Microsoft has finally revealed all the details on Xbox Series X (opens in new tab) and Xbox Series S (opens in new tab) this week, but it wasn’t according to plan.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed on his personal Twitter account that the Xbox Series X reveal (opens in new tab) today, and the Xbox Series S reveal (opens in new tab) yesterday, were originally meant to arrive next week. He called the unusual series of events an “unscripted announce” and praised the Xbox team for rolling everything out like it had meant to do it this way all along.
I know it’s been a wait for price, date, pre-order date. Thanks to the community for their support and encouragement 🙂 Great to see the reactions, really proud of how the team handled the unscripted announce (was supposed to be next week but oh well…). Can’t wait for launch. https://t.co/CxXWDVmmNwSeptember 9, 2020
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Why the change? Well, the conspiracy theorist in me wants to believe it’s because Microsoft got word that Sony is planning an imminent reveal for the PS5 (opens in new tab) release date and price, and it wanted to get the Xbox news out first.
The realist in me knows it’s probably because the Xbox Series X leaks yesterday were so comprehensive that it didn’t make sense for Microsoft to hold the official word back any longer. Since the two systems are so closely associated (in everything but 4K gameplay support (opens in new tab)) it didn’t make sense to hold back the remaining details on Xbox Series X either.
In either case, Microsoft did an admirable job of getting the word out there all at once despite its timetable being shifted, and now we finally know when the next generation of consoles will begin and how much it will cost to start playing. Unless Sony decides to jump in with an earlier release date and a lower price tag. I wouldn’t complain about that either.
See what you’ll be able to play on your new system(s) with our guide to Xbox Series X launch games (opens in new tab).