Microsoft Reveals New Forza Horizon 5 Xbox Series X Bundle

I actually like this strategy. A way to get a little more w/o permanently upping the price cause it looks like that’s all this is really.

DLC inclusion is nice as that’s not part of Game Pass.

Finally the Xbox marketing team that should have been doing this last year when Sony were doing it with HFW, FIFA23, COD and GOWR have woken up for 2023.
Better late than never 😂
And what idiot on here said early last year they should be doing this, hang on grumpy old me 😂

The bundle strategy is great but it just comes extremely late, I really don’t get why release a bundle with a year-old game when they’re supposedly about to release Forza Motorsport, Redfall and Starfield.

Unless, we are nowhere near the release for any of these games, which I wouldn’t discard it given Xbox’ absolute silence.

@IOI
You sorting of backing up what I said, they should have being doing this a lot early.
Perhaps we should run Xbox for a while.

@Dezzy70 At this point I’m just wondering if there’s anyone actually running Xbox at all lol

good way to increase the price of the console with no backlash

Isn't Series X in plentiful stock everywhere?
If so even if the dlc is free I can't see a more expensive console bundle flying off the shelves.. 🤔
I understand the added value it brings but surely they could have done something better than this.

@BANJO
Plenty in the UK and series s, which is good in one way, you need stock to sell.
But I know what you mean, they need great AAA games and some great PR.
I’m hoping by February 2023 they are going to spring into some AAA release dates and spring into some PR campaign action.
At the moment it’s like watching a limp wet lettuce leaf.

@banjo

nail and head there.

no need for this bundle or any bundle of GP game.

the only bundle should be one with a years GP sub (at like 50more than just console)

@Dezzy70 Yes, good to have the stock to sell. That's half the battle.

Yes, they need exclusive AAA games and good PR to help them push forwards this generation. The PR as it stands is virtually non existent.

As you say it's a bit wet lettuce leaf currently 🙄....

They need to change tact, and swiftly..

@stvevan That's a better bundle idea. Gamepass needs to be promoted more. A console bundle with a subscription to that with some of the best games on the box would be more suitable...

Has anyone heard what the second DLC for FH5 is and when it will release?

Seems kind of weak they didn't just include the FH5 Ultimate with all the extra content.

Cool that they're doing official bundles but 6+ months of GPU at that price would be a much better sell imo

@BANJO
Well let’s hope for 2023 because 2022 was like almost watching paint dry and a very slow conveyor belt moving along.
If 2023 is the same as 2022 then my brain will wonder what the hell Microsoft are doing with Xbox, it would almost be like they are anti their own product.

@Dezzy70 you’ve been saying it buddy and you were right then and still right now 😀

@Green-Bandit
Well I’m really hoping to be proved wrong in 2023 and it really is the year Microsoft shift up a good few gears with the Xbox.

We have Nintendo just starting to gear up PR with BOTW2 also with special edition BOTW2 console and controllers etc.

PlayStation with PSVR2 gearing up and with many old/new PSVR games.

XBOX, hello Microsoft it’s 2023 the other two are getting ready for a good year, already doing a little PR and release dates etc getting some momentum going etc for the year. Are you awake this year 😂😂😂

@Green-Bandit
Let’s face it buddy.
Nintendo only have to go here’s BOTW2 GOTY 2023 a bit of good PR and special console.
Mario movie out and Pikmin 4 and that probably the best selling console of 2023 wrapped up.

Sony go here’s PSVR2 I know niche but it’s their PR that gets the brand noticed and their you go have Spider man 2 for end of 2023, bring it on, maybe pip Nintendo to best selling console.

Here come Microsoft, ok yes we have this Xbox thing and game pass, we doing much PR this year, we gonna release top AAA games, er well let’s have a few high profile meetings then fanny around for a bit, maybe see how our studios are doing, let the other two get an amazing head start to the year 2023, then we might do something.
Let’s have another meeting instead 😂😂😂

@Dezzy70 i get what you’re saying. Xbox for sure needs a big year of greats game, PR, get the new Home UI screen right, bring out an Elite Version 3 controller, and have a killer lineup for the holidays with bundles. That to me would be realistic and while not as catchy as Zelda and Spider man 2. Still very solid and show they know how to market their console and upcoming games. Theres very little in the industry that can take attention away from Zelda, especially when Nintendo is sitting on over a 100 million units sold. I hope this is the year Xbox makes us happy.

They should include the Special Edition Forza controller as part of the bundle.

@Green-Bandit
Me to I’m right behind you on Xbox having a great 2023. I just wish they had a bit more get up and go about them, and let’s go get and beat that Sony and Nintendo and their own game attitude.

As Mick Foley once said I wish they have a bit more, Testicular fortitude 😂😂😂

@Green-Bandit
Will be fair though.
With Atomic heart and Wo Long on game pass
That could be a very very good game pass start to 2023.

@Dezzy70 good for current GP owners. but are they system sellers to get new subscribers?

the exclusives (1st or 3rd party) are what drives GP growth

@Dezzy70 Gotta love Mick Foley, i want Xbox to be all it can be to, cause they have a good blue print on hardware, Services and accessories. Which is all good and all but those are all just all for nothing without the great games. However Xbox isn’t missing much when it comes to 3rd party games. It’s just the exclusive content that the other 2 have is hugely missing and i will be honest they might never have a God of War or Last of Us game. But if i ain’t playing multiplayer games online and trying to get better at them, then a top notch story driven game with high production is what i want to sit back on and PS has those. Hell Blade 2 isn’t really my thing, if i want to listen to someone talk to themselves and shake peoples hands whom aren’t even standing there, i have a president right now that does that daily and on national TV.

@stvevan
Agree some show stopper first party AAA games is what Xbox consoles and GP really needs.

@Green-Bandit
Xbox needs its AAA game thing that’s all really, easier said than done.
Whatever it is it needs its Mario Kart, Zelda, god of war, last of us etc.

It should have been it with Halo Infinite, enough said I’m still getting over that, believe it or not, shocking.

@IOI if the more expensive bundled version becomes the only way to get a series X then it's a sly way of raising the price of getting the console without the backlash lol

@Dezzy70 Halo should be the killer game on Xbox, i agree. Sadly for me they have just been good not great since Halo 3. I actually liked 4 and thought the graphics were great, but overall the series is showing it’s age and is declining in the eyes of the youth that play Fortnite and others and of course COD. I gave up after nearly 50 plus hours on Overwatch 2, that game has a leveling up and punishment for being disconnected issues, along with every match having players quit and making the whole game uneven and awful. Team based shooters only work for league and mature gamers. Not the average youth, they aren’t to be trusted in a team role to win environment. Back to Xbox, this year is loaded with great 3rd party games, and that will give us something good to play, but their first party needs in a few years a few titles that goes wow thats a great game. Could that be Starfield and RedFall? I am not so sure, tho i am sure those games will be good. I am lucky enough to make enough money to support all 3 and i prefer to do that. But for the average gamer, that want’s one console, i can see why PS is a juggernaut still globally, remember here in the United States where i live, Xbox is almost 1-1 with PS5. It’s really globally they need their games and service and marketing to shine.

@Would_you_kindly even if it’s not the easier of the two to get long term; most people will grab the bundle ergo it’s stealth price raise. That’s why they do these bundles.

Edit: I’m agreeing with you it’s just I don’t think you need that qualifier in your statement. It’s price increase if they don’t lower the other console.