Microsoft with the new Xbox Series S Starter Bundle

Microsoft has announced a new set for the Xbox Series S console, which will be available on October 31 at a price of 299.99 euros. Pre-orders of the #141 are still available in the Microsoft Store, which also applies to European users.

Xbox Series S - Starter Bundle includes a 512GB Xbox Series S console, a three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a wireless controller.

At first glance, the set looks quite attractive. The Xbox Series S is usually available for exactly 299 euros. Microsoft said that three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate represents a value of €50 - compared to the regular monthly price. The subscription is automatically renewed at the current regular monthly price, unless you cancel it early.

Microsoft will want to sell more in the key holiday quarter. Xbox consoles and is desperately chasing Sony's rival PlayStation 5. In July, Microsoft reported a 13% annual decline in revenue from Xbox hardware, which was blamed on a general decline in consumer spending worldwide.

These numbers worry Microsoft as the Xbox Series X and S approach their third anniversary. Recently, leaked documents revealed that Microsoft doesn't expect to start production of its next-gen consoles until 2028. Big plans for these cloud-focused Xboxes, also in 2028, have also been revealed.

Before that, they plan to refresh the Xbox Series X and S generations in August and October 2024. We can expect that Microsoft will finish its acquisition of Activision Blizzard studios for 69 billion dollars before then, and it will be the game maker Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush under its wing. Activision Blizzard said they don't expect games like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 to come to Game Pass this year. But they said that they plan to launch their games in the beginning of 2024.