If Xbox Series S is 100$ cheaper than PS5 All-Digital, does Xbox have a legitimate chance of outselling PS5 this gen?

[EricHiggin]

Intrinsic said:

EricHiggin said:

I remember, as well as those who thought a 1080p next gen console was crazy and was never going to happen, because it would be so stupid. Well it's not so crazy now, but we're still yet to determine how smart or stupid this decision was.

A $399 PS5 DE would cast a partial shadow over the XBSS, but if MS is smart, they will make it darn clear that the XBSX would be a waste unless you're gaming on a 4k screen. If they can push that messaging, clearly and loud, it will hurt PS5 DE sales, because why pay $100 more for that extra performance if you don't need 4k capabilities? The casuals won't take the games argument into account like the hardcore will, and XBSS would benefit from it's $100 advantage. Depending on the XBSX price, the XBSS may also be the preferred sale because it's costing MS less and is probably less of a sub, if not breaking even compared to cost and losses of XBSX.

Perhaps a stupid question, but has it been 100% confirmed by SNY that PS5 and PS5 DE are identical in every way, other than the optical drive? It's been explained what's in the PS5, and I've gone through a few articles quickly here, but none of them clearly state that both the PS5 and PS5 DE are exactly the same specs, minus the optical drive. Now based on their form factor and what's been talked about, I would assume they're the same, but do we really know?

Exactly, what MS needs to do with XBSS is basically make as clear a distinction between it and the XBSX as possible. Bt they are already failing at this, their official tweet IIRC on the XBSS still ven mentions 1440p upscaling to 4K. This means even there they are still pushing that whole power is relevant argument.

But if they did what you said, then it would be a case of, well I don't have a 4KTV or need one so I will just get an XBSS instead of spending an extra $100 for 4K that I do not need. But if they did that, then they are also making their XBSX seem even less relevant. I mean,if a $299 box can play the exact same games ad everything is the same outside resolution, why do i need to spend $200 for 4K? When I can spend $100 more for 4Kon the PS5?

And yes, its been officially confirmed that the only difference between the two is the disc drive.

Eric: The idea here is, there’s a second [PS5] that represents the growth of the digital business over the years…. And a lot of consumers have shifted the way they interact with our products. Part of my job, and my team’s, is to talk to consumers all the time, understand what they like and what they want. And there’s a segment of consumers that just want to go digital.

So this is the answer to that need. It’s a discless version [of PS5]. It’s important to note that, it’s essentially the same product. You’re not talking about any change to features, or any change to power. It’s the same product, with slight cosmetic differences, and no disc drive. So it’s all digital.

I don't remember saying that... lol. That clears that up for good though. Thx.

I agree on the messaging and narrative MS has been putting out there. It's all over the map. It's literally them saying everything possible is on offer, and it's all the best in it's own way. It's all super important, unless that's not important to you, then it's not. lol. 

The problem is they haven't been clear that's the message. One day it's power is all that matters, the next it's affordability and size. MS marketing has had a few bright spots, but overall is still horrible.

XBSS is "next gen performance"? So... you mean to say XB1X was basically next gen, especially based on it's marketing? Even though you don't believe in gens anymore?

Question is does MS really care about the power crown or is that just to keep a portion of their user base happy? If they are losing less money on XBSS, and can sell a boat load of them anyway, then why not? As for the XBSX power narrative up until now, odds are MS probably felt that if they started out with XBSS, they would lose a bunch of the hardcore hardware fans to PS5 once it revealed. Showing up after with XBSX might seem like an afterthought or MS scrambling and damage controlling, which really wouldn't look good. I think they played it safe, though it still is a mess.

I do agree with you though, that if immediately after PS5 revealed, XBSX was revealed and MS rubbed it in SNY's face, it could have been a big win for them. Which makes me wonder, how much did MS really know about PS5. If they were so certain they would end up more powerful, why not show them up and gain some serious momentum? Perhaps MS thought if they could get SNY thinking they were only going for the performance crown, that SNY wouldn't worry as much about affordability, which potentially leaves the door wide open for XBSS?

Even with PS5 DE at $399, I'm thinking XBSS is going to crush XBSX in sales.