Microsoft’s vision for the future of Xbox goes beyond its own hardware as it looks to expand into streaming and mobile, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft will abandon Xbox hardware. The company has reiterated that it aims to offer different ways for people to become Xbox customers, including through the Xbox console.
But what comes next for Xbox Series In this article, we’ll summarize everything we know so far about the next Xbox console.
We will update this post as new details become available, so keep checking back.
Next Xbox release date and price predictions
The next Xbox hasn’t been announced yet, so it’s too early to talk about price or release date. A major leak from the Microsoft v. FTC case reveals some of Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox plans, including a focus on “cloud hybrid” technology, machine learning, and AI. The leak also points to a possible 2028 launch date for this next-gen console. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer responded to the leak, saying that at least some of the information is outdated.
“We’ve seen conversations over old emails and documents. It’s hard to see our team’s work shared like this. So much has changed and now… “There’s a lot to look forward to in the future. We’ll make real plans when we’re ready,” he wrote.
When this next Xbox is announced, what will it be called? We don’t know yet, but Microsoft has announced that its console platform will be known simply as “Xbox,” and that Series He said he was showing a model. However, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will stick to this for its next game console.
Potential specs for the next Xbox
In February of this year, Xbox president Sarah Bond confirmed that Microsoft was developing new Xbox hardware and made a bold statement about what it could offer. Bond said the next Xbox, whatever it is, will bring “the biggest technological leap we’ve ever seen in a hardware generation.” Indeed, that’s a bold claim. Bond didn’t say anything else about how Microsoft would accomplish this, nor did he give a timeline for the console’s release.
Bond also said earlier this year that the next Xbox would focus on “power and performance” to create the “biggest leap forward in history,” but Bond didn’t go beyond that lofty claim.
Backwards compatibility for next Xbox
Bond also explained how Xbox is ensuring backwards compatibility to be part of the next generation of hardware.
“The ability to play all the games is also important. So we have people who have been playing on Xbox for decades and have invested thousands of dollars and thousands of hours with us. And (we’re able to) ) to bring all those games to future hardware.”
Bond went on to explain that when he became president of Xbox in 2023, one of the first things he did was create a team dedicated to backward compatibility. Additionally, she said the Xbox team is working on the idea of being able to play games wherever you are.
“So part of that is our long-term commitment to cross-play, and part of that is our commitment to cross-progression and cloud saves, which means you can play on one device and play on another. Part of that is being able to do things.”
Handheld?
According to recent reports, the next Xbox could be paired with new handheld Xbox devices, opening up a lot of interesting possibilities for what’s to come.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft is taking a two-pronged approach to the Xbox hardware market, similar to what it did with the Series X and S. Plans reportedly include a traditional-style successor to the Series X, as well as a handheld gaming console. Options similar to those in Steam Deck.
It’s unclear at this point what this approach will ultimately look like, but if handhelds are like Steam Decks, players will be able to play digital purchases and move back and forth between handhelds and consoles. It may be possible. There probably won’t be a separate ecosystem like 3DS and Wii U, or Vita and PS3. It’s also possible that both console and handheld components could work together, making it more Switch-like.
Next Xbox News
These same leaked documents revealed a ton of insight into what Microsoft has in store for the future, but again, some or all of this information may be outdated. There is. The document indicated that Microsoft is considering switching to ARM64 CPUs like those used in the Nintendo Switch. The leak also reveals that Microsoft is targeting DirectX ray tracing and machine learning graphics enhancements for next-generation consoles.
Microsoft appears to be focused on next-generation AI and machine learning, touting its use to “optimize and accelerate game performance, interaction, and development for players and creators.” Microsoft said that while AI and machine learning could help with things like matchmaking and player discovery, AI could also be used to test games and optimize monetization strategies.
Also listed in the leak as a “key innovation” coming with Xbox’s next-gen console is an “immersive game and app platform” that will allow anyone to develop their own games. Probably similar to Roblox’s development platform. This seems to be related to what Xbox executive Sarah Bond recently said about the potential for AI to allow players to also become game developers within the Xbox ecosystem.
In a leaked document, Microsoft said its aim is to develop a “next generation hybrid gaming platform” that leverages the “total power” of local hardware and the cloud. The final result? Microsoft believes this could lead to “deeper immersion and a whole new class of gaming experiences.”
Beyond Xbox
Microsoft is working on new hardware, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle as it looks to the future and looks for ways to find more Xbox customers. Xbox cloud gaming recently came to Amazon’s Fire Stick devices, and Microsoft launched an ad campaign telling people they don’t need to buy an Xbox. In fact, Microsoft has been saying for years that it doesn’t care if you buy an Xbox. Thanks to cloud streaming, the phone in your pocket or the TV in your living room can become your Xbox device.
Xbox CFO Tim Stewart said at the Wells Fargo TMT Summit that the goal is to make first-party games and Game Pass available on “every screen you can play games on,” including rival consoles. I said that it would be possible.
“This is a small change in strategy. We’re not announcing anything big here, but our mission is to bring a first-party experience (and) subscription service to every screen you can play games on. That’s true,” Stewart said. “That means smart TVs, which means mobile devices, and things that we used to think of as competitors, like PlayStation and Nintendo.”
In addition to streaming, Microsoft is also discussing plans to launch its own mobile game store. A mobile store landing page recently appeared on Xbox.com, telling people it was “coming soon.” This mobile store for Xbox games could launch in 2024, and considering Microsoft owns huge games like Candy Crush and Call of Duty, this could end up being a big deal It’s possible, but only time will tell if that happens.
