Microsoft has recently revealed their affordable Xbox Series S Starter Bundle all set to get into gamers' hands from October 31, priced at $299.99. This bundle is certain to get young gaming enthusiasts excited, as it features an Xbox Series S 512GB console, a three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, and a wireless controller—a pretty sweet deal considering the individual price of an Xbox Series S.

The 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, on its own, is worth $50, taking into account its usual monthly pricing. However, remember that the subscription automatically rolls forward at its typical monthly rate unless canceled. For those thinking about upgrading their gaming kit for the holidays, this could be a perfect opportunity!

However, Microsoft faces some challenges. With a 13% year-on-year drop in Xbox hardware revenue and the PlayStation 5 proving stiff competition, the company is keen to boost its sales. And with the Xbox Series X and S approaching their third birthdays, the pressure is on.

Microsoft is reportedly planning a mid-generation refresh of these consoles in August and October 2024, according to rumors from last month's big Xbox information leak. On top of that, they're planning a "cloud hybrid" Xbox for a projected 2028 launch.

In separate news, Microsoft is also on track to conclude its astronomical $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard this week. The gaming giant behind popular titles such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush will become part of the Microsoft family. Despite this, Activision Blizzard has declared that gamers shouldn't expect their significant titles like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 on the Game Pass this year; however, they intend to add these games to the service from 2024.

Bottom line? Microsoft has some big plans in the pipeline for the future of Xbox, from new console iterations to massive corporate acquisitions.