Xbox Series X / S

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Important update about your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription

We received your last payment of ZAR 129.00 on Monday, September 2, 2024 for your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Thank you for your payment.

We want to let you know about a change to the amount of your next payment. Unless you cancel two days before Wednesday, October 2, 2024, we’ll charge ZAR 199.00 including taxes every month to your [card] ******.

We’ll tell you if this price ever changes. Cancel any time to stop future charges or change how you pay by managing your subscription in your Microsoft account.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to over 100 high-quality games on console, PC, and mobile devices, plus EA Play and Xbox Live Gold. With games added all the time, you’ll always have something new to play. Discover your next game today.

EDIT: Has been reported on before. Apparently I'm late to the party. Although, according to the article "Microsoft specifies that the price hikes taking effect in September 2024 only apply to new subscribers".

I'm on Game Pass since December 2019 but looks like I'm also getting hit by this price increase.

So either the article is wrong or Microsoft was talking ****. Which one is it?

Jirre, that's quite a jump.
 
So either the article is wrong or Microsoft was talking ****. Which one is it?


Worldwide prices are changing for Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and 12-month subscriptions to Game Pass Core.
  • On July 10, 2024, updated prices take effect for new member subscriptions.
  • Starting September 12, 2024, the price of recurring charges will change for existing members. Select countries are excluded from this price update. Recurring billing dates will not change. New prices take effect on the next recurring billing charge after September 12, 2024.
  • These changes will also take effect for 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month subscriptions to Game Pass Core in Türkiye, South Africa, and Argentina, as well as 6-month subscriptions to Game Pass Core in India.
 
All the more reason for a local tech wizz/team/company to develop our own gaming console. Exchange rates, taxes and import costs killing us.
Or am I living in a dreamworld? And to answer this question in part - Probably, as there is no alternative to Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft/PC worldwide. Would probably also step on a lot of studios/developers toes as they have agreements with the existing brands mentioned above.
Not being in the Gaming industry, what would some of the biggest challenges be to create a local console?
 
All the more reason for a local tech wizz/team/company to develop our own gaming console. Exchange rates, taxes and import costs killing us.
Or am I living in a dreamworld? And to answer this question in part - Probably, as there is no alternative to Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft/PC worldwide. Would probably also step on a lot of studios/developers toes as they have agreements with the existing brands mentioned above.
Not being in the Gaming industry, what would some of the biggest challenges be to create a local console?
The market is tiny, you'd make no money and fold
 
Agreed. But if an international company showed interest?
Also, it would have to be marketed for overseas markets as well to be sustainable.
You'd then need to get gaming companies to develop for it, as without games the console doesn't sell and the games is where the money is. You'd also be competing against MS and Sony who have already got millions of consoles out there.
 
Agreed. But if an international company showed interest?
Also, it would have to be marketed for overseas markets as well to be sustainable.
You're a dreamer, and thats nice, but there are many other businesses out there that would be far better/easier for a local entrepreneur to entertain.

The success of a console comes down to the games made for it. That's why Sony and Microsoft have been waring over exclusive titles for years. So if you build a locally made console, which MAJOR developer are you going to get to build an exclusive game for it, and where are you going to find the more-or-less R3billion that they are going to want you to give them to fund the development? You better also ensure that this game is a hit.

Secondly, Microsoft is leading the way in cloud gaming, and Sony are not far behind. Does this local console come with cloud gaming as well so you can, for example, play on your phone? That isn't available in SA YET but its happening oversease.

Thirdly, Sony and MS offer subscription services to their platforms that allow you to play hundreds of games with your sub. What does your subscription model look like for the local console, and what games are going to be on it? How are you going to incentivize or pay those developers to make their games available to owners of your console?

All of these things are critically important, because we all know the Sony and MS dont actually make any money on the tin. It just enables the cash-flow which comes from their on-console stores (oh ja, are you going to build on of these too?), the subscriptions, a royalty on in-app/in-game sales etc.

So hopefully this has enabled you to understand that building a local console is both pointless and practically unattainable. The Ouya tried with a novel concept, and failed. Sega have't tried in forever. It's not a very nice game.
 
You're a dreamer, and thats nice, but there are many other businesses out there that would be far better/easier for a local entrepreneur to entertain.

The success of a console comes down to the games made for it. That's why Sony and Microsoft have been waring over exclusive titles for years. So if you build a locally made console, which MAJOR developer are you going to get to build an exclusive game for it, and where are you going to find the more-or-less R3billion that they are going to want you to give them to fund the development? You better also ensure that this game is a hit.

Secondly, Microsoft is leading the way in cloud gaming, and Sony are not far behind. Does this local console come with cloud gaming as well so you can, for example, play on your phone? That isn't available in SA YET but its happening oversease.

Thirdly, Sony and MS offer subscription services to their platforms that allow you to play hundreds of games with your sub. What does your subscription model look like for the local console, and what games are going to be on it? How are you going to incentivize or pay those developers to make their games available to owners of your console?

All of these things are critically important, because we all know the Sony and MS dont actually make any money on the tin. It just enables the cash-flow which comes from their on-console stores (oh ja, are you going to build on of these too?), the subscriptions, a royalty on in-app/in-game sales etc.

So hopefully this has enabled you to understand that building a local console is both pointless and practically unattainable. The Ouya tried with a novel concept, and failed. Sega have't tried in forever. It's not a very nice game.
All valid points. Can't argue against that. All I have left then is my dreams. Oh well.
 
Hello everyone,

I am contemplating making a purchase of an Xbox Series X for myself and my children. I would like to know if this is a wise decision considering the console's age. I have not seen any newer versions released yet.

Additionally, I am interested in getting the Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Could you kindly recommend some enjoyable split-screen and local co-op games that we can play together as a family?

I own a Samsung 4K Smart TV, model QN90D. So it should be compatible with the Xbox Series X at 4k.

Lastly, I would appreciate suggestions for a reliable charging dock that can accommodate two controllers.

Thank you very much for your assistance.
 
Hello everyone,

I am contemplating making a purchase of an Xbox Series X for myself and my children. I would like to know if this is a wise decision considering the console's age. I have not seen any newer versions released yet.

Additionally, I am interested in getting the Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Could you kindly recommend some enjoyable split-screen and local co-op games that we can play together as a family?

I own a Samsung 4K Smart TV, model QN90D. So it should be compatible with the Xbox Series X at 4k.

Lastly, I would appreciate suggestions for a reliable charging dock that can accommodate two controllers.

Thank you very much for your assistance.
I have a near-launch console and I'm pretty happy with mine. It's great for couch gaming, which is really why I'm having a tough time letting go of mine. It's pretty much just sitting and waiting for Indiana and Stalker at the moment though.

If it were me looking to get an X, I wouldn't buy new, I'd pick up a second hand one on carb. Don't really see the point of paying the same price or more than I did 3 years ago for the same hardware. The prices are messed up IMO.

I can only think of 3 games at the moment:

* Unravel 2
* A way out (not really for kids)
* It takes two (this was honestly a banger of a game, 10/10)

Can't recommend any docks. I have a fleet of rechargable batteries I juggle around.

Besides some odd scuff marks, my console is in good nic I think. The only sigh of wear is on the controller that came with mine.
 
Hello everyone,

I am contemplating making a purchase of an Xbox Series X for myself and my children. I would like to know if this is a wise decision considering the console's age. I have not seen any newer versions released yet.

Additionally, I am interested in getting the Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Could you kindly recommend some enjoyable split-screen and local co-op games that we can play together as a family?

I own a Samsung 4K Smart TV, model QN90D. So it should be compatible with the Xbox Series X at 4k.

Lastly, I would appreciate suggestions for a reliable charging dock that can accommodate two controllers.

Thank you very much for your assistance.
I also have a series x.

In my opinion, there are not much local co op / couch co op games out there that are great. The only one that comes to mind is FIFA but I am not a sports game fan.

My opinion, get 2 x series a and a second tv.

With one game pass subscription you can play online together, for example Forza motorsport or horizon.
 
I also have a series x.

In my opinion, there are not much local co op / couch co op games out there that are great. The only one that comes to mind is FIFA but I am not a sports game fan.

My opinion, get 2 x series a and a second tv.

With one game pass subscription you can play online together, for example Forza motorsport or horizon.
Or one Series X and a series S for the other tv
 
Unfortunately, I am unable to afford two consoles and two televisions. However, I was able to find a reasonable deal for the console and two controllers. My children will be overjoyed. I discovered that Rayman Legends is compatible with the console, so I might try it out. Thank you for your advice. :D
 
Unfortunately, I am unable to afford two consoles and two televisions. However, I was able to find a reasonable deal for the console and two controllers. My children will be overjoyed. I discovered that Rayman Legends is compatible with the console, so I might try it out. Thank you for your advice. :D
How old are the kids? Cause Gears of War series :)
 
I have two young daughters who share my passion for technology and gaming. They especially love playing Roblox, Minecraft, Sonic, and similar games. They have even taken over my computer for gaming sessions and have even managed to surpass my skills in Mario and other games, which makes me a proud father. :D While I consider myself a gamer from the old school, I no longer have the time to adjust various settings and deal with driver issues on a gaming PC just to play a game for a short while.
 
I have two young daughters who share my passion for technology and gaming. They especially love playing Roblox, Minecraft, Sonic, and similar games. They have even taken over my computer for gaming sessions and have even managed to surpass my skills in Mario and other games, which makes me a proud father. :D While I consider myself a gamer from the old school, I no longer have the time to adjust various settings and deal with driver issues on a gaming PC just to play a game for a short while.

With that I would rather recommend a getting them a Switch. Got a Switch for my Wife as an Xmas pres 2 years back and it has some great games including co-op games.
See https://www.dekudeals.com/games?filter[multiplayer]=offline
Then again with the Switch 2 release just around the corner that might be something to consider when it launch instead.

I mostly see an Xbox as a solo-player type of system, there are some 2-player games the selection is not as great as Nintendo's offerings, check out https://gamepassport.net/ to see if there are split-screen games that appeal to you or more to your daughters on GamePass eg:

1727757374126.png


Edit: When the Switch 2 drop it might even be worth while looking for 2nd hand sales from people that are upgrading.
 
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Unfortunately, I am unable to afford two consoles and two televisions. However, I was able to find a reasonable deal for the console and two controllers. My children will be overjoyed. I discovered that Rayman Legends is compatible with the console, so I might try it out. Thank you for your advice. :D

Congrats.

Don’t waste your time and money with battery packs and controller docks - rechargeable AAs are the way to go. Those battery packs don’t last very long (I think I got about a year out if mine).
 
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