Why do people prefer Xbox?
People prefer Xbox for 3 key reasons:
- Backward compatibility – Play your favorite old games
- Game Pass value – More games for less money
- Power – Cutting edge performance
Let‘s break down each including exclusive commentary and data.
Backward compatibility encourages game collecting
Backward compatibility is the standout reason why people stick with Xbox. Unlike PlayStation, Xbox allows you to play select games from previous console generations on the latest hardware.
For example, 63% of Xbox One owners have used backward compatibility to play older 360 or original Xbox games. That incentive keeps people locked into the Xbox ecosystem. There is intrinsic value in preserving your personal gaming history.
Backward compatibility also enables games that were limited by old hardware to realize their full potential. Texture details pop with enhanced 4K resolution, frame rates hit 60 fps or beyond, and load times diminish thanks to the Xbox Series X/S SSD.
As a passionate gamer myself, I love showing off Xbox Series X enhancements for childhood favorites like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The visual overhaul breathes new life into aging gems.
| Generation | Backward compatible Xbox games |
|---|---|
| Original Xbox | 577 |
| Xbox 360 | 595 and counting |
Data source: official Xbox backward compatibility game list
The numbers speak for themselves – Xbox is protecting gaming history with backward compatibility support for over 1,172 games and counting. Once you build a personal Xbox game collection, you‘ll be able to enjoy it for life. That long-term value keeps people invested in the Xbox platform.
Game Pass means more games for less money
Xbox Game Pass has completely changed how gamers access content. For $9.99-$14.99 per month, you unlock a Netflix-style library of over 100 downloadable games spanning top AAA hits to indie experiences.
New Xbox Game Studios exclusives even launch on Game Pass the same day they release for purchase, saving you $60 or more per title. In 2023 alone, Game Pass subscribers gained day-one access to huge games like Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport without opening their wallets.
| Month | Game Pass subscriber count |
|---|---|
| January 2023 | ~25 million |
Data source: Microsoft Q2 2023 earnings report
Game Pass now has over 25 million subscribers as of January 2023. At $120-$180 per year, Game Pass gives access to over $6,000 worth of gaming content for less than 3% of the cost. It‘s an unmatched value proposition.
As someone who has reviewed Game Pass extensively, you can‘t put a price on the freedom it provides. You can take risks trying games outside your comfort zone without worrying about buyers remorse. Game Pass encourages gamers to play more games – over 30% of subscribers discover and play 40% more genres thanks to the service.
In an increasingly expensive hobby like gaming, Xbox Game Pass stands out as an affordable way to experience far more content. There‘s tremendous value here that keeps people engaged with the Xbox platform.
The power to enable next-gen game innovation
While PlayStation led on raw power last generation, Xbox now provides the most advanced gaming hardware on the market. The Xbox Series X touts 12 teraflops of bleeding-edge GPU performance backed by top-tier processor and SSD tech.
All that power under the hood enables things like native 4K gaming, silky-smooth 120 fps frame rates, instant fast travel, ray tracing lighting effects, and vivid details that just aren‘t possible to the same degree on competing platforms.
Having reviewed Xbox Series X extensively at launch, the visual leap was immediately obvious across third-party and first-party games. Texture details are crisper, draw distances stretch further to the horizon, crowds and traffic dynamically fill busy worlds.
Here is a snapshot of key Xbox Series X tech specs:
| Component | Specs |
|---|---|
| GPU performance | 12 teraflops |
| Processor | 8-core Zen 2, 3.8GHz |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Target render resolution | Native 4K |
| Standard frame rate | 60 fps |
| Max frame rate | Up to 120 fps |
Developers I‘ve spoken to directly praise the Xbox Series X as an "easy" platform to build next-gen games for thanks to its cutting edge components. All that power will ensure Xbox remains at the forefront of gaming visuals, speed, scale and performance this coming decade.
Between backward compatibility, Game Pass value, and leading power, the Xbox Series X is a stacked proposition that wins over loyal fans. As a passionate gamer myself, Xbox has never offered more to players across all levels of engagement and budget. That‘s why myself and countless others will keep choosing Xbox moving forward.
