The Xbox Series X could be much more affordable than fans expect because of the Xbox All Access subscription, Xbox has suggested. The Xbox All Access program was launched in 2018 and allows subscribers to get Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and an Xbox One console by paying a monthly fee.
Speaking to IGN, Xbox Phil Spencer confirmed that the team plans to "go big" with Xbox All Access for the Xbox Series X. Spencer said that the team will be really pushing the program at the "launch of the consoles." The use of a plural isn't a typo and some fans felt that it was odd that Spencer said consoles and not console, singular. There have been rumors that there will be another Xbox console at launch and that it will be cheaper, but nothing has been officially confirmed.
While it's unclear if Spencer just misspoke, the decision to go all in with Xbox All Access does suggest that the Xbox team is thinking much more about affordability. One of the biggest issues with the Xbox One launch was that the console was so expensive largely because the team had chosen to make the Kinect camera and sensor a mandatory part of the console bundle. This allowed the PS4 to quickly get a sales lead on the Xbox One and it also turned some fans against the Xbox brand.
Pushing Xbox All Access could also help Xbox make much more money in the long-term. By getting people onto subscriptions such as Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass, they will likely become much more loyal. Brand loyalty and having such a large library of Xbox games to enjoy also makes them unlikely to change to a PS5. If someone is locked into a 24 month contract to pay for their Xbox Series X, they probably aren't going to leave and pay the rest of the contract subscription before it ends, just so that they can buy a different console.
The Xbox All Access upgrade program which launched with Amazon last year allows gamers on an Xbox One subscription to easily go on an Xbox Series X subscription. This sort of program makes it less likely for Xbox One players to choose to buy a PS5 and not an Xbox Series X.
Going into an Xbox All Access subscription may seem like a big commitment for some gamers, but for others, it may be the only way they can afford an Xbox Series X at launch. Spencer has said that he "feels good" about the Xbox Series X price, but few fans are expecting the console to sell for less than $400.
The Xbox Series X is slated to release this holiday season.
Source: GameSpot