By Microsoft appears to have grand ambitions for next-gen
- by Ben Kerry
Discourse around Microsoft’s upcoming console has been escalating lately, with various executives — including Xbox leader Sarah Bond — coming forward to discuss their future initiatives. However, Windows Central has released a massive report providing us with new insights and vital context about what lies ahead for the next generation of Xbox.
Let’s examine the significant revelations here – the report indicates that the forthcoming Xbox will effectively be a PC featuring the Xbox Full Screen Experience; akin to the ROG Xbox Ally but in the form of a home console. It seems that it will “feel like a conventional Xbox console right out of the box,” and users will have the choice to remain within an ‘Xbox ecosystem’ that will closely resemble Series X and S. Moreover, there will be an option to explore and utilize other storefronts and Windows functionalities, should you desire.
“Indeed, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, equipped with its Xbox Full Screen Experience, essentially represent the design of the next Xbox. […] The distinction between the Xbox console and a traditional Windows PC will be that it will feel like a conventional Xbox console right from the start. The onboarding process will be similar to what users experience today on console, and if you prefer, you can stay entirely within the Xbox ecosystem, never engaging with Windows itself. Switching to Windows will be for those wanting to access games traditionally unavailable on Xbox, including PlayStation titles on Steam, mouse and keyboard-centric games like League of Legends, or even retro games from GOG and similar platforms.”
Journalist Jez Corden subsequently verifies that the new platform will feature complete backwards compatibility with existing Xbox games; all titles from the Original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and current-gen games that function on Series X|S will operate “natively” on Microsoft’s next-gen device. Additionally, current-gen games are expected to be enhanced on the new hardware through “AI-driven technologies like Auto Super Resolution and next-gen frame generation.”
Another notable piece of information here — as you’ve likely spotted in the headline — is that Microsoft is seemingly considering eliminating any form of paid online play for this upcoming Xbox console. Corden mentions, “I’m informed that the current strategy is for the next Xbox specifically to have no paywall for multiplayer,” whereas users on existing Xbox generations (Xbox One, Series X|S, etc.) will likely need to keep paying to access online play for paid titles.
As is customary, this information should be regarded with a healthy dose of skepticism – it’s merely a report at this stage, and plans may undoubtedly evolve as we approach a rumored 2027 launch. Nonetheless, much of this seems quite rational, and Microsoft itself has almost confirmed that the next Xbox will resemble Asus’s premium ROG Ally products; with their significantly broader game compatibility. The full report is certainly worth reviewing in any case, and we’ll link to some recent & related next-gen Xbox articles below as well.
Join the discussion in the comments section below, folks!
[source windowscentral.com]
Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox and enjoys action, racing, and straightforward shooting in every Xbox game he can play. When he isn’t gripping an Xbox controller as though his life depends on it, Ben occupies his time listening to music that is far too classic for his age, watching football on television, and likely dining somewhere.