The Discfree Xbox one s Hits Stores on May 7th for 250
A disc-free digital Xbox One is not a fantasy for cord cutters or Fortnite fans of the present generation who haven't had to step foot in a GameStop. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition will hit retailers on May 7th, for $250 (that's $50 less than the Xbox One S) and it's available for pre-order today.
The console includes three Microsoft-owned, popular games -- Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 3 and Minecraft -- as well as a special offer on Xbox Game Pass, the monthly subscription service that includes access to more than 100 games.
Hardware-wise, the All-Digital Edition is the Xbox One S without the optical drive, which means it can't play physical discs or Blu-ray. However it does have all of your Xbox One accessories and digitally purchased games and applications will work on the new console.
This baby has been a long-awaited. Rumors of a disc-less Xbox One started bubbling late in the year and Microsoft has kept the intrigue alive by focusing on its digital ecosystems, such as Game Pass and Project xCloud the game streaming service that is set to launch in 2019. Microsoft is preparing to compete with Google Stadia. This ambitious social media-focused service, which promises to stream games to all devices at 4K/60fps, is an ambitious social media-focused service offered by Google. Stadia will launch in the next year.
Microsoft isn't ready to roll out Project xCloud or any other streaming service at this point, but it's laying the groundwork for the future of gaming's Netflix-style. This means that Xbox will be doubling down on its subscription services. Monthly subscription fees are the core of companies like Netflix and Hulu, generating billions of dollars for each business and will be just as important to gaming companies operating in a digital-first economy.
In reality, this means players need to add the cost of being online and accessing games to the price of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. Microsoft offers online features to all gamers free of charge, such as Skype and streaming apps, but multiplayer is limited by the Xbox Live Gold paywall. The most affordable price for Xbox Live Gold is $60 for the whole year or $5 per month.
Online multiplayer is not an "extra" feature in many modern games, but rather a core aspect of the game's gameplay. Fortnite, Rocket League and Overwatch are all online-only or online-focused games. All three of the games that are included with the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition -Forza Horizon 3, Sea of Thieves, Minecraft and Forza Horizon 3 -- require Gold to access their complete experiences. Xbox Live Gold, it could be argued, is essential for anyone who wants to enjoy the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition.
The All-Digital Edition, which is a disc-less console that does not have physical discs, is an excellent way to avail the Xbox Game Pass. For just $10 per month ($120 a year) users have access to a library of more than 100 games which they can download and play for as long as their subscription is in good standing. Microsoft just combined this service with Xbox Live Gold in the Game Pass Ultimate bundle, that costs $15 per month ($180 per year). After all is said and done, Game Pass Ultimate costs the same as an annual Gold subscription, as well as monthly Game Pass access.
The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is designed to work in an online ecosystem, even though it is priced a bit extra to access its entire range of online features. In response to Engadget's request for clarification on subscription services available on the All-Digital Edition, a Microsoft spokesperson issued the following statement:
To play multiplayer, Games with Gold, and Deals with Gold, you will require Xbox Live Gold. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition does not come with an optical disc drive. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition includes a one-month subscription to Xbox Live Gold, so you can play on the most advanced multiplayer network straight out of the box. 53vv
The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition was designed to allow disc-free gaming and entertainment. As part of the Xbox One family you'll have the ability to exclusive Xbox memberships such as Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold and benefit from features such as Xbox One Backward Compatibility.
The gaming industry is currently in the process of transition. 53vv Large companies are trying to adapt their old business models to the new environment. Online play wasn't a necessary or expected element in many games prior to recent years. When Microsoft launched the Xbox One in 2013, it attempted to market the console as an "always online" console. It was slammed so that it eventually reverted its course and released an older-style console that is less focused on digital features. Online gaming was still considered a premium experience and it made sense to add an extra charge for access to multiplayer and the cloud. With a console designed specifically for gaming online it's more difficult to sell.
Selling hardware and then charging for specific or extended services isn't a new concept -- in fact, it's largely the way that the market for smartphones operates. The gaming hardware industry is starting to mirror the mobile market due to the expansion of the broadband infrastructure, rapid advancements in hardware, and the emergence of strong cloud networks and subscriptions are bound to play a big part in the future.
The disc-free Xbox OneS hits stores on May 7th for $250.
