Xbox Announces Next Generation Console: The Largest Technical Leap in a Hardware Generation

Microsoft’s gaming arm, Xbox, has announced that it is working on a next-generation console, promising the largest technical leap in a hardware generation. This news comes after leaked documents revealed that Microsoft was planning to release a next-generation Xbox console in 2028. However, the hardware tease could also mean something entirely new and not a mid-gen refresh of its ninth generation of gaming consoles.

During the latest episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Xbox President Sarah Bond addressed the role hardware plays in Xbox’s future. Bond confirmed that Xbox hardware would remain the flagship experience for players despite the company’s plans to go multi-platform moving forward. She teased that Xbox has “some exciting stuff coming out in hardware” that the company plans to share this holiday. More intriguingly, Bond hinted at a roadmap focused on next-generation hardware.

“And what we’re focused on there is delivering the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation, which makes it better for players and better for creators and the visions they’re building,” Bond explained in the recent episode of the Official Xbox Podcast.

Although Bond did not specify what this hardware news would entail, leaked documents published last year revealed that Microsoft is planning to launch hardware refreshes for both the Xbox Series X and S this year. The mid-gen upgrade Xbox Series X, codenamed Brooklin, is supposedly more compact than the original model and lacks a disc drive with 2TB of internal storage and 16GB of RAM. In contrast, the updated Series S, codenamed Ellewood, will include 10GB of RAM. However, pricing for these rumored consoles will remain the same.

However, the announcement of a next-generation Xbox console is the first time Microsoft has publicly announced that it is working on a new generation system since the court document leaks were published last year. According to one leaked document, Microsoft planned to release a next-generation Xbox console in 2028.

The hardware tease could also mean something entirely new and not a mid-gen refresh of its ninth generation of gaming consoles. Microsoft has clarified that it wants its games to be experienced across various devices, such as streaming sticks. Yet, the court document leaks also revealed that Xbox was exploring concepts for a few different devices, from a one-hand controller and, most interestingly, a handheld device. However, it’s not entirely clear whether it is a device focused more on cloud gaming akin to the Logitech G Cloud or something more of a handheld gaming PC like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally.

Microsoft’s Xbox division has been on a roll lately, with the successful launch of the Xbox Series X and S, the acquisition of Bethesda Softworks, and the continued growth of Xbox Game Pass. The next-generation console could be a significant step forward for the company, further solidifying its position in the gaming industry.

In conclusion, Xbox’s announcement of a next-generation console is an exciting development for the gaming industry. With the largest technical leap in a hardware generation, the new console promises to deliver a better experience for players and creators. Whether it is a mid-gen refresh or something entirely new, the next-generation Xbox console is sure to be a game-changer.

Stay tuned for more updates on the next-generation Xbox console and other gaming news. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

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