Later this year, Microsoft will launch the Xbox One X. The Xbox One X is an iterative improvement over the existing Xbox One, but it is a major improvement over it regardless. It marks the official debut of Microsoft’s vision of a gaming future where hardware generations are no longer the norm- continuous compatibility, much like in the mobile and PC gaming markets, is instead standard.

It sounds like this is a plan that Microsoft intends to stick to. No matter what the speculation or wishful thinking may suggest, it is now clear that Microsoft fully intends to continue making Xbox hardware. In fact, Windows Central’s Jez Corden, well known Microsoft insider who has been at the forefront of many leaks from within the company previously (including the Xbox One X, back when it was called the Scorpio, itself), has revealed that the next Xbox console is already under development at Microsoft.

According to Corden, the new Xbox is not due to launch any time soon- Corden reckons a 2 year window is too early for it to be launching, meaning the earliest we can expect it is some time in 2020. He suggests that the new system may be a refresh of the Xbox One X, much like it was for the original Xbox One (though it is important to note that he hasn’t committed to the idea)- he also points out that as far as Microsoft is concerned, there are no more ‘generations’, meaning a ‘next generation’ Xbox in the traditional sense of the term may never happen.

For people like me – cynics, who reckon Microsoft’s focus on hardware over games is misguided – Corden dropped the intriguing hint that Xbox boss Phil Spencer has heard and is aware of the feedback Microsoft has received regarding the Xbox first party lineup. Corden didn’t say anything more, but the fact that he acknowledged the sentiment at all suggests that there may be a change internally at Microsoft in terms of how it approaches its portfolio of first party games. If so, I must admit that is what I am excited about the most, more than even new Xbox hardware beyond the One X.

If all of this is true, then we should hopefully start hearing rumblings of the new Xbox by the end of next year- it’ll be interesting to see whether it will be able to hold muster to the hypothetical PS5, which, going by common rumors and speculation, will be launching around the same time that the Xbox One X successor might launch.

The next Xbox is already being designed.

— Jez C (@JezCorden) July 11, 2017

No idea, 2 years sounds too soon to me.

— Jez C (@JezCorden) July 11, 2017

Posted: Jul 13, 2017 5:06 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://gamingbolt.com/xbox-one-x-successor-already-in-development-may-be-an-iterative-refresh-of-xbox-one-x-insider