Key Takeaways
1. Xbox President Sarah Bond describes the upcoming hardware as “very premium” and “very high-end,” but its exact nature remains uncertain.
2. Phil Spencer clarified that the ROG Xbox Ally is an “Asus product,” and the next Xbox console will be a first-party Microsoft product.
3. Spencer envisions a unified Xbox ecosystem connecting console, PC, and cloud, without unique games to attract customers.
4. There are rumors of a collaboration between Microsoft and AMD on a gaming system using the Magnus APU, potentially resembling a gaming PC.
5. Spencer reassured that Microsoft is not withdrawing from hardware, but a PC-like Xbox with no exclusive titles could challenge traditional console definitions.
Xbox President Sarah Bond has recently referred to the upcoming hardware as “very premium” and “very high-end.” However, there remains some uncertainty about whether this system will be similar to the Xbox Series X|S or if it might take the shape of an OEM device. In an interview with Famitsu, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, clarified the differences between the forthcoming Xbox console and the ROG Xbox Ally handheld device.
Spencer’s Insights at the Tokyo Game Show
During the Tokyo Game Show, Spencer talked about the initiatives to boost Xbox’s visibility in Japan. According to social media reports from Genki, the topic of the next generation of hardware was also discussed. Spencer made it clear that the ROG Xbox Ally is an “Asus product.” He emphasized, “I think the hardware that we, Microsoft, announce as a first-party company will be the next console.” However, he did not provide a specific timeline for when the system will be released.
The Future of Xbox
Despite differences from the gaming handheld, Spencer envisions the next-gen Xbox console taking a similar path. He mentioned that the “Xbox software platform will evolve, connecting console, PC, and cloud into one ecosystem.” The ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are powered by Windows 11, allowing them to work with Game Pass and platforms like Steam. On the flip side, there won’t be unique games to lure customers into buying the console over its competitors.
There are whispers that Microsoft and AMD are collaborating on a gaming system that utilizes the Magnus APU. However, insiders like Moore’s Law is Dead report that AMD engineers are carrying most of the weight in this endeavor. Critics speculate that the new Xbox console might resemble a gaming PC, merely dressed in Xbox branding. It could also be significantly pricier than both the Series X and the upcoming PS6.
Reassurances from Spencer
Spencer made efforts to calm concerns that Microsoft might be withdrawing from the hardware sector. Yet, if the next Xbox designed by AMD resembles a Windows PC and lacks exclusive titles, it could challenge the traditional understanding of what a first-party system is.
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