Xbox’s Controversial Rumored Console Plans Might Finally Be Changing For The Better

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Honestly, I’m totally lost when it comes to Xbox right now, and it feels like they are too. With all the changes in who’s running things, sales constantly going down, and a strategy that seems to change every week, it’s like they’re heading down the same path as Sega – potentially giving up on making consoles altogether. That feeling really hit home with how badly Sarah Bond handled the “This is an Xbox” campaign. It just feels like they’re losing what made Xbox great in the first place, and pushing the brand further and further away from its roots.

To make matters worse, rumors started circulating about a new Xbox that would be more like a PC. According to Xbox head Sarah Bond, it would be a “very premium and high-end” device. Given the high cost of the Xbox ROG Ally X, many people assumed this next Xbox would also be very expensive and aimed at PC gamers rather than traditional Xbox fans. This idea was widely criticized and considered a risky move. However, with new leadership in place, it seems Bond’s vision for a costly, PC-like console may no longer be the plan.

The “This Is An Xbox” Strategy May Have Failed

I won’t say I predicted this, Xbox, but it’s been clear for a while that things weren’t going well. After the poor reception of the Xbox One, and not enough users building up large digital game collections to justify buying the Xbox Series X/S, the recent strategy of turning everything into just ‘Xbox’ – instead of a dedicated gaming device – appears to have failed.

As a gamer, the recent marketing strategy hasn’t made much sense or offered a compelling reason to pay attention. While it’s good to see some Xbox games available on PlayStation, Xbox didn’t fully commit to offering more games on other platforms. Some titles launched on PS5 immediately, while others didn’t, and Nintendo Switch owners were completely left out. This inconsistent approach didn’t convince me – or likely many others – that Xbox was becoming a platform-agnostic brand. In fact, it seems to have hurt Xbox hardware sales, with Microsoft reporting a 32% decline in hardware revenue in its latest financial report.

A recent report from The Verge indicates that the marketing strategy led by Sarah Bond and directed by Phil Spencer didn’t sit well even within Xbox itself, reportedly upsetting many employees. The report states that the shift away from traditional consoles hasn’t been successful, and many employees are happy to see Bond leave Microsoft, as she reportedly demanded unwavering support for her vision. The focus on cloud gaming, according to the report, prioritized future customers at the expense of those who currently play on consoles.

This report might not tell the whole story, so it’s important to view it with some skepticism. Xbox hasn’t been providing many updates, even though its leaders are frequently interviewed, leaving us with little real information about what’s currently happening. But if even part of this report is accurate, combined with the struggles of the Xbox Series consoles, Xbox may need to change its approach. This could mean the next generation of consoles will be quite different from what was originally planned.

The Next Xbox Has To Cater To Xbox Players

Moving forward, Xbox should focus on creating a compelling lineup of games that are only available on their platform. This will help keep current players engaged and prevent them from switching to PlayStation, while also building a strong library of titles that can attract new players to the Xbox ecosystem, especially if the next console is reasonably priced. This approach would address the shortcomings of both the current and previous Xbox generations, acknowledging past mistakes – something Phil Spencer himself has openly admitted to.

A high-priced console like a PC won’t likely succeed, because even great Xbox games probably won’t convince people to switch systems if it costs a lot. Luckily, reports of delays for the next PlayStation and Xbox could give Xbox a chance to rethink its plans and create a console that appeals to both loyal fans and new players. This seems even more probable now that Xbox leader Matt Booty has stated that Xbox is focused on developing games in-house, rather than just publishing games made by others.

Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, has stated she wants to focus on the Xbox community, suggesting a shift away from the previous direction set by Sarah Bond and Phil Spencer. Many are hoping this new leadership will revitalize Xbox. A key question now is the future of the next Xbox console. If the company opts for a more affordable console to attract more players, the previously planned, high-powered console—intended to outperform the PS6—may no longer be feasible.

I truly hope Xbox learns from past mistakes and refocuses on what originally made it so popular. Releasing a more affordable console would attract new gamers, and using their talented development teams to create compelling exclusive games would give people a real reason to choose Xbox. This would help the brand move beyond the difficulties and disappointments of the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S generations, and hopefully prevent any lasting damage to its reputation.

What do you predict for the future of Xbox consoles? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-27 02:10