That splash could include a dedicated handheld on top of a massive hardware upgrade. Oh, and it could happen sooner than most would think.
Information comes by way of Windows Central's Jez Corden, a reliable industry figure, who shared some interesting nuggets in an overall recap of Microsoft's interview with License Global magazine.
Steam Deck, You May Have Competition Coming
As part of that recap, Corden relayed the following:
Instead, it seems Xbox is full-steam ahead with its next set of console hardware, which we tentatively believe based on our sources to include at least both a traditional-style successor to the Xbox Series X, and Microsoft's first real foray into Xbox handheld gaming with its own take on the Steam Deck.
Xbox's 25th anniversary is set for November 15, 2026, meaning it won't be too long before those potential pieces of hardware can make their way into consumers' hands. Anniversary aside, that 2026 timeframe lines up with when we could see general console successors.
On the surface, a Steam Deck-like handheld makes a ton of sense. Both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally have greatly transformed how consumers play games, and with Xbox continuing to push its cloud gaming endeavors, a handheld makes a lot of sense. PlayStation also launched its own handheld in the form of the PlayStation Portal, though it is not as feature-rich as a Steam Deck is, which Microsoft is seemingly targeting.
As for a console successor, Xbox skipping the mid-gen refresh also makes sense, given the console's struggles against the current PS5. A refresh would seemingly exacerbate those struggles. Instead, it would appear that Xbox is gearing up for another run on the console market.
Only time will tell if these plans shake out, but it is certainly interesting to get a glimpse at what Microsoft may be planning. And who knows, maybe that 25th anniversary could bring more than just new hardware. New Halo anyone? Anything seems possible.
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Related Forum: Xbox Forum
Source: https://www.thegamer.com/xboxs-next-generation-will-reportedly-include-a-traditional-console-and-a-handheld-microsoft-gaming/
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