Xbox Series S could debut in August to put PS5 on notice

(Image credit: Reddit - u/jiveduder)

The Xbox Series Ten is one-time news — now, folks want to know near the Xbox Series S. This highly rumored console, also sometimes called "Project Lockhart," is supposedly a less powerful, all-digital variant of the Xbox Serial X, which will leverage Xbox Game Laissez passer subscriptions for entry-level gamers who want a foot in the door of the Microsoft gaming ecosystem.

Since Microsoft hasn't said a word most the console this calendar month, and July is reserved for Microsoft's showcase of first-political party games, we may see the Xbox Series S in Baronial. That is, if it really exists.

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Data comes from Eurogamer, which gathered Xbox Series S information from a variety of sources. Co-ordinate to the study, the Xbox Series S (or Lockhart, if you prefer) was originally going to exist an E3 reveal. Of form, E3 2020 never happened, due to ongoing public wellness concerns. Instead, Microsoft has been delivering Xbox Series 10 news piecemeal. In May, the company had a large video presentation about third-party games, and will do the same matter in July for first-party titles. However, nosotros didn't get much in June, save for a series of web log posts recapping Xbox Serial X features nosotros already knew nigh.

Every bit such, if Microsoft is going to reveal the Xbox Series S, August seems similar the smart bet. However, it's worth pointing out that Microsoft is not appreciative to anyone'southward schedule except its own. Surprise reveals are as good a strategy as whatsoever. Sony has already done that twice: Once, with the DualSense controller, and once again with the PS5's physical design. Microsoft could reveal the Xbox Series S on Twitter tomorrow; information technology could pull information technology out as a "one more thing" stinger at the July games showcase; it could wait until adjacent yr, afterwards the first wave of consumers has purchased their Xbox Series Xes.

There'southward also the not-insignificant possibility that there is no Xbox Serial S. While the evidence this fourth dimension around is compelling, it's worth noting that the vast majority of "low-powered Xbox" rumors over the years take been pure fabrication. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition pretty much came out of nowhere, and didn't radically change the Xbox One's specs, simply removing a (mayhap coincident) disc bulldoze instead. Either style, we'll have a solid reply come August.

Assuming that the Xbox Series S is a real thing, here's what you demand to know nigh information technology: The console volition be a depression-powered, low-priced alternative to a full Xbox Serial X. It'southward not clear how much the Series S might cost, but pricing it at least $100 cheaper than its Series X cousin would not exist impossible. The console would lack a disc drive, relying on game downloads instead, but it would be able to run every Xbox Series X game, albeit perhaps only at 1080p resolutions.

It doesn't sound terribly interesting to gamers who want the sheer power of the Xbox Series X: This time around, Microsoft isn't just building a console. It's edifice a gaming ecosystem. And now that Sony has revealed its disc-less PS5 Digital Edition, Microsoft may want to have a low-cost adjacent-gen console to get players in the door.

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom'southward Guide, overseeing the site'south coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and engineering. Later on hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.