Microsoft’s imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Xbox goes past its personal hardware–as the corporate seems to be to increase into streaming and mobile–but that does not imply Microsoft is abandoning Xbox hardware–far from it. The corporate has stated, again and again, that it goals to supply a variety of the way for individuals to develop into Xbox clients, and that features through Xbox consoles.
However what’s coming subsequent after the Xbox Sequence X|S? The long run continues to be fuzzy, however Microsoft has dropped clues and made statements about what’s subsequent. On this put up, we’re rounding up all the things we all know to date in regards to the subsequent Xbox console.
Maintain checking again for extra, as we’ll replace this put up with new particulars as they develop into out there.
Subsequent Xbox launch date, worth hypothesis
The following Xbox has not but been introduced, so it is too quickly to say what it might price or when it might launch. A serious leak from the Microsoft vs. FTC court docket case revealed a few of Microsoft’s plans for the following Xbox, together with a heavy give attention to “cloud hybrid” expertise, machine studying, and AI. The leak additionally pointed to a possible 2028 begin-date for this subsequent console technology. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer responded to the leak and stated a minimum of a few of the data was old-fashioned.
“We’ve seen the dialog round previous emails and paperwork. It’s laborious to see our workforce’s work shared on this means as a result of a lot has modified and there is a lot to be enthusiastic about proper now, and sooner or later. We will share the true plans after we are prepared,” he wrote.
When this subsequent Xbox is introduced, what might or not it’s referred to as? We do not know but, however Microsoft had talked about how its console platform is called simply “Xbox,” and that issues like Sequence X|S denote the precise fashions beneath that umbrella. Whether or not or not Microsoft sticks with this for its subsequent console stays to be seen, nevertheless.
Subsequent Xbox potential specs
In February this yr, Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed Microsoft was making new Xbox {hardware} and went on to make a daring assertion about what it might ship. Bond stated this subsequent Xbox, no matter it seems to be, will supply the “largest technical leap you should have ever seen in a {hardware} technology.” That is a daring declare, for certain. Bond did not supply the rest, like how Microsoft would possibly obtain this, nor did she present any timetable for the console’s launch.
Additionally this yr, Bond stated the following Xbox will give attention to “energy and efficiency” to create the “largest leap ever,” however once more, Bond did not go any additional than these lofty claims.
Subsequent Xbox backwards compatibility
Bond has additionally mentioned how Xbox is guaranteeing backward compatibility can be part of its subsequent-gen {hardware}.
“It is also in regards to the capability to have the ability to play all the video games. I imply, now we have individuals who’ve been enjoying on Xbox for many years and invested hundreds and hundreds of {dollars} and hours with us. And [we want to enable them] to take all these video games with them into the {hardware} of the long run.”
Bond went on to clarify that when she turned president of Xbox in 2023, one of many first issues she did was create a workforce devoted to backward compatibility. She then went on to say that the Xbox workforce is dedicated to the thought of with the ability to play their video games wherever they’re.
“So our lengthy-time period dedication to cross-play is a part of that and our dedication to cross-development and cloud saves. So you possibly can decide up on one gadget and you may play on one other is part of that.”
Subsequent Xbox information
Those self same leaked paperwork revealed a trove of insights into what Microsoft could also be cooking up for the long run, however once more, some or all of this data might be old-fashioned. The paperwork confirmed that Microsoft was contemplating switching to an ARM64 CPU, just like the Nintendo Change makes use of. The leak additionally revealed that Microsoft is focusing on DirectX ray tracing for its subsequent-gen consoles, in addition to machine-studying-powered graphical enhancement.
Microsoft appears to be placing loads of give attention to AI and machine studying for its subsequent technology, touting its use for “optimization and acceleration of recreation efficiency, operations, and improvement for gamers and creators.” Microsoft stated AI and machine studying might assist with issues like matchmaking and participant-discovery, whereas AI is also used for recreation-testing and to optimize monetization methods.
Additionally listed within the leak as a “key innovation” coming with the following technology of consoles from Xbox is an “immersive recreation and app platform” that may enable anybody to develop their very own games–possibly much like Roblox’s improvement platform. This appears to play into what Xbox govt Sarah Bond stated just lately in regards to the potential for AI to additional allow gamers additionally turning into recreation builders throughout the Xbox ecosystem.
Microsoft stated within the leaked paperwork that its intention was to develop a “subsequent-technology hybrid recreation platform” that faucets into the “mixed energy” of native {hardware} and the cloud. The top consequence? Microsoft believes this might end in “deeper immersion and fully new courses of recreation experiences.”
Past Xbox
Whereas Microsoft is engaged on new {hardware}, it is only one piece of the puzzle for Microsoft because it seems to be to the long run and seeks out methods to seek out extra Xbox clients. Not too long ago, Xbox cloud gaming got here to Amazon’s Hearth Stick gadgets, and Microsoft launched an advert marketing campaign telling individuals they don’t need to buy an Xbox. Certainly, Microsoft has been saying for years that it kinda would not care in case you purchase an Xbox. Due to cloud streaming, the cellphone in your pocket or the TV in your front room is an Xbox gadget.
Xbox CFO Tim Stuart stated in the course of the Wells Fargo TMT Summit that the objective is to make first-get together video games and Sport Go out there on “each display that may play video games,” and this consists of rival consoles.
“It is a bit of a change of technique. Not saying something broadly right here, however our mission is to deliver our first-get together experiences [and] our subscription providers to each display that may play video games,” Stuart stated. “Meaning sensible TVs, which means cellular gadgets, which means what we’d have considered rivals prior to now like PlayStation and Nintendo.”
Along with streaming, Microsoft has mentioned plans to launch its personal cellular recreation retailer. Not too long ago, a landing page on Xbox.com for the mobile store appeared, telling individuals it’s “coming quickly.” This cellular retailer for Xbox video games might launch in 2024, and on condition that Microsoft owns juggernauts like Sweet Crush and Name of Obligation, this might find yourself being an enormous deal, although time will inform if that involves fruition.