Report: Xbox Series X Successor Will Be 'Closer To Windows Than Ever'

Exactly what I was saying on the other thread. Xbox One and Series X|S are x86 console-computers that run Windows, obviously, without all the PC features to make consoles faster and more efficient than a similarly built PC.

Microsoft was able to translate the Xbox 360 game code from a PowerPC console. I have no doubt after seeing what Microsoft's engineers have done with Xbox One that they will be able to easily run the whole backwards compatible catalogue on future consoles that are basically Windows computers, maybe even letting the door open for stores other than Microsoft Store, like Steam, thus including Sony's games in the process.

Dropping Windows OS has zero probability, in my opinion. The version of Windows for Xbox will run on future consoles, with regular computers being able to run the console version of Windows, too. Microsoft has already confirmed that they are bringing the Xbox experience to handheld PCs. Everything else falls into line with that. Windows and Xbox together makes the most sense for Microsoft because of several essential reasons:

1) they own Windows,
2) they keep the full Xbox and Play Anywhere library intact,
3) they keep the backwards compatible catalogue,
4) and Xbox Cloud is based on Series X.

On the other hand, starting from scratch and using a third-party OS like Steam OS makes zero sense for Microsoft and the Xbox ecosystem.

I simply cannot wait to earn achievements for spell-checking my Word Docs.

Smart move imo, especially given how many games are available on PC. Further, there's gunna be that extra incentive to release on Xbox if the legwork is practically done by default.

What I think is, I wish they would just come and say.
Yes or no to.
Xbox partner handheld device
Xbox true handheld
Xbox home console.

Not sure why we have to have all this mystery.
We Sony are making a PS6 home console and working with AMD with FSR 4.

It would be nice to have some official speak on all this, especially considering the multi platform vibe and Xbox console future uncertainty.
It would help build some trust for us Xbox fans and give something certain to look forward to.

Please don’t forget quick resume on the series x standout feature that the other consoles don’t have.

@OldGamer999 Sarah Bond already said that they're working on the new Xbox home console and Phil Spencer confirmed the Xbox handheld. The partner handheld device it's a brand new rumour. For me it's already pretty clear.
What else would we need them to say right now to believe the next generation is coming?

"Not sure why we have to have all this mystery.We Sony are making a PS6 home console and working with AMD with FSR 4"

Besides working with AMD and having the inevitable RDNA/FSR4 as upscaler we know next to nothing of the PS6 either.
Microsoft will reveal more when ready, assuming /save for the usual leaks, rumours, speculation, etc.

I hope this is true. I really want the xbox/pc hybrid.

My Xbox is literally about 4 feet from my window and if I get the new one it's going in the same place you can't force someone to keep an Xbox closer to windows if they don't want to you know Microsoft 😂✌️

@Sol4ris Actually, the problem with Xbox is that they answer everyone and, as time goes by, the judgemental internet users reprimand them vocally, as if Microsoft's priority was to lie about the plans that might change. Nintendo is super secretive and everyone seems to understand that. Sony only says what they want to say, even Mark Cerny when officially revealing PS5. Perhaps, Xbox is too eager to answer and share their strategies, but the three of them change their strategies and plans. The difference is that Nintendo hides them and Sony is wary.

@Banjo-

Excellent post, I agree with your points.

@Banjo- The Xbox OS on the X/S already runs a part of the Windows 11 gaming subsystem due to it being a part of the Universal Windows Program. They just need to build up on it.

@cragis0001 Right, Windows and Xbox are closer than ever and it makes perfect sense, all things considered.

Well good, it absolutely needs backwards compatibility to be successful. That’s just fact. One major question is will they still charge for online multiplayer? I don’t see how they can possibly justify that if this thing is just running on regular old Windows.

@Banjo- it does indeed.
As if the Xbox OS becomes a fully working version of the Windows 11 gaming subsystem. Fully retooled to be more console friendly. It will make gaming on Windows 11/12 run better. Like the old tablet mode in Windows 8. But also being modular would allows the OS to be licensed. Add it being a potentially open platform. Then it's win win.
But the big elephant in the room is. Can Microsoft pull it off successfully.

I know this goes away from the point of a console, but I'd love next gen Xbox to allow settings tweaks to give us choice over different frame rates (so same as PC but something I can easily turn on and off with a controller!)

Literally the same speculation we've been hearing over and over and it all comes from the same "source", Jez Corden, who just over a year ago was saying it was impossible for Forza or Xbox 'core franchises' to EVER arrive on PS5...

He just keeps repeating the exact same thing without ever explaining how that PC/Console device would even be profitable for Microsoft to sell, the moment they put Steam there they'll lose the vast majority of software sales, will they sell a $999 PC Xbox? Otherwise how could they subsidize it? Where's the value instead of building a PC yourself?

Just too many questions and he never elaborates in neither of his monthly "the future of Xbox" articles, if you believe he's a reliable source just take the time to listen to some podcasts he's in, every single time he reiterates Microsoft is still "all-in" on Xbox hardware but 2 minutes later he questions himself and excuses it with "but it'd all be fine if they didn't have any hardware", he's just speculating the same way we all are, his "sources" appear to be the voices in his head, stop giving him attention every time he comes with the same echo chamber or at least brand it as what it is, speculation, not "reports".

I think it will (as always) come down to a steady stream of big games. They've been killing it with GP these last few months (Black Ops 6, Stalker 2, Indiana Jones, Avowed) and the next few months are also looking good (South of Midnight, Clair Obscur, Doom Dark Ages, Tony Hawk 3+4, Ninja Gaiden 4). If they can just keep doing this moving forward, I think the next Xbox will do really well no matter what kind of features the hardware has

It has to support Steam otherwise it's DOA. Every Xbox game is going to playstation, there's no reason to own an Xbox for the vast majority of gamers - look at the cliff Xbox sales have fallen off since this shift. Sony cannot skip Steam, other PC game stores are irrelevant. If the next Xbox supports steam, it will get Sony games, probably on a delay but it will get them. It's the only way it's going to sell, but huge questions about cost and licensing costs would be very interesting to see answered.

Wait, what? The new Xbox may support steam? Count me in!

It started to make more sense:

1) not restocking current xboxes worldwide due to lack of desire to sell consoles. The biggest confirmation would be no restock or some value deal closer to gta release.
2) testing waters with xbox handheld that probably will feature early version of xbox layer os over windows.
3) skipping the PRO version
4) no marketing for console.
5) very persistent PC rumours

Not sure how they can lunch a traditional xbox home console. I dont see them suddenly turning 180 and saying “buy our new console, xbox console is the best way to play, we have exclusives”. Hell naw. Its too late.

Seems like They want to convert us to PC players now. A hard task and yeah in the perfect world who does not want steam on their xbox? And mods and open system while still having all advantages of consoles? Yet there are so many difficulties to make it work.

@OldGamer999 Phil has already said they are underway on console development. Sara Bond said big tech leap. They aren’t going to spill to many more beans on Specs, dates etc. that would tip to much of the plans before process’s are finished. In time we will get the reveal. Until then Series consoles continue to get games and GP continues to build up its library.

@Cakefish A long while back i read someone saying MS is planning to ditch the online paywall for next gen. If that’s true and it likely is as it’s now all PC with an under the TV skin for plug and plug. That would be a HUGE advantage going into next gen. Myself and many millions around the world would all do a happy dance. Haha 😀

I see 3 futures for the Xbox:

1. The console reduced to a chipset which can then be integrated into a variety of 3rd party devices. You will see a menagerie of ‘Xbox Powered’ devices from the sorts of manufacturers who make handheld PCs (ASUS etc). Microsoft will of course make their own. It will support PC storefronts magically bringing all Sony’s PC titles to Xbox.

2. A similar series of Xbox handhelds designed to stream new games and play the back catalogue. Despite their best efforts this won’t work out because x86 games are not built for the inevitable ARM architecture (Snapdragon) powered chipset it would require for half-decent battery life. Switch 2 will instead become the de facto handheld Xbox due to 3rd party publishing but will never get the back catalogue that keeps Xbox gamers jumping to PlayStation.

3. They will continue to push streaming as a solution. When xCloud finally comes to the Apple TV (letting us stream our purchases too) many of us will wonder why we even have a games console at all.

Backwards compatibility with my OG, 360 and XBone games was the only reason I purchased a Series X. If everything that plays on the X doesn't play on their next console, that's gonna be a hard pass for me.

Sitting on a $5k+ catalogue Microsoft, don't hose me!