The Next Xbox: A PC or Console in a disguised form?
Microsoft appears to be at the forefront of some of the most significant advances in the rapidly evolving gaming industry. According to reports, the next Xbox will be released in 2027, which coincides with Sony’s anticipated introduction of the PlayStation 6. The biggest surprise is Microsoft’s purported gaming plan, which is moving away from the traditional console format and towards a PC-like experience for Xbox.
According to rumors, Microsoft wants the upcoming Xbox to function more like a gaming PC, providing the power and versatility that PC players adore while maintaining the ease of use and simplicity that a console ought to have.
It might employ off-the-shelf PC parts rather than specialized hardware, which would make it simpler for developers to convert games from Xbox to Windows. More significantly, there are talks about letting third-party shopfronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG operate on the system. This would allow consumers to purchase and play games from a variety of sources instead of being restricted to Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Furthermore, Microsoft is creating new controllers with direct cloud connectivity, which eliminates the typical pairing hassles and makes switching between devices incredibly easy. This is in line with the company’s increasing focus on cloud gaming and Game Pass, which remains one of Xbox’s best-selling features.
Microsoft’s alleged plans for an Xbox-branded portable, which might come as early as late 2025 under the codename “Kenan,” could be one of the biggest surprises. This device is anticipated to function more like a Windows-based gaming PC, akin to the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally, but with Xbox’s recognizable user interface and Game Pass integrated straight in, rather than a standard Xbox console.
Given that their exclusives, such as Spider-Man and The Last of Us, might be played on an Xbox-branded gadget, Sony could be put in a difficult position. What could Sony do to stop this? The question is, can they possibly? This change in the game industry is fascinating.
Some supporters worry that the Xbox brand is becoming less distinctive because Microsoft is pushing its games onto the PlayStation and rejecting Xbox hardware sales. Microsoft appears to be more focused on integrating Xbox into a multi-platform environment with Game Pass, cloud gaming, and now PC-based devices than on directly competing with PlayStation. Sony, meanwhile, seems dedicated to the conventional console business model, relying on hardware sales and exclusives to keep PlayStation’s hegemony.
This raises an intriguing question:
Is Microsoft gradually moving away from the console business, or is the company still committed to it?
PlayStation is adopting a different strategy by gradually growing its subscription service and providing users with more value, while Microsoft is making significant steps. The PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium lineup for this month consists of UFC 5, recently released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a fast-paced action platformer already available on PS Plus, and Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, a ridiculous football game with an anime aesthetic.
A mech-based single-player action game is called Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation Code Fairy. Arcade Paradise is a combination of vintage arcade games and business simulation. Play as a rolling ball in the strange open-world action platformer Bang-On Balls Chronicles. Two timelines are covered in the narratively driven adventure game Syberia: The World Before. For fans of Armoured Core, the Armoured Core Trilogy (PS1 Classics) is a significant bonus.
According to a recent leak from a Swiss shop, Grand Theft Auto 6 could be released for $100. A $100 price tag could set a concerning precedent, especially considering the recent industry-wide increase from $60 to $70. Other publishers, such as EA and Activision, may follow suit if GTA 6 sells millions at this price, raising normal versions to $100+ and special editions much more.
Some fans are wondering why Rockstar would charge such a large upfront premium since GTA Online makes billions from microtransactions. Will players resist, or is this the way that game prices will be in the future? Although there have been rumors that The Last of Us Part 3 is in production, director Neil Druckmann recently stated that this isn’t certain.
Naughty Dog has consistently insisted that they won’t produce a follow-up unless they have a compelling tale. The future of the video game franchise is still up in the air, even though HBO’s The Last of Us series is expected to last for at least three seasons. Meanwhile, Naughty Dog is developing a sci-fi action game called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet featuring a world called Sempiria. Although it has been in development since 2020, it will probably take years before it is released.
From March 15–23, Sony will host a unique event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of God of War. Rumours regarding PS5 remasters exist, but no further announcements are expected. Will God of War (2018) or God of War Ragnarok be improved for the PlayStation 5?
The next few years will be critical for the gaming industry because of Microsoft’s PC-like Xbox vision, PlayStation’s ongoing dominance in the traditional console arena, and the possibility that GTA 6 will change game prices. Will Sony’s emphasis on exclusive-driven systems be the more successful approach, or will Xbox’s move towards a multi-platform ecosystem be the future?
