As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the proposed vision for Xbox’s future is nothing short of intriguing. Coming from someone who has navigated the labyrinth of operating systems and hardware ecosystems, the idea of a more Windows-like Xbox seems like a promising step forward.
What can we expect from the next generation of Xbox? There might be more clues available than some people may fully comprehend.
Lately, a gaming expert suggested that the premium console market might not accommodate both PlayStation and Xbox in the next generation, implying potentially harmful consequences for Xbox. However, this idea seems illogical for several compelling reasons, which we’ll explore primarily focusing on the most apparent ones at present.
By 2025, the specific hardware we use for gaming might not hold as much significance. I’ve shared before that Xbox may not focus on console exclusives in the future, and this might not be crucial. In fact, PlayStation is progressively making its games accessible through Steam, while Valve is planning to allow manufacturers to create systems based on their OS, which will likely house a multitude of PlayStation games. In such a scenario, the notion of a “console exclusive” game could appear rather antiquated.
From a tech enthusiast’s viewpoint, it seems that the future of gaming, in essence, is all about content and software. The specific hardware where this content resides is becoming less significant, with an increasing number of users opting for versatile platforms like Steam or cloud-based services to curate their gaming collections. These platform-agnostic solutions are transforming the gaming landscape.
Is it possible that instead of Xbox discontinuing its hardware entirely for the next generation, we might see an increase in Xbox-branded devices? This could mean that while Microsoft may still produce some of these devices, there might also be more being manufactured by other companies under the Xbox brand.
Xbox put a Windows OEM vet in charge of hardware back in 2023
With Microsoft broadening its gaming reach, it has become necessary to divide responsibilities among different fields. Currently, Sarah Bond, the President of Xbox, oversees the strategic direction of Xbox hardware at a top level. All hardware and platform teams report directly to her, as she is tasked with implementing Microsoft’s “Xbox anywhere” strategy.
As an analyst, I’d like to highlight that while many may know Jason Ronald as the VP of Next Gen, it’s essential to acknowledge another key figure in the Xbox landscape – a woman who steers the Xbox’s hardware ecosystem from behind the scenes. Although her name is less frequently discussed within the community, she plays an instrumental role in shaping the future of our Xbox hardware experience.
Approximately two years ago, Roanne Sones joined the team at Xbox. With a long history of 22 years at Microsoft, Roanne held the position of Microsoft’s Windows OEM lead, overseeing collaborations between Microsoft and computer manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, and more. I encountered Roanne Sones at an event in LA about two years ago, where the early foundations for Xbox’s multi-device future were being laid down. In the media section of the event, Microsoft had showcased all the devices they considered part of the Xbox ecosystem—a range that extends well beyond the Xbox Series X|S consoles typically thought of as the “sole” Xbox by traditionalists.
On the display were gadgets such as the ASUS ROG Ally, a novel PC gaming handheld, along with the Xbox Series X and S, which were already well-established. We also showcased items like the Razer Kishi V2 Pro mobile controller grip, and the Logitech G Cloud Android streaming handheld. This exhibition took place prior to Microsoft’s collaboration with Samsung for cloud gaming on TVs or Amazon for cloud gaming on Fire Sticks. Even then, it offered a powerful preview of what Roanne’s tenure at Xbox might involve.
In a clear move tailored for shaping Xbox’s future, Sones was specifically recruited. This future appears to be veering towards resembling Valve and Steam rather than PlayStation and Nintendo. Next month at CES 2025, Valve will unveil the first computers not made by Valve, but in partnership with Lenovo – Steam PCs. Meanwhile, Jason Ronald from Xbox will also be present, likely to discuss Microsoft’s dedication to enhancing Windows for portable gaming devices.
Currently, Windows boasts a significant compatibility edge over Steam OS and alternatives like Bazzite, but these alternatives excel in terms of performance and usability. Steam OS is particularly user-friendly on gaming handhelds, and when combined with Valve’s Proton emulation layer, it poses a serious challenge to Windows, potentially even threatening its existence as not every consumer finds it the most optimized gaming platform.
However, how does this impact the current Xbox console user? And why is it relevant to upcoming generation gaming systems? Let’s delve deeper.
The Windowsification of Xbox solves a ton of issues
Although there are slight differences, Xbox and PlayStation platforms are very similar nowadays, both utilizing x86 AMD processors that differ almost randomly. As expenses increase and the number of new gaming users remains stagnant, the capacity to expand profits and meet shareholders’ expectations narrows. To address this issue, publishers often include microtransactions, preorder bonuses, premium early access, and other tactics in their games to extract more money from existing customers. A less damaging option for developers might be to make porting games between systems even easier.
The support within the Xbox environment is currently stronger than ever, but it could potentially grow even more if it were more integrated with Windows PC, which continues to be a much larger platform. Microsoft is actively striving for this integration, and it’s been suggested that the development platform for the next-generation Xbox ecosystem will be more akin to Windows than ever before. In theory, developers would find it easier than ever to distribute their games across the Microsoft Store on both PCs and the next-generation Xbox consoles.
Fundamentally, I anticipate that the next generation of Xbox consoles will be more closely aligned with PCs than ever before. This is suggested by Xbox CEO Phil Spencer’s comments about his intention to introduce third-party stores such as Epic and GOG on Xbox consoles. Such a move would be challenging if the console itself doesn’t natively support running Windows game packages.
Additionally, I anticipate and wish for the next Xbox to have a stronger resemblance to Windows than before. This would mean that Xbox Play Anywhere should ideally be a compulsory feature for publishers. If Microsoft’s vision of “everything is an Xbox” is correct, then I expect seamless gameplay across this Xbox console, laptop PC, cloud devices, and even a Samsung Smart Fridge. Xbox Play Anywhere, in the broader context of the ecosystem Microsoft is building, is currently underappreciated, particularly in games that have yet to join Xbox Game Pass. However, more developers are beginning to adopt this feature without requiring a Game Pass deal, as seen with titles like Death Stranding, Metaphor, and Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters.
In addition, I strongly advocate that for future gaming systems, Microsoft should eliminate the outdated paywall for premium multiplayer games. It would be illogical if I can operate the Epic Store on my Xbox, only to be charged for multiplayer access. Eliminating the paywall solely for next-gen systems might also motivate more current Xbox users to upgrade at a faster rate than between the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S generations. Essentially, if this new Xbox device is intended to function like a PC, it should offer the same benefits to both consumers and developers.
In light of Roanne Sones’ knowledge, it seems reasonable to infer that an Xbox ecosystem similar to Windows might adopt a licensing approach. Companies such as Lenovo, ASUS, and others constructing Steam OS gaming machines could potentially create their own Xbox OS devices. This would help Microsoft address the challenge of distributing hardware globally, as they have traditionally struggled with marketing and retail partnerships outside the U.S.
Execution is absolutely key, and nowhere near guaranteed
Indeed, it’s important to note that this scenario is not set in stone. It’s an appealing concept, addressing numerous challenges, particularly for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who excel in hardware production outside of the Anglo-centric regions such as the United States and UK. Microsoft would market these consoles appropriately.
While using Windows as the main operating system might bring some advantages, it could also introduce complications. Windows, despite its popularity, is not always as dependable or user-friendly as the streamlined Xbox OS tailored specifically for gaming. Transforming Windows to function optimally on gaming handhelds and TV gamepads would require extensive modifications. Basic tasks like opening text boxes or closing UAC windows with a controller are currently not feasible on Windows, and dealing with driver and peripheral software management contradicts the essence of console gaming—simplicity and ease. The prospect of encountering the infamous “blue screen of death” on an Xbox is undesirable. Furthermore, there’s the issue of backward compatibility: games designed for the Xbox Series X|S are not designed (or even licensed) to run on Windows. Building a system that doesn’t natively support the existing library could be reckless, especially considering that only a tiny fraction of the library is compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere for PC.
There’s a chance these ideas might be completely dismissed by consumers, especially if they’re executed poorly. The main concern among Xbox enthusiasts is that we could lose access to our digital games if Microsoft can’t maintain the current hardware environment. It doesn’t boost trust when users are encouraged to interact with Xbox on devices outside of the Xbox ecosystem, at least for now.
Should Microsoft successfully carry out their vision, it might significantly transform the gaming industry, securing the long-term hardware destiny of Xbox.
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2024-12-21 16:39