Xbox architect Jason Ronald teases big things for 2026 — “we want to celebrate the great legacy of Xbox next year”

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In a new video, Tom Gerken from BBC provides a detailed overview of the Xbox’s Ally X handheld gaming device, revisiting information many are already familiar with.

This video shows the handheld gaming device being tested with various PC games. It includes both gameplay footage and overall impressions, and demonstrates how well it works with Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming and a variety of Windows games when playing on the go.

In a brief appearance, Jason Ronald, VP of Xbox Gaming Devices and Ecosystem, also shared some exciting hints about what Xbox has planned for next year, as the company gets ready to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Jason’s comments and hints at Xbox’s future

Jason laments how now felt like the right time for Xbox to enter the handheld territory, stating:

As an analyst, I’m constantly exploring the evolving landscape of gaming and how we can innovate to deliver fresh and engaging experiences for players. It’s all about anticipating what’s next and finding new avenues for people to enjoy games.

Jason Ronald

He believes we’ve reached a turning point where how people play games, what’s happening in the gaming industry, and available technology all come together, finally making a handheld Xbox a realistic possibility for gamers.

The most engaging part of the conversation came when Gerken directly asked Jason about expanding backwards compatibility. He playfully said, “I’d really regret not asking this: are you planning to add more original Xbox games to Game Pass in the future?”

Jason’s reply was somewhat unclear, but he said just enough to offer hope to me and others.

We’re not ready to share details yet, but 2026 will mark Xbox’s 25th anniversary. We’re planning a big celebration to honor Xbox’s history and look ahead to its future.

Jason Ronald

He wouldn’t directly answer the question, but hinted that exciting announcements are coming next year, saying, “Stay tuned!”

It’s not a huge amount, but it gives me hope that Xbox will expand support for older games. With Xbox turning 25 soon, we might hear news about this relatively quickly. Plus, now that Xbox owns so many Activision games, adding those to the list of compatible titles would be a significant improvement if it happens.

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2025-12-09 04:09