In a statement to The Verge, senior director of console product marketing Cindy Walker stated that production for all Xbox One consoles halted by the end of 2020. The reason given for this is that Microsoft wanted to shift its focus to next-gen Xbox consoles.The Xbox Series X and S are Microsoft’s entries to the new console generation. First introduced in November 0f 2020, the consoles have more processing power and better graphics compared to their predecessors. Now that Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of the Xbox One, it’s clear that the company intends to pivot to next-gen projects.RELATED: PS5 Shortages Could Result In a Longer Console Generation Than Usual

The Xbox Series X/S Today

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Back in July 2020, Microsoft had already announced that it was discontinuing production for Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital consoles. This was done in preparation for the release of the Xbox Series X. However, it seems that the company also halted production for the “traditional” Xbox One S not long after this announcement. So since then, Microsoft has likely been working primarily on its next-gen endeavors.

This decision to focus on the Xbox Series X/S has evidently paid off, as the consoles have become the fastest-selling Xbox platforms of all time with over 12 million units shipped. Moreover, the consoles have been getting positive reviews from professionals and everyday gamers alike. The Xbox Series X has been praised as a powerhouse, capable of replicating the PC gaming experience.

The Xbox Series S has also contributed to Microsoft’s success in next-gen gaming, as it's the smallest Xbox ever with a disc-free configuration. This makes it relatively easier to manufacture compared to the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. As a result, Microsoft is able to ship out Xbox units despite the ongoing chip shortage.

Unlike Microsoft, Sony’s PlayStation 5 has been on a rocky road since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The global crisis led to a shortage of manufacturing components crucial to building PS5 units. As such, Sony hasn’t been able to mass-produce its next-gen console. Although the company has sold a considerable number of PS5 units, there are still countless PlayStation fans that have yet to get their hands on the console.

As such, Sony has decided to make more PS4 units in response to the ongoing shortage. The company’s original plan was to discontinue the last-gen console in 2021. However, it seems the delay is necessary to bring sales up amid the chip shortage.

The Next-Gen Experience

Major Xbox Series X S & Xbox One Games Announced For The Rest Of 2022 starfield, stalker 2, gotham knights

It seems that Microsoft isn’t just focusing on its consoles, but on the next-gen experience in general. Most notably, the Xbox Series X/S has an impressive lineup of exclusives. Some of the biggest titles include S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl, Starfield, and Scorn. All three are set to be released in 2022, making it an exciting year for Xbox fans. Other possible exclusives that don’t have a release date yet are a new Fable entry, Forza Motorsport, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

Players also have a promising set of titles to try through Xbox Game Pass. The monthly subscription has been known to offer both AAA and indie games, and the January lineup is no exception. It has well-known titles like Mass Effect: Legendary Edition and Outer Wilds in its roster, as well as promising games from smaller developers, such as Nobody Saves the World and Pupperazzi.

The most prominent title in January’s Xbox Game Pass, however, is Rainbow Six Extraction. It’s one of the first big games that will be released in 2022, so it’s a huge deal that it’s readily available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. With all that said, this seems to be a promising year for the Xbox Series X/S, and that’s due, in part, to the company’s decision to shift its priorities to the next-gen consoles.

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