It's The UK's Turn! Xbox Series X Reduced By Over £100 For Christmas 2023

Enjoy it people!

It really does feel like the whole ABK acquisition put Microsoft in a holding pattern when it comes to marketing and sales because ever since it's been finalized, commercials and sales have been happening.

Could just be a coincidence given the timing of when the acquisition finalized, but even last Holiday season I don't think much was happening on the marketing and sales front.

Not to sound conspiracy theorist, but it also starts to look like Microsoft purposefully held back in order to put itself in a worse position than it could have been just for the sake of using it to strengthen its argument for the acquisition.

I mean, since the sales have been happening, there has been a significant boost in console sales - not enough to overtake Sony, but enough to show that people are interested in the Microsoft ecosystem (for the right price).

Anyways, I hope those who get one enjoy it. I really love all the bells & whistles the console provides.

Hopefully this shores up unit sales heading into 2024. Healthy market presence is needed so that 3rd party developers are sufficiently incentivised to release and optimise games for Series X hardware. Xbox console marketshare declining further would be bad for existing owners (like me).

@GamingFan4Lyf I was just reading on the other site that the Xbox consoles were down 26% year on year sales for November across Europe (accodring to GSD sales reports) so not sure if things are so rosy sales wise. Probably why they are dropping the prices in the UK. I thought the general narrative was the sales for Xbox was struggling. To be honest I never see any of these types of articles reported on Pure Xbox, so either they are trying to cover poor sales or the other articles aren't actually true.

@themightyant got both a Series X and Series S and launch in 2020 and never looked back. Both are great!

@StonyKL I thought I saw an article somewhere that the Xbox sales were up like over 200% due to recent price drops...maybe I am mistaken - wouldn't be the first time and won't be the last.

Glad to see Xbox is still the console with great value and making it easier for people to play games. Wish the other consoles would have some nice sales and then I might think of jumping in, but sadly, xbox + game pass is the winning combination for me moving forward!

November numbers were very scary. in Europe for November 2023, PS5 sold 1.7 million, Switch sold a little over 500K, and Xbox Series Consoles sold less than 250K. Man i mean that is a beating and i mean on one hand i understand cause they don’t have a killer must have title. But they do have great value in GP and the console’s themselves, so i just wonder what it will take to move more units. I have yet to see the numbers for North America. They should be better tho. Here’s hoping Xbox get’s this turned around and can move enough units to keep 3rd parties happy.

@HonestHick You know what's sad. Microsoft created the GDK to help streaminline development between PC and Xbox.

The problem is, GDK for PC is only for Game Pass PC (where it's simply required for any game on Xbox).

Why do that?!

Perhaps more developers would use it if Game Pass PC wasn't the requirement. Probably also explains why many AAA games don't come to the Microsoft Store.

I mean, you would think that if developers could use a single set of APIs, libraries, and documentation for both PC/Xbox for every game they make, this whole idea of "Xbox not being worth the development effort" would go away as any PC game could be an Xbox game with some optimization passes.

The refurb should be half new price, not just thirty notes cheaper.

@StonyKL EU doesn't include UK or Germany.

Series S starter bundle with 3 mnth GP is £179.99 now on Amazon .

@GamingFan4Lyf i agree with you and i know you know your stuff. But man i have to say after just beating Spider-Man 2, what the hell is MS doing? I mean Xbox one almost sunk them and they turn around with the Series and there is no game 3 years in that makes me go wow like i did playing Spider-Man 2. It’s just unbelievable to me, and it shouldn’t be cause as I have said on here many times before i am an Apple HARDCORE user. Been with Apple since the iPod almost 20 years now. Windows sucks and most things MS does is poor at best to me, but darn it, i loved my Xbox and Xbox 360. Those are really the only reason outside the controller i am even here anymore. Sorry for the rant, it’s not intended to you, but reading your post i just see MS in their own way like they have been since a sweaty Steve Ballmer on stage sticking his tongue out said no one will spend $600 on a iPhone, years later Apple has made MS take a bath. I want to trust Phil cause i like him and i know he’s a gamer, but 2024 and 2025 better be good or believe it or not the Series Consoles could not outsell the Xbox One. That is unbelievable to me. Your thoughts? Am i over reaching or just coming off a high playing Spider-man 2 and looking at my Xbox sideways?

@themightyant I wouldn't expect any new Xbox console in 2024 and the Series S is under £200 on Amazon with 3 months of GP! You won't get a deal much better than that right now!

Everytime I go to Argos, there is someone buying a Series X

@HonestHick Whats Apple TV like

@Vipor007 my wife uses it for certain shows she likes. But i rarely use it.i use my Apple Music subscription everyday. But Apple TV + not to much. Apple TV the device i mostly use as a better TV Ui as my LG Oled tv ui is trash.

@HonestHick I'll be honest, the only reason I have an Xbox Series X is because I think it has the better feature set for third-party games and better backwards compatibility.

While I really enjoyed Redfall, the only first-party game I can say I loved was Gears series. Even Halo is just a "Meh" for me - and this is coming from someone who has played a few Halo Infinite matches with Phil Spencer.

Psychonauts 2 was fantastic, though.

So, yeah, I am kind of waiting for Microsoft to wow me too. The problem I am seeing with Sony, though, is that it had all the "heavy hitters" come out at the start of the system and it's looking like it's going to be kind of a lull for a while. Third-party exclusives are going to be carrying the console for a while (which is fine as long as they are good).

Game Pass has been great for me though as it has introduced me to smaller titles I may have never bothered to try. Plus, at least I can try first-party games without much risk.

@HonestHick I've been looking at Apple TV as I have Aople Music myself and use it everyday

@Vipor007 it’s by far worth it. I won’t say it’s a top notch Apple device like most of them are. But if you like apple products and services and have a need to use them on a TV, then it’s a banger device for sure. For me, i use it for a better Ui, photos, Music and FaceTime on tv which is new but awesome. I have my whole house on Apple. Between my wife and daughter and self, we have 3 iPhones, 3 iPad’s , 3 set’s of AirPods, 3 Apple Watches and 2 apple TV’s and one Mac. They all work together so well that all of them are better cause of how many we own. If you are in that camp or close to it then i would say do it. Xbox is the only MS product we own in the house and while i love it and have for decades, i am getting tired of them not having jaw dropping titles.

@GamingFan4Lyf like always you are clever and spot on. I appreciate the reply. My thoughts are close to yours. Halo was never something i understood story wise but i enjoyed the gameplay. As i like shooters. Gears was and is my favorite Xbox IP and it’s not even close. Gears and Beers Co-op with friends has been my most fun with Xbox as a platform hands down and some of my best gaming moments overall. I too agree mostly that Xbox is a killer 3rd party machine. Smart delivery, quick resume, great controller, outstanding hardware (Series X) i have Diablo 4 on both Series X and PS5 and the color from Dolby vision looks so much better on Oled due to PS5 HDR diablo 4 having washed out grey blacks. So again you are right and i am the one throwing a fit, but dang man. Where is some killer games and GP isn’t such a value for the mass market that it’s moving consoles, instead they are getting ran over by switch and PS. This isn’t good, as with the life of Xbox one and 3 years of Series we have not 1 damn game that equals that i just finished with Spider-man. I just don’t understand man, i want to love this brand and come on here and be positive. But wow did this holiday season look bad for them. Not to mention Starfield is a meh title and they won’t admit it. I am losing faith and that concerns me as I’ve been a mega fan during the best and worst years of the platform. Again love your takes and sorry for the long rants. I am in my head today with where they are going.

£352 on amazon. That's a decent deal.

@HonestHick Back in the day, the 360 versions of cross-platform titles were almost always better, due to devs struggling with the PS3's peculiar architecture. That helped Xbox gain the lead during that era's earlier years. Ultimately, PS3 caught up and that generation ended up in a near-tie in terms of units sold.

Xbox had a lucky break during the 360 era, but hasn't been able to replicate the success since. Sony has been selling consumer electronics for decades, they understand the market much better than Microsoft.

It’s great to see Xbox undertake in some aggressive marking and campaigns.

Finally they have released if you want to be in the gaming industry you sure as dam need a console out there brandishing the Xbox name.
With over 50% of GP subs on Xbox console against all other devices, I think has also woken them up.

Now if they just want to be software and GP then cut the consoles ties now and do that. But they will really lose a lot doing that and Xbox brand would be no more, and GP would suffer to the point of closing down I think.

Fantastic deals and good buys.

BUT, this is clearly a needed response as sales across Europe are terrible. The imbalance in sales is the worst I think Ive ever seen between two competing consoles (please correct me if theres been a bigger imbalance.)
Im not hugely concerned about MS, they will be fine, but I am concerned about xbox as I believe this will hasten the plans MS already has to leave hardware behind and just be a publisher.

Regradless of buisness concerns, theres never been a better time to pick up a GP machine. Which is ironic as Ive let my own GP lapse for the first time ever and Ive not switched the series X on in over a month, but we all make personal choices... (mine relate to scumbag ABK managers who are now all team green)

@HonestHick I'm new to Xbox, but I have a PS5 & Xbox so I'm good in both camps. I've always used Apple Music instead of Spotify, I like the UI better than Spotify.

Game wise I have all the 360 & One Gen to play as I missed everything because I've had PS1 through to PS4 before Series X peaked my interest with the buyout of Bethesda at the time.

@Titntin

but I am concerned about xbox as I believe this will hasten the plans MS already has to leave hardware behind and just be a publisher

I mentioned here before, (on different pieces) but Microsoft going all in being a publisher come as surprise to anyone that follows console gaming or even be such a bad thing? They've had a go but clearly didn't work out for them, one can't indefinitely keep investing console R&D and always be outsold 3:1 or more.

I'm heavily invested in the Xbox ecosystem but if they find a solution for my/people's gaming library (not an easy task) perhaps via streaming etc, then I'm fine. Only Apple could realistically compete in hardware sales with the Nintendo and Sony, hopefully they'll join in if Microsoft leave console gaming .

@electrolite77 They were were aiming for a November 2022 release originally, but with 2023 being crowded with high-profile releases, they probably thought that September would be a more opportune moment. Somehow, I get the feeling they were anticipating the mixed reception.

Hence the price cut as a means to keep Xbox in the spotlight. Good move, regardless of the circumstances.

@Sol4ris Your quite correct, MS have been pretty upfront with their desire to be a big player in the mobile space with their own storefront and operating more as a mega publisher. Having a hardware platform seems secondary to their longer term efforts.

My concern arises as I think good strong competition is good for players on all platforms.

I dont have any personal concerns as I have a great PC and use steam, so I can still access anything I consider essential, which is why Ive been able to move away from my series X and MS in general with little concern (we've even unsubbed to office 365).

Xbox were always the function in MS I had most time for though and despite my opposition to the ABK whitewashing going on, I always imagined there would be an xbox. The industry would be much worse off without one..

The retailers know something we do not.
This always happens when hardware is approaching the beginning of the end of it's life.
I think new hardware that we don't quite know about will be released in the next 18 months or so.

@Titntin

My concern arises as I think good strong competition is good for players on all platforms

I agree, with emphasis on strong competition. Microsoft do offer a different option with the fantastic GamePass but strong competition? I think its a bit stretch there.

I always imagined there would be an xbox

For some reason it seems I always favour the loosing side, I absolutely loved Sega, alas we all know how that turned out 😅.

The industry would be much worse off without one

Perhaps you're right, but it's not only the industry that decides if a console lives or dies....

Edited: Wasn't there talk of Bobby K & Co fudging off sometime early next year? Or I'm just mistaken?

@Sol4ris Bobby will go soon at least
Unfortunately they've just cleared the last law suit with a paltry 54m payment, whilst insisting it be written that they were never proven to have done anything wrong. Not the language of a reformed attitude under a more benign leadership, but its long been obvious MS will not do the local level culture changes required for full change.
Still, that's my own beef 😢

@Sol4ris "strong competition? I think its a bit stretch there."

With Sony releasing only One First game for the whole year (and a very short game at that) whilst Microsoft released something like 7 First Party games Microsoft are more than enough competition for Sony.
Sonys First Party line up for 2024 looks almost as bare as 2023.

Then there's Gamepass Ultimate which makes PS Premium look terrible especially in terms of value.

@Qwiff i agree and it certainly feels that way. However Sony also does some bone headed things to their product lines from time to time, hence why their PC’s along with many others and the stores have all been axed. I used to love to go into the Sony store when i was younger and look around. Never had one of their PC’s but they looked awesome. I do like Sony’s TV’s tho. Still have one and would buy more in the future. Let’s hope Xbox hit’s 2024 right. 😊

@electrolite77 i agree and was wondering that earlier in the year going why are they going into the holiday season with nothing and letting Mario and Spider-Man be the big titles kids and adults see in the stores and on Tv. They need to compete in November, that is where generations are won and lost.

@Vipor007 yeah i prefer Apple’s Ui over most but for sure Spotify, also don’t like that on Spotify i have to use dark mode all the time and can’t switch it to a white back ground during the day which i see better. You are set with Xbox than, there is a ton of great 360 stuff to catch up on. Some decent Xbox One titles also. I too have both PS5 and Series X. I’ve had every PS and Xbox and not since the PS2 did i play more PS than Xbox, but it’s starting to go back to that.

@Sol4ris i would LOVE for Apple to get more into gaming. If they came into the console space it would take them time to compete and hire the right people to do the work. But they would have a lot of cross device app’s and loads of cash to build great studios. But i just don’t see it happening as Apple loves high profits and gaming consoles don’t have that. Not sure apple would care for the software profit and they have that in boat loads with mobile. Apple is by numbers I believe the largest in gaming. But i agree how much longer can Xbox say to themselves well we do good in America, but in Japan and Europe we get outsold 9-1. I mean think of those euro numbers i just laid out, 1.7 million PS5’s and only 240K Xbox’s. Thats not good. Not sure what the answer is outside of having must have games, but i am not sure 2024 has that, is avowed going to move the needle? Is South of Midnight? I don’t think so but i would like to be wrong.

@Sifi i agree that GP destroys PSN. However early in 2024 Sony has Final Fantasy rebirth, which will sell like crazy and keep that player base happy until Sony has more to show. Plus i agree MS should now be able to output more games than Sony but the size in which they grew their in house studios, but at what point is quality over quantity a thing. I would take 2 top notch games a year over 6 that are average games. So Sony is still doing just fine. But i do think MS makes Sony work harder and more honest and if they left it could be bad for gamers as Nintendo will not try and compete with Sony, they don’t need to. So that would just leave the PC market and even that won’t keep Sony in check in the console space.

@HonestHick
i would LOVE for Apple to get more into gaming. If they came into the console space.

I don't know much about Apple, my household has a single device from them, an Ipad.
What I do know, is that they have a brand with cult like following to possibly rival that of Sony's Playstation(and that's important), hence why I think they should join console gaming, plus no shortage of money 😉.

As for Microsoft and Xbox, I don't know, its definitely grim reading compared to PS/Nintendo and how far they're willing to go only Microsoft knows. But I hope they'll keep persevering, I love my Series X, GP , the Xbox ecosystem and controller.

In short I'll be on Xbox until there's an Xbox to be on, hopefully they won't go the way of my beloved Sega...

@Sifi

Look, I agree with what you are saying but at the same time we have to see the reality here. I'm genuinely convinced that Sony can release no firstparty games for two years and the PS5 will still outsell the Xbox by 3:1. The PS brand reached a point where it can just defy gravity 🙃.

@HonestHick The problem is that Microsoft continues to discuss games too early.

I understand why - Microsoft wants to build hype where it can - but when it doesn't deliver those games in a timely manner, people lose interest.

That being said, I am looking forward to what's to come. I know people have hated on Fable, but I am very interested in that. I hope Hellblade II delivers. I want to see more of Perfect Dark. Clockwork Revolution has piqued my interest. I dug the vibe of South of Midnight. Can't wait to finally see Indiana Jones. I really hope Blade is Microsoft's "Spider-Man". Avowed will hopefully be something special (I have learned that Obsidian is a safe bet for quality).

Sadly, there is pattern emerging here: we know there are games, but we don't have them in hand or even a great idea when we will. Does Everwild even exist anymore?! I daresay we know more about what's to come from Microsoft than we do Sony, but I feel like if Sony does have stuff cooking, we will have those games in hand before the aforementioned list of games are released.

@Sol4ris you make a good point about Apple having a large loyal fan base. I think the name Microsoft turns some people off and why they have so much hate online. If this were Sega struggle i think gamers would have more respect for them. I don’t remember gamers asking for Dreamcast to die. But social media wasn’t a thing then. I will continue to support Xbox as well. As i love the services, features and controllers. Plus i can’t wait to see what happens with Gears and Fable.

@GamingFan4Lyf they for sure do announce games a touch early, but then again Sony did that with the PS4 and it worked out fine for them. There is still a list of games i am excited about for Xbox. Gears, Fable and now Blade all should be great. I am just frustrated that we are entering year 4 and the list of games is still just a list and what has been released is a mess. People complain about Redfall and i get it, i thought it was fun. But what i can’t look past is Halo infinite, that game is in your house, it started in your house unlike Redfall. No reason for all the mess up’s on a flagship game as important as Halo. So i think that and then Redfall is what raised my flags a little. Asking myself do these guys realize what it takes to compete with Sony first party? Did the PS4 and Xbox One teach them nothing? I am not saying it didn’t, but 2024 is the year to show games are going to be good and not leave the oven a mess. I think if they do that they can at least get past 50 million sales and head into the next gen with a little momentum. At least i am hoping so, cause this November looked bad for them. Getting beat badly by a 7 year old console isn’t a good look even tho it is Nintendo.

@electrolite77 I certainly hope your right. Too much speculating from the press trying to make a story thats not thefe 😀

@Titntin @electrolite77 i agree I don’t believe MS is leaving the console space. I mean they have made ok money on Xbox one and Series X with having next to no big first party titles doing well. I think they will give all these studios time to show they can make a AAA game that is a big seller. My concern with Xbox is are they ok with being mediocre and knowing how to get to that next level that we all want them to be at. I think a game like Blade is a good measuring stick of how well they will develop and release a game. There is no reason it shouldn’t be top notch. If it’s not near or at Spider-Man level then we have a problem and so do they cause Marvel won’t let them have more chances. The next 3 games I have my eyes on to see where MS is headed is Gears 6 or Gears of war Collection, Fable and Blade. If they nail those i am for sure dusting off my funk that i am on with them at the moment and a happy camper.

@electrolite77 i also want to say you do make a great point, while 50 million isn’t PS impressive, it is more than what others have done and failed with. Sega, Wii U and many many others would have been happy to be at 50-60 million sales. It’s not so small that it’s awful but it is less than half of what a Nintendo Switch or PS will do. So a person does have to look at the bigger picture with those sales. But i don’t think they just throw that away. If they can grow that to around 75-80 million, i think that would be the ceiling of which you could say they are more than successful and here to stay to even the most negative Xbox hater. 80 million with PC sales on top of that is nothing to sneeze at. Plus Minecraft and COD money along with WOW money and that is a lot to walk away from.

@electrolite77 thank you, and i do think 75-80 Xbox’s would be a strong business for them on console. We all know PS and Nintendo are going to continue to sell to the masses. The only hope MS has at eating some of those PS numbers away slowly is if people see COD and other causal offerings on GP as the better buy for them. Also launching a new Zen 5 Xbox in 2026 and having the best looking COD for a year or 2 wouldn’t hurt them. I know it’s not easy or it would be done, but World of Warcraft on Xbox would easily move a few million units. Owning ABK gives them a lot of options and we have to see those play out over a span of years to see if it moves the needle. Which i think it will, at least slowly but that would be a good start.