Thread by @ZhugeEX

I've had the Xbox Series X for over 3 weeks now, and with the Xbox Series X|S launching today, I wanted to share some quick thoughts and previous twitter threads i've done regarding Xbox's future strategy.

Primarily from my POV as an analyst.

https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1321550888675217408?s=20

My key takeaway is that the console has a very premium and polished feel to it. From the design of the console to the UI and software

It's launching in a more complete state than the Xbox One did and is bolstered by new technology & innovations to improve the overall experience

Quick resume is indeed impressive.

After finishing Tell Me Why Ch1 I was able to instantly jump into Forza to complete a few races, then jump back to Tell Me Why after Ch2 finished downloading, with each transition taking just a few seconds.

No need to quit / restart games.

The onboarding experience is good. You can set up the console through the Xbox app on your smartphone and then utilise the app to download games or remote play.

My favorite feature is that screenshots from the console instantly appear in the app and can then be shared.

Lack of a flagship title at launch is definitely noticeable. But not as big of an issue these days given Xbox has a strong value prop with Game Pass and Back compat.

Not to mention cross gen live service titles + new third party games are optimised for the console at launch.

It's a seamless transition for existing Xbox users, with their games library, friends list and other settings transferring over.

For new players, Game Pass is the main value prop, offering a large day one library for a low monthly cost.

Ultimately an attractive offer for all.

Console still plays a large role in the Xbox ecosystem, even as the company shifts focus to marketing Game Pass as the main entry point

It's the platform where Microsoft will continue to generate the majority of its revenue. My thread below explains more

https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1293655805468856320?s=20

That being said, it's clear that Xbox is looking to go beyond the console and provide a seamless and frictionless experience to existing gamers and new players, with multiple entry points into the Xbox ecosystem.

My thread below explains more

https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1283827733026439169?s=20

I also put together a thread with my overall view on the Xbox strategy for this year and beyond. How Xbox is looking to remove as many barriers to entry as possible to reach a broader audience, including in the console space.

https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1286440881378254848

Overall, the Series X|S are being offered alongside the One S|X, Windows 10 & Android (Cloud) as platforms to access Game Pass.

The Series X|S might not be a must buy if you already have a One X or own a gaming PC

But that's fine for MS, as long as you have Game Pass on there.

Series X|S are being pitched as the best hardware options to access Game Pass at the lowest cost (Until Cloud Gaming becomes viable for all).

I think MS makes a compelling argument with its high end offering for enthusiasts and a low cost offering for budget conscious gamers.