Microsoft’s elusive next-gen Xbox Series S has again appeared in the wild, further confirming that the less powerful, budget little brother to the flagship Series X is indeed real.
A Twitter user by the name of @BraviaryBrendan shared their findings after recently buying a new Xbox controller directly from the Microsoft website.
An accompanying card featuring a redemption code for a 14-trial of Microsoft’s Game Pass Ultimate subscription service makes a clear as day mention of the Series S. It certainly seems like Microsoft has yet again leaked its own announced console. It reads:
“Includes XBox Live Gold and unlimited access to over 100 high-quality games on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10.”
This latest mention joins a growing list of Xbox Series S-themed slip-ups centered around Microsoft’s updated Xbox controller. In July, a mysterious all-white Xbox controller surfaced at a party hosted by the child of a Microsoft employee. In August, an Xbox owner successfully purchased one of the updated controllers via a resale site, which featured official documentation referring to the Series S.
Specific specifications for the Xbox Series S also cropped up last month, confirming the ‘less powerful next-gen option’ description rumors have assigned to the console to date.
While there’s little doubt about the existence of the Xbox Series S, its inclusion in official promotional material suggests Microsoft had plans to announce the console by now. Why this didn’t happen is a mystery, but it’s likely the volatile nature of this particular lead up to the next-gen, and promotional plans changing due to the ongoing pandemic played their part.
Microsoft remains tight-lipped about the console, the only official communication coming from a brief statement given to The Verge that reads :
“We have a lot in store for Xbox in 2020 and can’t wait to share with you. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”
What’s clear is that Microsoft can’t keep the Series S under wraps for much longer. Whether it’s waiting for Sony to drop a price for the PS5 first before hitting back with a comparatively lower-priced alternative is unclear, but time is running out as November creeps ever closer.