Talking Point: Is It Too Early To Release A New Xbox Console In 2027?

The short answer is no. It'll have been 7 years since XSX/XSS came out by 2027. That's plenty of time for a console generation. Even if by and large this has been a weak one for Sony/MS.

I think 7 years is a good size per gen. It only feels like a strange gen because unlike the 360 > One, the last gen barriers have all been practically torn down. I think 7 years per gen is solid and like I've said a thousand times before, I think this upcoming gen is going to be a head turner.

I think a lot of folks will be eating humble pie when MS gets up and reveals their next gen, 2027 handheld, and new controller (plus all the launch games that will no doubt come with). To me, 7 years is the sweet spot.

I think out of the big 3 Microsoft’s next generation home console is the most confusing to me.

Switch 2 and PS6 I get.
The only thing I can think of it keeps Xbox relevant if they release another home console and probably the most important it keeps GPU going and most subscriptions are on Xbox consoles with a very good attach rate.

If Xbox consoles only had a few million game pass subscriptions. Then I strongly believe there would be no next gen Xbox and they would go full publisher as it makes business sense.
They are only keeping Xbox consoles going because of game pass subscriptions attached rate.

So why I am I confused, just come to the UK the second biggest buying of Xbox consoles and game pass subscriptions to the USA.
It is so hard to buy a series x.
Game UK, none
Smyths toys none
Argos none
Microsoft really don’t make sense to me even if I really try to make sense of it. Sell a console sell a game pass subscription.
Then they don’t re-stock any consoles.

Then I think Microsoft are hoping that will be the last home console from Xbox and Sony and who knows Nintendo.

Then I think they believe it will go all streaming and it will good enough to do so.

The only console market left then is handheld which Nintendo are king of, but it looks like Xbox want to join that market.

2026 would indeed feel a little bit too early, but 2027 is absolutely fine. Same gap as One to Series, no issue at all there. Completely standard generation length. 2027 allows for implementation of Zen 6 and UDNA architectures, which will be a delicious upgrade from what we have now.

It's exactly the right time for new hardware to come out. Improved architecture will have ML components and ray tracing cores. But as is already hoped by many, it's the PC storefronts that will be the most attractive prospect for me.

That and removal of online paywalls would be unreal. Oh, and some better haptics, I'm no fan of the dualsense ergonomically, but hot dayyum those vibrations are good!

At this point it doesn't matter. We have enough games to play until we die. The videogame industry is a ***** show as it is. No matter what happens no one will be happy.

I just want an Xbox that will let me play all the digital games I've purchased from the Xbox 360 forward. How many titles have we bought that we either don't play or can't play?

Just get a PC and save your money by pirating like a there's no tomorrow.

In a world where MS currently considers the underpowered series S a required supported device, there is currently zero reason for them to release a new console by 2027.

Yes, they need to release one in 2026. If they want what I think their plan is, that’s the year they need to release it.

For Microsoft strategy, it makes the most sense

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yeeeeeeeeeeees.

Technically? Yes, it's about time by usual standards. But for most it doesn't feel like the Series/PS5 console gen has even started yet. And I think it's gonna be a hard sell for most to upgrade considering companies still see profit in making XBO/PS4 versions and there haven't been any must-have games. Even if there are, I'd see more Series & PS5 sales than whatever comes next. A few bells 'n whistles aside, they really feel like Microsoft and Sony's own Wii U's, just reversed - Wii U had good games but bad hardware, while PS5 & Series have good hardware but no games.

I think it is too early but I also think this has been a lackluster generation (I'd argue so was the xbone) but time marches on, So if they have the tech for it, I suppose they might as well as move forward. I'm going back to PC (waiting on TES6) so I will be an observer next gen.

I think that 2027 is perhaps stretching it a bit - after all the Series S is also part of this Generation and some games are not even 1080p or a 'stable' 30fps - often with 'Last' gen visual settings/options.

AC: Shadows for example is 30fps without RTGI and Hair Physics on Series S and to get '60fps' on a Series X, you have to give up RTGI, Hair Physics and settle for 1440p (at best) on Series X. Neither Console offers RT Reflections.

With the Series S as the 'base' console to which ALL Games must release on as well as Series X, a Console that's already had game release delays as Devs try to bring all features to the Series S, then I think that is indicative of the need to either Separate the Series S and X, or release newer hardware.

If games were 'comfortably' hitting 4k/60 on Series X, or even 1440/60 on Series S, then maybe it would be too soon. However, it seems that they are relying on upscaling methods (FSR, TAAU etc), Still 30fps - if you want the best lighting, resolution, shadow quality, draw distance, physics etc etc on Series X - let alone Series S which is looking more and more like the XB1 at the end of its 'life' - under-powered and 'low-res' (often 720p -900p) and lacking 'promised' features - like Ray Tracing/RTGI...

They are looking increasingly dated as technology advances that only highlights the aging Console capabilities. I think that Minecraft RT wouldn't run on Series S so that never released on Console - it just about ran on a Series X at 1080/30 so I bet the Series S stopped that from releasing on Console. Therefore, new 'hardware' would be welcome.

2026 would have been better, the new devices can't come soon enough.

I still don’t see it supporting steam.

Games on steam are £20-30 cheaper. Having steam on the system, actually makes GP not as valuable. (Currently you can say day1 saves you £70, but with steam that changes to £40-50).

It’s also far less revenue for MS. - are PC players going to migrate back to it? Probably not, if anything we are seeing more shift to PC.

The Pro has to some extent limited what would have been a much bigger performance gap.

Still going to have to support the S -will S users upgrade from a £200 console to what is probably going to be £600? (Bearing in mind around 50% are using the S).

Many many people will only upgrade to the X/S/5 once GTA releases. Are they then going to want another console so soon?

It’s going to be a very tricky juggling act. I can understand wanting to get the ‘jump’ on the next PS, so let’s watch this space.

Far too early to care or give it much thought in all honesty.

I would be more than happy to get a new console at the end of this year, given we can't get anything close to native 4K and 60fps like we were sold. I don't mind playing 30fps to get the higher quality but I shouldn't have to pay £700 to get it.

To be honest I don't know and I don't care I'm enjoying the now with my series x enjoying it being the premium way to play Xbox at this moment in time ✌️

Too early for a console, but just right for a handheld that can also play Steam.

I think it's hard to say.
I would say 2027 is fine. But it seems that the Series X isn't selling that good, which is bad for Microsoft.
And even if I'm fine by myself with the Series X as it is, because I love that system,
I totally understand that right now, the sales aren't growing much after the ***** news from the last year, as people loose trust in Microsoft.
A new system with a good strategy could turn things for Microsoft, it's a hard situation right now.

But I think, they should skip a pro model. We all are seeing how not great it turns out for Sony, as almost no one really wants a PS5 Pro.
So Microsoft should just bring a next Gen system at the right time.

The pandemic really crippled this generation overall between supply chain issues and scalpers, but that doesn’t stop innovation. I guess if it’s what Microsoft wants to do, but it doesn’t feel like Microsoft nor Sony truly launched the current gen until a year or so ago.

@themightyant the sad thing is, this Gen is pure luxury. No matter if you love AAA games, indie games or Remasters or Remakes. No Gen so far had such a huge selection of awesome games, but people are crying like never before.

Considering Sony released a Pro, I don’t think a new gen that’s fully backward compatible (and hopefully upgrades current gen games) is odd for Xbox. Just skip the Pro/MidGen refresh and go for a fully new one ahead of time. Especially considering I think this generation kinda started a year or so early given the circumstances that happened…. 20/20 hindsight there though.

That said, it would take a miracle and an immense amount of great advertising to shift focus from Ps5….. I also don’t think it would be possible without a native Xbox handheld. Remote is ultra nice, but I’d rather have native access anyway.

I honestly don’t understand what a new Xbox console could bring, to persuade people to buy a Xbox. Is better hardware going to make a difference? Series X already had the better hardware. Unless they go back to exclusive games, why would anyone go out and buy Xbox’s all of a sudden? This is one of the worst sold generation for Xbox, and somehow a newer Xbox would sell better? I don’t get it. I say, the only way for them to sell their consoles is to make their games exclusives. Exclusives sell consoles

Technically yes it is time for a new gen if you go by years, but for value or showcasing what the hardware can do? HELL no. Most of this generation has been spent spinning their wheels and Sony regurgitating remakes.

Xbox is only finally starting to find their footing after endless years and that's at the tail end of the generation. This has been a horrible generation in general, just based on what they've done (and the PS5 pro was absolutely unnecessary..) with the hardware. I dunno. I feel like this generation is the one that needs to be doubled in length because sweet-expletive-all has been done.

I’m surprised they haven’t already released one…. In many ways, the Series X/S feels too much like a repeat of the Original Xbox… and that was only on the market for like 3-4 years before being replaced.

@Darylb88 stop crying. What are you expecting from 500 buck consoles? And we weren't told, it's relying on the games and in some cases, you're getting these specs only on a high end pc. The performance of the Series X is great for its price.

@AverageGamer ok, I'm interested if you can explain these "many ways". Because I never had a feeling like this with my Series X so far.

Dear friend @Lup

I am very happy that nobody asked "very loong and comprehensive answer"

We need (both hardware and software wise) powerful flagship console.
1 - It must have (both) with and without diskdrive models
2 - Adequate ssd size
3 - Reasonable price
4 - No bandatory (and seperate) subscription for online play
5 - 100% Backwards compability to all previous xbox games, along with pc games.

Personally, I would like to see more incremental console releases every two to three years rather than every 5-8 years. There is constant innovation available. Rather than controlling it, the console world should embrace constant innovation.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner I think what people are missing is that GP is not the cornerstone of the ecosystem anymore. Yes the definitely wanted it since 2017-2022, so exec compensation was tied to GP growth as well as leaked plans for 100M subs by 2028.
Clearly if you want to sell GP that is not available on rival platforms, you have to sell console. However, last 2 years there was a big shift as they closed the ABK and now they do everything so console does not sell and they clearly just want outright copies sold and micro-transactions from other platforms.

Based on what I see today, I would say they want to ditch the console whatsover, make this xbox OS/layer on windows and call it a day. And we will see how it might look already this year with handheld.
Yes, GP will take a hit but they still keep it. maybe another price hike or closing some loopholes like core conversions. And PC GP demonstrated huge growth (30%) so next gen it can replace the GP console audience.
Seems like they want these 30-35M of console users to go either PC or these xbox-pc hybrids next gen or rival platforms where they will still sell you games. GP will grow regardless when we reach cloud era.

I am not interested in a traditional console a sucessor to SX. With marketing against a console, with less support from MS and probably 3rd party it will struggle. Buying into a console that would cost 599 at minimum with constant rumours how things are bad - sounds like a weird decision. Today the sentiment is bad, imagine what happens next gen when sales will be even lower? We will be reading "xbox dead" rumours twice as often.

I already see online people pretty much argue PS vs PC now. I think its over.

I think they need to forget the consoles and try to deliver this xbox-pc hybrid at the best possible shape in 2027 and try to win thru all the PC benefits we will be getting. Its a hard task and I have my doubts, but that could be a way out for MS.
or do both: release a traditional console for those who want it and pc-xbox hybrid (maybe outsource it) and focus on it more.

Bottom line, traditional console just wont do good. Thats not even a question. Regardless of power and features.

Unless it's a hybrid PC its just pis**ng in the wind at this point and even if it is, a steam machine would be so much better. No way MS allows steam to run on such a hybrid PC. The whole point of the hardware is to try and get people to use Microsoft's front end store.
If you are a PC user already then you will know how irrelevant MS's frontend is and just how little effort they continue to put into it. Only a complete redesign and rebrand would help swing those outcomes, but I just can't see it.
But I do want a TV friendly PC with a console front end, so I still wish them luck even though I wouldn't invest my own money in them as I think their chance of success is slim. I've no idea why they think they can move handhelds when the market is so small atm and most people who want a gaming handheld would be after the switch 2? Still, I've been wrong before and no doubt will be wrong again - it gives us something to talk about and sooner or later we will see how this works out.
If you are going to do it, 2027 doesn't seem such a bad idea..

@Nintendo4Sonic Crying? No. The box has 4K 60fps on it. It even had 8K on it previously. I don't dispute that the value is good overall but if I want to play KCD 2, AC Shadows or any other AAA at anything close to 4K I have to choose 30fps. That's just a fact. The console will have been out 5 years by this November so I am ready for something new that can hit 4K60 through AI tech or other technology upgrades.

@Titntin maybe its lack of faith in them at this point. I honestly dont see them succeding. They had such a great win with x360 and yet it was not enough for them. All their attempts to conquer the world lead to losing everywhere pretty much.

Next gen as a traditional console? will be slaughtered by PS6 and switch 2. It will sell even worse than series thats already not the greatest numbers.
PC-xbox hybrid portable - very small market thats already taken. THere are PC handhelds, steam deck. switch 2 for portable console.
PC-xbox under TV - how its gonna work? can they make reasonable pricing? Game pass count and revenues will suffer. You can get PC today and get all of it. Valve is working on desktop steam os.
I just dont know, they are too late in the game and the only thing they managed to do is acquire studious that can generate cash on their own so now its MS cash. Like buying an existing business. OK.

I would also choose Steam machine or just mini-PC running steam OS any day and night. Free online, best store, most likely suppport of any controller (will use xbox seris lol) amd mouse+keyboard.

@Darylb88 it always depends on the game. There are a lot of Series X games which deliver 4K and 60fps. But when there are games like Alan Wake 2, a 500 buck system can't do miracles. Of course they could have made the console version with 60fps and 4K but with less good graphics.
I also don't have that much of a problem with games that don't deliver 60 fps like others seem to have.
When it's not a very fast game like Ghostrunner, where 60fps really helps the gameplay, I'm ok with 30 or 40 fps.
I played Silent Hill 2 and Dead Space with 30 fps because of the better visuals, I was ok with that.
And even the next Gen will struggle with 4K 60 fps depending on the games.

@Millionski I absolutely agree with everything you are saying.
I don't want to be so negative, and I do wish for better outcomes, but you have to call it how you see it.
I hope they prove us wrong, but I've no idea how that would be achieved..