New Xbox Series X and more

News just came out…

Xbox is releasing a new Series X with some updated features, but most importantly, the disc reader is gone.

This means both the refreshed Xbox and PS5 will not have disk reading capabilities. It’s coming. It’s finally coming. And there isn’t a dang thing anyone can do to stop it.

Xbox will also have a new improved controller, some future games are listed, and some new details about the next Xbox launching in 2028. If anyone wants to post the pics, that’s fine, I don’t know how to do it.

https://x.com/xboxcountdowns/status/1704010407315173597?s=46&t=PECungCZCOfMiAvIFkuRKQ

Still gonna run Starfield at 30fps.

And what's up with Phil lying about the fact that mid gen refresh isn't needed?😆

100% recyclable packaging is the console's feature

Was about to post this lol.

This new Xbox Series refresh mid-gen looks like it won't support physical discs. Can't say I'm surprised and that controller looks okay, and it also looks like it's using haptic feedback which is similar to PS5/Switch if they can double the speakers.

@hardwenzen said:

Still gonna run Starfield at 30fps.

And what's up with Phil lying about the fact that mid gen refresh isn't needed?😆

100% recyclable packaging is the console's feature

Phil meant it as a PS5 Pro type beat. This is just a digital Series X with 2TB of space and better infrastructure supporting quicker downloads and better connectivity I might add. But no graphical improvements here it seems.

Totally looking forward to what DF has to say about this on their next Direct Weekly.

Just noticed that there no upgrades spec wise? So if the system is having trouble in 2023, what do they expect will happen in 2025? And going full digital while also being the same price is a massive dowgrade, not an upgrade. What a pointless system.

@davillain said:

@hardwenzen said:

Still gonna run Starfield at 30fps.

And what's up with Phil lying about the fact that mid gen refresh isn't needed?😆

100% recyclable packaging is the console's feature

Phil meant it as a PS5 Pro type beat. This is just a digital Series X with 2TB of space and better infrastructure supporting quicker downloads and better connectivity I might add. But no graphical improvements here it seems.

Totally looking forward to what DF has to say about this on their next Direct Weekly.

Oh god this will tank hard. And if Sony does release like an 18tflops mid cycle upgrade that buries the X in performance, MS might as well stop producing systems at that point.

@hardwenzen: If the rumors of PS5 Pro is true, it'll cut the Xbox Series Refresh like butter. This refresh is dead on arrival😞

Watch them charge this for $600.

Not really a “mid gen refresh” like Xbox One to Xbox One X. Seems more like a Xbox One to Xbox One S kind of thing. 2TB storage space upgrade isn’t too shabby.

Removing the drive was an obvious decision they should have taken from the beginning but maybe the 2tb drive will unnecessarily make it more expensive.

Is there any images? Is it the same or slimmer?

This is what it will look like:

It's a cylinder like console this time around. Looks like one of those air freshers you'll see at Target if you ask me.

Edit: I do like it...a little bit. I'm just a simple PC gamer, this kind of thing isn't aiming for me though.

@kathaariancode: There’s some pics in the link in the OP. It looks like it’s about the same height as the XSX but slimmer/less mass and is round with the power button in the lower middle of the system.

Ha! The controller has quieter buttons and sticks! You lems tried to gaslight me saying they aren't loud and clicky sounding.

Vindication!

PS5 will have an option for disk reading, though

Doesn’t seem like Microsoft is getting out of the console business anytime soon like some would believe. 🤔

MS can **** off with the discless consoles. If MS next gen console(s) don't come with a disc drive, then i'm out.

It's just MS way to make their marketplace the only way to purchase games. its anti-competitive and I won't support it

What a bummer.

The One X was 4 times as powerful as the One.

Microsoft should at the very least show off a 24 Tflop console. (2x)

Its first party games should have 60 fps minimum. 30 fps in 2023 is a joke.

I sincerely hope Sony does not follow the same path. if any of Uncharted 5, The Last of Us 3, God of War '3', Ghost of Tsushima 2, Bloodborne 2, release as PS5 exclusive and only in 30 fps I'd be completely bummed.

@davillain: Curious for the controller reviews, that's the only thing that interests me. The SX is one of the best looking consoles I've owned, not digging the cylindrical look. Kinda silly looking.

Where does it say that the PS5 mid refresh won't have disk reading capabilities?The only information we have is a rumor of a separate, attachable disk drive.

They added speakers to the controller 🤣 I remember Xbox fan making fun of Sony for doing that. Xbox fans also dismissed things like haptic feedback.

The new controller looks good I could have guessed there would be a series X digital at some point this generation.

damn, will you quit modern gaming altogether?

Eh, pretty ho hum...

But also...

Gotta love it!! lol :P

@SolidGame_basic:

Haptics, speakers and a rechargeable/ swappable battery.

It's as if those were all features the controller was lacking. lol

@SolidGame_basic: it won’t be there natively. It’s an option but they don’t want you to buy that option. Sony wants all digital too. Another baby step towards not giving you a choice.

About time they commit to all digital.

This is more of a Series X Slim than a mid gen refresh.

This is what the Series S should have been IMO.

If disc drives are no longer going to be included in Xbox systems, Series X will likely be my last one. (Unless they make a handheld)

No CPU/GPU/RAM capacity enhancements is a bummer. We are really stuck with this hardware for the long run…

Glad to see they're making effort to make the controller better/updated.

@SolidGame_basic said:

They added speakers to the controller 🤣 I remember Xbox fan making fun of Sony for doing that. Xbox fans also dismissed things like haptic feedback.

its going to funny watching lems defend speakers on controllers now.

Gamers are so stupid if they support a digital only future.

Yup. We have that on PC and are lucky to have companies like steam around that have consumer friendly policies. We can't trust other companies though. And that includes Sony and Nintendo.

@hardwenzen said:

Still gonna run Starfield at 30fps.

And what's up with Phil lying about the fact that mid gen refresh isn't needed?😆

100% recyclable packaging is the console's feature

He was talking about releasing an XSX/S with faster CPUs, GPUs, etc. This is the same internal hardware, just a bigger drive and no disc.

Gamestop stock prices gonna tank

We, cows, we welcome you with open arms.

But i gotta say, that controller looks pretty poppin'. It says upgraded sticks, do we know by any chance if they've finally woken up, and began using the hall effect sticks?

I just realized Xbox is about to nuke physical backwards compatibility with this revision. Your 360 discs are going to be worthless now. That's kinda sad considering Xbox had such a big BC initiative.

It's honestly baffling that Xbox isn't going to release a Series X Pro.

The PS5 Pro is going to gobble up the hardcore market. Folks that bought the Series X for being the most powerful console are going to have to enjoy some humble pie once the Ps5 Pro drops w/ 20+ TFLOPS, better ray tracing etc.

Ps5 will have a disk add on.

But the coping and denial on system wars will be Epic 🤣

I think people are overestimating the potential market for a pro console. It's going to be a ps4 pro scenario all over again. The Series X will be fine even if MS doesn't release a pro version of the X.

I mean the Pro and One X were successful. It's how we ended up with a Series S | X day one.

I'd argue folks who buy the Series X are in the PS5 Pro market.

The Series S makes up 75% of the Xbox console userbase. We are overestimating the potential of the Series X at this point.

Three consoles per gen from the same company?

lol

Way more baffling to me that people want that.

...So now it looks like a round office trash can instead of a square one :P. I'd prefer it's looks over the base Series X anyway though.

Probably a very unpopular opinion but i really wish that had a PS1/Gamecube style top loading disc drive. Just for the laugh.

A shame it doesnt have a disc drive at all mind...but not a surprise. Ms doesn't really want to encourage game buying (and definitely not from retail). This is a gamepass delivery device first and foremost.

Still nice to see some improvements in other areas. Any chance of an M.2 drive though? They keep going on about the environment yet still have useless custom storage media. It's basically generating e-waste there. Still good to see the use of more recycled materials and improved power efficiency.

The controller does look like a nice improvement. That's more the controller they should have launched with. I'd get that if I already had an Xbox Series consoles. Hopefully they also patch some of their older games to add more robust support for the new toys the controller offers. FINALLY a gyro.

Also Big thumbs up for the built in rechargeable battery that is also swappable. I wonder if that also means you can stick in AAA batteries if the rechargeable has worn down. 8BitDo are correct (with the SN30Pro+ at least). That's how it's done for the standard controller.

Is this just a replacement though for the current standard xbox controller or are MS going to charge silly money for it?

Before getting rid of the disc drive, they should improve family sharing of digital purchases. Right now, only the "Home" console can play all digital purchases on all profiles, other family members don't have rights to play them on their consoles.

I think trading away the disc drive for 1 more TB of storage, for which the price seems like it has been inflated for Xbox, seems like a poor concession. Instead, they should bring down the prices of the storage to match the market, and keep the disc drive.

For the next Xbox Series model, I would say that they should use the cost reduction of the components to allow for an increase in storage space, without the removal of the optical drive.

Stopping work on BC, removing the old 360 store, getting rid of the disc drive and possibly making it optional, I'm not a fan of these decisions as someone who keeps their old games and as someone who has a family of gamers who wants to use multiple game devices to play from a single family library at the same time.

@davillain said:

@kathaariancode said:

Removing the drive was an obvious decision they should have taken from the beginning but maybe the 2tb drive will unnecessarily make it more expensive.

Is there any images? Is it the same or slimmer?

This is what it will look like:

It's a cylinder like console this time around. Looks like one of those air freshers you'll see at Target if you ask me.

Edit: I do like it...a little bit. I'm just a simple PC gamer, this kind of thing isn't aiming for me though.

Cylinder console? More like a trash can

@daredevils2k said:

@SolidGame_basic said:

They added speakers to the controller 🤣 I remember Xbox fan making fun of Sony for doing that. Xbox fans also dismissed things like haptic feedback.

its going to funny watching lems defend speakers on controllers now.

Or haptics and gyro. How they will defend that now when they've said it is a gimmick. LOL

Also, looks like they've copied NSW Pro gamepad shape :

XSX at these specs at 499. LOL

PS5 Pro will obliterate it at 499.

@loudheadphones: The PS5 Pro if it is real will cost no less than $599 or higher!

Vanilla PS5 will go down to 399 with new redesign and Pro won't cost more than 100$ difference. Just like it was with PS4 Pro.