch MS Flight Sim 2020 on this thing, I'm in.</p>

  • scovious

    09 September, 2020 - 3:22 pm

    <p>I would love to see the price of the memory cards soon. I would love to compare the value of replacing the PS5's single internal SSD with a higher capacity 3rd party SSD when upgrading the PS5's storage, compared to adding an extra 1 TB to either Xbox. </p>

  • glenn8878

    09 September, 2020 - 5:49 pm

    <blockquote><em><a href="#572338">In reply to RM:</a></em></blockquote><p>You might pay less for the console once the competition shows up. The upgrades will be even more competitive. You don't even know if Sony will match the Xbox Series S. Why wouldn't Sony have upgrade rights for their games? They will. (<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Which&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">PS4 games</strong><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;have&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">free PS5 upgrades</strong><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">? Below, we've compiled a list of all confirmed titles that let you&nbsp;</span><strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">transfer from PS4 to PS5 at no extra cost</strong><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.)</span></p>

  • winbookxl2

    Premium Member
    09 September, 2020 - 8:28 pm

    <p>I think this bring in a great value! </p>

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