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| shikamaru317 said: quickly design a Project Helix S console so that they have a mass market product for exclusives to sell next gen, because exclusives aren't going to be able to move very many of the rumored $1000+ main Xbox Helix console if that is their only console. |
Yes, they absolutely need a lower end option if they hope to have a substantial hardware presence again. Series S got a ton of hate, but in the UK at least I thought it was a very good value. (USA price wasn't as much of a discount over the X). It would also have to be a locked system so they can guarantee subscription and software revenue so they can subsidise the hardware with less risk. Then they'll be able to offer a compelling price.
Console gaming has always been about simplicity and affordability for the mass market.
My worry for next-gen is that it will be nearly impossible to offer a machine that is a decent upgrade while being a reasonable price. I can't imagine a new $599 console being more than a small improvement over the current PS5/SX right now.
I think the smart play is a device with 24gb of Ram and a mid-range GPU, with good AI upscaling hardware. But even that I don't know what they'd be able to offer it at. Hardware really is screwed for the foreseeable future.
Last edited by Zippy6 - on 09 June 2026
