Microsoft has announced a Starter Bundle for the Xbox Series S, due out October 31 priced $299.99. It's available to preorder now at the Microsoft Store.
The Xbox Series S – Starter Bundle includes an Xbox Series S 512GB console, three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, and a wireless controller.
The Xbox Series S on its own normally costs $299.99. Microsoft said three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate represents a $50 value, based on its regular monthly price. The subscription continues automatically at the then-current regular monthly price unless canceled.
Microsoft will be keen to shift as many Xbox Series consoles as possible during the crucial holiday quarter and is playing catchup with Sony’s rival console the PlayStation 5. In July, Microsoft reported an Xbox hardware revenue decline year-over-year of 13%, with the company pointing to falling sales.
That’s a worry for Microsoft as the Xbox Series X and S head towards their three-year anniversary. Last month’s massive Xbox leak revealed that Microsoft sees the "expected starting period" of next-gen consoles to be 2028, and unveiled huge plans for a "cloud hybrid" Xbox that year. Before that, though, it's apparently planning a mid-generation refresh of the Xbox Series X and S during August and October 2024, respectively.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly set to seal its $69 billion buyout of Activision Blizzard this week, which would bring the maker of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush in-house. Activision Blizzard has said not to expect the likes of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 to hit Game Pass this year, but did say it plans to launch its games into the subscription service from 2024.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.