“I suppose it could happen, but I don’t anticipate that occurring.”
- by Ben Kerry
Following Microsoft’s launch of its new ‘This is an Xbox’ advertising campaign earlier this month, there has been a lot of speculation about what this indicates for the future of Xbox hardware – however, a well-known industry analyst has downplayed the idea that Microsoft will abandon consoles anytime soon.
Circana’s Mat Piscatella — who regularly provides updates on gaming statistics in the US — recently participated in an online Q&A about the industry at large. When asked about the possibility of Microsoft leaving the ‘dedicated hardware market’, here’s what he had to say:
“When you examine Microsoft’s earnings, Xbox as a whole appears to be performing quite well, despite the recognized challenges within the dedicated hardware sector. Whether something is successful or not largely depends on the internal objectives. There’s likely room for discussion here, as those objectives may have shifted recently considering some of the surrounding reports.
Could Microsoft exit the hardware market? I mean, I suppose they could, but I don’t envision that happening. What I could predict as more plausible is the introduction of an Xbox front end for portable PC devices similar to the Steam Deck, and pursuing the OEM route so third-party manufacturers can create Xbox-style devices alongside what Microsoft produces. Similar to Windows PCs and Surface devices. Will it work? Who knows.”
This is merely a perspective — though an informed one — but truly, only Microsoft knows the forthcoming plans for its Xbox hardware business. Clearly, the team wants to diversify and promote the brand as a platform, yet this doesn’t inherently suggest that consoles will vanish anytime soon.
Nevertheless, this presents an intriguing viewpoint, and we are definitely eager to learn about Microsoft’s next steps with all of this. It’s common knowledge that a high-end console and a handheld device are in development – yet what form they’ll take, and when exactly they’ll arrive, remains uncertain at this point.
Any thoughts on these insights from Mat? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below.
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Ben is a News Creator at Pure Xbox and a fan of action, racing, and straightforward shooting in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not gripping an Xbox controller as though his life depends on it, Ben enjoys listening to music that’s far too old for him, watching soccer on the small screen TV, and probably eating.