Key Takeaways
1. Microsoft is exploring partnerships with companies like Asus for the development of its next-generation Xbox console.
2. The focus has shifted from creating a handheld Xbox device to enhancing the software for the Xbox Ally X.
3. The next-gen Xbox may function like a PC with standard components, running custom Xbox software over Windows.
4. Industry expert Jez Cordon suggests the new Xbox will likely support backward compatibility for Xbox One, Xbox Series, and some Xbox 360 games.
5. Microsoft is committed to various gaming devices, including a conventional console and handheld options, with the next Xbox release expected in two or more years.
While it’s evident that Microsoft is busy developing its next-generation Xbox console, recent updates have sparked intriguing discussions about what this console will actually be like.
Speculations on Development
Firstly, the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally/Ally X has led to theories that Microsoft might consider having other companies, like Asus, assist in the creation of this new console. This idea isn’t too far-fetched since Microsoft has shifted more towards being a game developer and publisher rather than just a console manufacturer, similar to how Sony operates.
Changes in Direction
Moreover, before the ROG Ally X was revealed, various reports suggested that Microsoft was working on its own handheld Xbox device. We now understand that Microsoft has shifted gears, deciding to concentrate on the software that powers the Xbox Ally X instead. This aligns with the idea that the next-gen Xbox could essentially function as a “PC” composed of standard components, running custom Xbox software layered over Windows.
If this is the case, it brings up significant worries about whether the new Xbox will support backward compatibility for games from the Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series.
Insights from Industry Experts
Jez Cordon from Windows Central, known to be a trustworthy source regarding Microsoft info, addressed these speculations in the latest episode of The Xbox Two Podcast on YouTube (linked below). He asserts that the next Xbox console is “100% or 99.999%” likely to allow you to play your games from Xbox One, Xbox Series, and Xbox 360.
Jez elaborates that the “next Xbox has the silicon for running Xbox One and Series X and 360 games natively. At least, what’s in the backward compatibility program.” This indicates that gamers will be able to access their Xbox One and Xbox Series S | X library on the forthcoming Xbox, while titles from the Xbox 360 will need to be part of the backward compatibility initiative.
Regardless of how everything unfolds, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding Xbox. With the potential release of a conventional console, an Xbox-branded PC, and various handheld devices, Microsoft seems to be fully committed to its “This is an Xbox” approach. Unfortunately, no confirmations can be made at this point, as the next Xbox is probably still two or more years away.
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