Xbox wow!!! I have to say it’s never been a better time to be an Xbox gamer! If you’re wondering what Xbox is currently bringing to the table with features and subscriptions vs the competitors. I got you covered.
I’ve been an Xbox gamer since well the OG Xbox came out in 2001. I really feel like Xbox is recapturing the excitement and enjoyment of the Xbox 360 era. With the strongest and most affordable console in the world combined with an ecosystem of platforms and Xbox game pass its hard to not feel that excitement again.
Xbox is ridiculously user friendly it’s almost unbelievable. Did you know they even allow Xbox gamers to not only easily help other Xbox gamers with issues they might be having with the Xbox ambassadors program. They also have an Xbox insider program allowing Xbox users to test new features and even games before they launch publicly. This allows Xbox to bring much more polished OS updates that are almost bug free when they launch to all Xbox gamers.
Xbox has done a complete 360 (pun intended) from the launch of Xbox one in 2013. With promoting legendary Phil Spencer to head of Xbox to the mid gen refresh with the Xbox one s, and the Xbox one x which was the worlds strongest console from 2017 to November 10th of 2020 (xbox series x now holds that title).
Alright let’s jump into these Xbox features and capabilities and start powering your dreams 😉. Here’s some of my personal favorite features and information you should know and or need to know about Xbox especially if you’re new to the platform.
New Xbox consoles and official accessories
Xbox Series S 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU @ 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT Enabled), AMD RDNA 2 GPU 20 CUs @ 1.565GHz, 4 TFLOPS, 10GB GDDR6 RAM, Target 1440p @ 60 FPS. Up to 120 FPS, 512GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (2.4GB/sec uncompressed, 4.8GB/sec compressed), 364GB of free game space, HDMI 2.1, 1TB Expansion Card, thousands of backwards compatible games, No disk drive.
Xbox series X 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU @ 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with SMT Enabled), AMD RDNA 2 GPU 52 CUs @ 1.825GHz, 12.15 TFLOPS, 16GB GDDR6 RAM, Target 4K @ 60 FPS. Up to 8K. Up to 120 FPS, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (2.4GB/sec uncompressed, 4.8GB/sec compressed), 802GB of free game space, 1TB Expansion Card, Thousands of backwards compatible games, 4K UHD Blu-ray disk drive.
Xbox series controllers have reverse compatibility for Xbox one and older PCs
Official Xbox one controllers and accessories have forward compatibility (besides Kinect)
Smart delivery we buy a game once and we can have it on both consoles all Xbox game studios games will include smart delivery ones that are made for both generations at least other developers must decide what they want to do but Microsoft encourages them to use it
Quick resume. Load up to 6 series x games where you left off at or up to 12 backwards compatible games
Xbox play anywhere some game’s you buy you get on your console and pc all of Xbox’s first party titles usually include this plus others
Xbox app you can do almost everything you can on the Xbox straight from your phone, join party chats, manage your game clips, stream games, use your phone as a controller and so much more.
Xbox controllers
Controllers don’t even get me started. We will be able to use our Xbox one controllers and our elites on the new series s/x as well as use the Xbox series controller on Xbox ones for any and all games you can’t do that with the other guys. Both have multiple ways to easily sync/connect to PC and mobile devices as well.
The Xbox controller has always been near perfect in my opinion and we’re really only seeing improvements with this new controller. Which is a good thing after all, don’t try fixing something that doesn’t need fixed.
From Ryan Whitaker
“These new controllers feature a more-inclusive, ergonomic design and performance-boosting updates now standard on all new Xbox Wireless Controllers. Textured grip on the bumpers, triggers, and back case keep you locked in and on-target, while the Elite controller-inspired hybrid D-pad enables greater precision with easier access to diagonals and sweeps. With the new integrated Share button, you can capture and record your most epic or meme-worthy moments right from your controller. Then post them to your favorite social media platform from the console dashboard or the Xbox app without missing a beat. You can pair your controller to devices including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, and mobile devices and quickly switch between them, while Dynamic Latency Input ensures a more responsive, almost instant gaming experience”
So much more as well.
As far as battery options go that’s always been a very silly argument in the console war field.
Xbox controllers allow users to have -
brand new batteries in controllers
rechargeable batteries
recharging battery packs
Plug in controllers and play with dead batteries or no batteries at all
Some batteries and battery packs allow you to plug in and play while charging the battery at the same time
The Xbox elite 2 controller has a 40 hour battery life as well.
Xbox game pass and other subscriptions
Xbox all access pay for your console by the month and get 2 years of gamepass ultimate for $20 less compared to buying the console and buying 2 years of Xbox game pass ultimate individually.
$24.99 a month for series s.
$34.99 a month for series x.
So let me lay this out.
Xbox game pass ultimate + ea play started November 10th $15 a month.
On Xbox consoles there are currently 270+ games in Xbox game pass.
On windows 10 pc there are currently 220+ games in game pass.
Xcloud game pass streaming currently 195+ games.
On November 10th 80+ additional games joined game pass ultimate with ea play at no additional cost.
That’s 330+ games on Xbox consoles.
226–282+ games on Windows 10 pc.
A lot of these games will also be available for use on xcloud as well day 1 so 195–275+ somewhere in between.
All games will slowly go to xcloud as well that aren’t already. Xbox has announced plans to bring it to PC and console. Phil also said they have plans for a possible xcloud streaming stick you’d be able to just plug into your smart tv and sync a controller and have instant access to a large chunk if not all of Xbox game pass.
First party Xbox studios games all go to game pass the same day they launch. Usually on console first then pc or in special cases they’ll drop in pc game pass same day they launch like gears tactics then go to console shortly after.
First party games do not leave Xbox game pass.
With the exclusives and timed exclusives they’ve announced so far from November 10th to the next 3 years we have 22 first party games for now. All go to Xbox game pass the same day they launch. Around 25 timed exclusives for a total of 47 first party and timed console exclusives over the next 3 years as of right now.
Think about it like this.
22 games at $70 each is $1540.
3 years of Xbox game pass ultimate is around $520 without any deals. That’s around $1020 dollars you could save just off Xbox first party games alone. Doesn’t count all the other games that will go in between now and then so consider that as well.
If you love one of those games so much even though first party games don’t leave game pass. Guess what else they hit you with Xbox game pass members get 20% off all games in game pass the whole time there available if you want to buy it and 10% off any dlcs or content the game sells as well.
Ea play offers 10% off digital game purchases and dlc/content.
Also get a 10 hour trial on ea games including select new games same day they launch.
Ea play members also get exclusive rewards and content.
Xbox game pass perks free bundles of content towards different games. As well as other deals like 30 day trial for Disney+, Spotify premium, discord nitro, post mates unlimited delivery, and much more have been given away with the perks.
You get all of that for $15 a month. That is just an amazing deal you can’t beat that. Best subscription service for gaming hands down. This benefits gamers all around the world by giving gamers the ability to play 100s of games across multiple platforms for a low monthly price.
Also don’t forget a lot of Bethesda’s current ips will slowly go to Xbox game pass. All future ips from Bethesda should be going to game pass same day they launch with the exception of past contracts for timed exclusive games.
Xbox live gold 10 a month or 50 a year (included in Xbox game pass ultimate)
Gives you access to all online multiplayer
4 free game’s a month on Xbox one/Xbox Series
2 free games a month on Xbox 360
Every weekend is free to play weekend what’s that mean? Anywhere from 2 to 4 games will be available to play 100% free from Thursday to Sunday.
Backwards compatibility and some personal favorite features.
Last but not least and I’m not even naming off half the features we have coming or already have.
4 generations of Xbox games
Backwards compatibility Xbox gives us all our great past favorites and more. Every game from Xbox one including Xbox 360 and og Xbox games will be playable on the Xbox series consoles and guess what will be able to play some old games up to 120 FPS and in 4K graphics that’s going to be amazing. They are always working to add the few OG Xbox and Xbox 360 titles they don’t have as well.
Xbox is always giving us some cool features like being able to install games before owning them. That will give us the ability to be able to play the game as soon as it launches or you buy it. No more waiting hours after waiting in a line for a midnight release or waiting for a digital order to come available.
As well they are making it to where some games can be installed in portions to just like call of duty modern warfare. This is on developers to take advantage of this feature.
Cloud storage is free on Xbox and cross saves data, your account transfers over all of the Xbox live network this includes going to a new generation of Xbox console, going to a pc with your account (with games that support cross saves/progression), and xcloud.
For the first time ever Xbox has not only more but double the amount of exclusives coming to Xbox first and that’s just what’s been confirmed so far doesn’t count all the Xbox game studios we haven’t even seen games from yet.
Game sharing. Xbox gives users the ability to share their digital purchases and game pass subscription with one other xbox console anywhere in the world.
Final thoughts.
You’d be crazy to not acknowledge what Xbox and Microsoft are doing for gamers around the world with consoles and the game pass subscription alone. This is a major step up from the Xbox one launch Phil Spencer has really changed Xbox around for the better.
You don’t get that with the other guys Xbox is a 3 for 1 for people with consoles, PCs, and mobile devices as well and we all know you can’t beat a pc other than the prices of building one. Xbox is an ecosystem that’s why I started the Facebook group the Xbox ecosystem (Xbox,PC,Xcloud) come check us out links below.
Feel free to invite Xbox gamers, family and friends here’s a group link