Next-Gen Xbox Will Be A PC In Disguise

The gaming landscape has experienced varying trends, with PlayStation sustaining strong hardware sales, including a record-breaking 9.5 million PS5 consoles sold over the previous holiday season. Xbox, on the other hand, has seen a steady fall in hardware sales, prompting questions about the console's future. Despite this, Microsoft remains committed to releasing new Xbox hardware.

Xbox head Phil Spencer stated that he is "not trying to move PS5 and PC players all over to Xbox anymore," noting that players are "all so invested in where our games are," and that all he wants to do now is "allow more people to play" Xbox games on other devices.

Microsoft has now formally approved the next Xbox console, despite persistent hardware sales reductions and an increasing emphasis on multi-platform strategy. According to reports, Microsoft's higher management has given full permission and funding to the next-gen Xbox, moving it beyond the early pitch phases.

Interestingly, the upcoming next-gen Xbox console, as per industry expert Jez Corden, would be a PC in disguise. The new console is likely to run the Xbox operating system but be tightly integrated with Windows so that it can run a large variety of games, including Xbox games, PC games, Steam games, and even PlayStation games on Steam. This has the potential to be a game changer in the console industry, blurring the distinction between PCs and dedicated consoles and providing a hybrid experience for gamers.

This strategy mimics Valve's efforts with the Steam Deck, which aims to combine the console and PC gaming experiences. By integrating traditional console gaming with PC capabilities, Microsoft might establish a distinct market position.

Microsoft's aim appears to be more aligned with Valve's than Sony's, with a focus on integrating the console and PC ecosystems rather than becoming a console-only business. Their plan is based on developing Game Pass and sustaining a loyal player base while tapping into the thriving PC gaming market.

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox is officially on the way, with financing secured and plans in the works. It is unclear whether this plan will be successful, but it represents a fundamental departure in the company's game philosophy.