Microsoft has shared a teaser hinting at its upcoming next-gen Xbox console, with production reportedly ramping up, but no specific details or release window have been confirmed, though 2027 is widely speculated. The focus has been on promoting the new ROG Xbox Ally handheld platform, with the new console still under wraps.
Xbox executive Sarah Bond's internal email emphasizes the company's commitment to delivering the biggest technological leap ever with its next-generation console, potentially launching ahead of Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro. Microsoft is focusing on AI and game preservation, with a new team dedicated to ensuring backward compatibility and integrating Activision Blizzard games into its services. The company is also gearing up for the launch of new first-party titles, with more announcements expected at the Xbox Showcase in June.
Microsoft's Sarah Bond teases the upcoming next-generation Xbox as the "largest technical leap" yet, hinting at potential advancements for handheld devices. The company plans to reveal more about the console and its future roadmap during the holiday season, with expectations of significant hardware improvements benefiting both gamers and creators. Rumors also point to a discless Xbox Series X edition and a new controller.
During the Xbox Business Update, Xbox's president Sarah Bond confirmed that the company is planning its next console, promising it to be the "largest technical leap" in gaming hardware. She also teased news on new Xbox devices this year, hinting at a mid-generation Xbox Series X refresh and a new controller with haptics. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass is expected to receive high-profile games in 2024, including Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Avowed, with a possibility of seeing a lot of Activision Blizzard games on the service soon.
Activision executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick, were briefed on a next-generation Nintendo Switch in December 2022, with the console described as having performance closer to that of the PS4 and Xbox One. Internal emails from the FTC v. Microsoft case revealed discussions about securing early access to development hardware prototypes. Nintendo has been preparing key publishers for the next-generation Switch, which is rumored to be released in 2024 and feature an LCD screen and continued support for physical game cartridges. Trusted developers reportedly got an early look at the Nintendo Switch 2 during Gamescom, including tech demos showcasing improved versions of games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Nintendo plans to smoothly transition players from the Switch to its next console using Nintendo Accounts, according to company president Shuntaro Furukawa. The move will be similar to Sony and Microsoft's use of PlayStation Network and Xbox Live accounts across multiple generations of hardware. Nintendo Accounts were only introduced with the Switch, and the transition from the previous Nintendo Network ID was considered far from smooth. Nintendo currently has over 290 million Nintendo Accounts in use across console and mobile, providing a strong foundation for its next generation infrastructure.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed that Elder Scrolls 6 is still 5+ years away and it's hard to understand what platforms it will be on. The game will not release until at least 2028, which is around the same time the PlayStation 6 and presumably next-generation Xbox will launch. Elder Scrolls 6 was first announced in June 2018 and will have been in development for over a decade on release since its initial announcement.