Microsoft and Xbox have both had a fairly bumpy road to launching their next-gen consoles. With delays to Xbox Series S, the all-digital console that will sell for a lower price than the Xbox Series X. Now, thanks to a now-confirmed leak, players know the price and specs of the Xbox Series S. The only problem is that its storage space is WAY too small for an all-digital console.
After a leak showed the Xbox Series S and a price of $299.99, Microsoft was quick to make everything official. Some specs were also revealed, including the system's storage space of 512 GB. That's most likely going to be a big problem, considering the Xbox Series S is an all-digital console.
Video games these days are huge. Games that take up 100 GB or more of storage space, like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Red Dead Redemption 2, are more and more common. ittedly, some titles require less storage space on Xbox One than PS4, but even Gears of War 4 took up 100-12o GB of storage. Most recently, Call of Duty: Warzone received an update that was 66 GB for Xbox One and only 1 GB for everyone else. Next-gen titles will presumably take up even more space, which means 512 GB on the Xbox Series S is going to be a real issue.
Why Xbox Series S's Storage Space Is Too Small
On the Xbox One, most AAA exclusive titles averaged 40-60 GB of storage space. That means the Xbox Series S could reasonably fit somewhere between five and ten games. That's assuming, of course, next-gen games keep the same storage space average (which they won't) and that no storage space will be needed for Xbox preferences and system updates (which it will). When considering those factors, it's most likely the Xbox Series S will only fit around three or four AAA next-gen titles. That's an insanely lower number, especially for an all-digital console. However, Microsoft may have something else in mind.
The biggest reason the Xbox Series S may have such limited storage space is because Microsoft is trying to use it to appeal to more casual gamers who want a cheaper next-gen option and may not play many games to begin with. There's also Microsoft's xCloud streaming service, which started its beta with Xbox Game Ultimate subscribers in August. Buying a system like the Xbox Series S is cost-efficient for people who are only looking to stream their next-gen games. Microsoft also manages to undercut Sony's PS5 and compete with Nintendo's Switch prices — all while ushering in paid subscriptions through its own game streaming service. It's a win-win for Microsoft and the Xbox Series S.
Whatever Microsoft is planning, s should be wary of the Xbox Series S's limited storage space. However, for casual gamers who don't buy many games, or for those planning to stream most of their video games, the all-digital console may be a cost-efficient option.
