Xbox Series X: ‘When gamers are ready for next-gen consoles, we’re here’

Seven years ago Xbox One was released, bringing titles like Halo 5, Forza Horizon 4 and Minecraft into around 60 million households worldwide.

Now it’s time to see what’s next – as Xbox introduces its next generation of console worldwide today.

“This will be an era where games feel tremendously better than before,” Phil Spencer, the boss of gaming at Microsoft, tells Newsbeat.

Phil says the real difference will be all about “speed and feel” with games being “much more responsive to players”.

‘If it’s not time to buy a new console, that’s fine’

Phil’s confident about the potential of both the Xbox Series X and its digital-only little brother the Xbox Series S but is acutely aware of the world into which these machines are being released.

“We’re at a time of a lot of uncertainty for families,” he says.

“Gaming is playing a really important role, and I don’t want to downplay the investments people have already made in Xbox.”

He promises Microsoft will carry on making games for the consoles people already have in their homes, despite the new launch.

“If this isn’t the right time for people to make a multi-hundred pound investment in the next generation, that’s fine with us – we’d rather just keep them playing.”

The new consoles

If gamers choose to spend £450 on an Xbox Series X they’ll be getting what Microsoft claims is the most powerful console on the market.

“We have new hard drive technology which loads things tremendously faster, so less waiting when you click a button,” Phil explains.

“How fast things happens on screen is going to be much more responsive than in previous generations.

“The box is just snappier and the convenience factor is going to be incredibly high. I’m looking forward for people to experience it.”

The Xbox Series S is a digital-only version (where games are downloads, not on disc) which offers similar graphics and speed for £250.

Offering player choice is Microsoft’s strategy for this generation of consoles. Phil says there has been a move from “device focused to player focused” in the games industry.

“Let’s meet the them where they are, whether that’s on our current console, our next console, on the PC, or even on their phone, let’s allow them to play Xbox, wherever they are,” he says.

“And when they’re ready to buy our next generation of consoles will be here ready for them.”