Xbox is distracted — will it miss the boat on these major upcoming opportunities to actually sell more Xbox Series X|S consoles?

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Among the various aspects, one persistent challenge for Xbox has been noticeably lower-than-expected sales of the Xbox Series X|S hardware during this generation.

From the get-go, the Xbox Series X|S saw strong sales performance, often matching and even surpassing the PS5 in sales within the United States during NPD reports. In fact, Xbox managed to claim the top spot during certain holiday seasons at the beginning of this console generation. However, that early lead didn’t prove sustainable.

Initially, the PlayStation 5 struggled with stock shortages, but later managed to overcome them, leaving the Xbox Series X|S at a significant disadvantage in sales competition. For nearly two years, the Xbox has experienced continuous quarterly drops in sales. However, in fiscal Q3 2023, Xbox reported an increase in hardware sales due to increased supply and pandemic-driven demand.

As of now, the Xbox Series X is available at Amazon for $598.99, while the Xbox Series S can be found in stock for $429.99. However, it’s been challenging to find stock consistently across global retailers, especially in Europe and Asia. Notably, Microsoft raised the prices of their consoles due to the Trump administration’s tariffs, which has increased the cost of the Xbox Series X by nearly $100 compared to the PS5 of equivalent value.

It seems quite logical that the continuous decline in sales of the Xbox Series X|S over the past two years isn’t surprising. However, there are several factors that might come together over the next year to potentially halt this downward trend. The question remains whether Microsoft, the manufacturer of Xbox, is mindful of these developments or if it’s too preoccupied with other matters?

Developers are finally abandoning the Xbox One and PS4

Over a period of several weeks, and going back further, an increasing number of games are transitioning away from previous generation platforms.

Compared to their predecessors, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles have surprisingly experienced a greater amount of stickiness. The shared x86 architecture has made it easier for developers to roll out updates across various versions of the same game, extending the lifespan of players on these systems. Additionally, the popularity of service games has kept gamers content on older platforms for a longer period than could have been expected with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles in earlier times.

If an individual primarily utilizes their console for gaming, focusing mainly on titles such as FIFA, Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft – all of which have performed admirably on previous-generation systems – what benefits might there be for them to consider an upgrade?

Well, increasingly, they may soon have no choice.

Major games such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Genshin Impact, Rust, Hunt: Showdown, and many others have recently announced that they will no longer provide support for their PS4 and Xbox One versions. For instance, PUBG will cease support for these platforms on November 13, 2025. Genshin Impact is also planning to discontinue support for the PS4 this year. Even new titles in popular series like Battlefield 6 are moving away from older consoles, despite previous editions being compatible.

An increasing number of significant publishers are eager to move past the last-gen consoles and capitalize on the enhanced performance offered by the Xbox Series X|S and PS5/Pro. Although it may take some time for a substantial number of players to transition until popular games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft cease support for older systems, this shift in preference is quite evident.

However, it seems like Microsoft might not possess sufficient inventory or promotional strategies to capitalize on this situation effectively. On the other hand, as content becomes more transferable across platforms, users could easily transition from Xbox One to PS5 if they encounter a shortage of Xbox Series X|S systems that align with their version.

From my perspective as an analyst, I find it challenging to argue that Microsoft has effectively bolstered the appeal of the Xbox Series X|S in recent years. The upward price adjustments, scant marketing efforts, and now a dearth of exclusive games make the Xbox Series X|S a tough proposition for potential buyers. Intriguingly, even the more affordable Xbox Series S, though marginally cheaper than the PS5 Digital Edition, lacks the power to justify its price tag.

With an increasing number of publishers leaving Xbox One and PlayStation 4 behind, Microsoft may find themselves losing even more console gamers to the PS5 if they don’t have a solid plan in place. It appears there is another significant future event that Microsoft seems not yet fully prepared to face.

GTA 6 is going to be a huge moment in gaming history

One potential rephrasing of your sentence could be: The largest expansion areas for conventional hardcore gaming at present might be Windows PC and platforms such as Steam. However, a highly anticipated game is expected to debut first on other platforms rather than PC.

The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 is reaching fever pitch. Speculation swirls that the game might retail over $100. Even some investment firms and analysts are setting high standards, suggesting it could sell an astounding 85 million copies within its first two months – with estimates from Ampere predicting a staggering $1 billion in sales on its initial day.

As a researcher, I can confirm that, similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V before it, Grand Theft Auto 6 is not expected to be immediately accessible on Windows PCs at launch. This news might induce a significant sense of anticipation, particularly among the vast community of gamers who continue to use PS4 and Xbox One consoles. The FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) could potentially reach extreme levels.

Many individuals are expected to purchase current-generation consoles for the first time primarily due to Grand Theft Auto 6. Previously, one could argue that the Xbox Series S was the most cost-effective option for playing GTA 6, but with recent price hikes, this is no longer accurate. Instead, spending a bit more will get you the PS5 digital edition, which may provide a superior visual experience for the game as well.

There’s speculation that GTA 6 might partner with certain consoles for a promotional event, but it seems likely that PlayStation could be the chosen platform given Sony’s history of securing big console marketing deals, particularly for Call of Duty in previous years. Even though Microsoft now owns Call of Duty, Xbox hasn’t utilized the popular first-person shooter franchise to boost their hardware sales as much as Sony has.

As a devoted fan, I’d say it subtly hints at a mixed feeling. Microsoft’s gaming division has certainly stepped out of the box in terms of promoting their ecosystem, yet they proudly admit that Xbox Game Pass, uniquely available on Microsoft platforms, plays a significant role in their overall earnings. Interestingly enough, most of these users are found nestled within the Xbox console family.

Perhaps it would be wise for Microsoft to seize these uncommon chances to expand its assured hardware ecosystem.

Is Xbox prepared for ANY of this?

Absolutely! Microsoft is expanding its platform beyond just Xbox consoles. Coming up is the Xbox Ally, essentially a Windows PC. Microsoft has been subtly suggesting that the future first-party Xbox will resemble a Windows PC more than ever, offering compatibility with Steam and other PC game stores, as well as backward compatibility with the current Xbox console ecosystem. There are even whispers about Microsoft collaborating with OEMs to design PCs with an Xbox look, which we can verify is in development, potentially by 2026.

As an analyst, I find myself intrigued by the myriad opportunities that Microsoft’s collaboration with AMD on hybrid APUs for PC-Xbox systems presents. It’s not just a coincidence that the woman now overseeing Xbox hardware previously spearheaded Microsoft’s Windows OEM business. Currently, I’m delving into various rumors about upcoming hardware from Xbox-compatible desktop PCs to even customizable graphics cards that could potentially transform your personal computer into a hybrid console.

Moving forward, it’s important to note that this situation pertains to the future, although it’s not entirely certain. For the Xbox platform to remain an attractive destination for developers, Microsoft must keep in mind that they still have the Xbox Series X|S available for a few more years at least. There have been significant fluctuations in supply, especially outside of the US, and it appears that Microsoft may not be fully prepared for the approaching end-of-life phase of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m thrilled about devices like the Xbox Ally and the prospective Xbox OEM PC in 2026. However, it’s essential to note that these devices won’t be able to run Xbox games until the AMD partnership materializes, which is expected in 2027 and beyond. Regarding GTA 6, I’m afraid we won’t see it running on these devices anytime soon.

Microsoft holds a wealth of possible strategies. Might we witness discounts approaching Black Friday and the 2025 festive season? Could Microsoft reconsider its approach for Call of Duty 2026, phasing out Xbox One and PS4? Might Microsoft secure an Xbox Cloud Gaming partnership for Grand Theft Auto 6 to expand Xbox’s realm in that sector?

It seems challenging to predict, but here’s hoping that Microsoft won’t overlook these unique chances for their current-generation Xbox Series X|S consoles. Such opportunities are beneficial not only for developers but also for consumers as they foster growth within the ecosystem.

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2025-08-14 22:17