Microsoft’s subsequent gen plans stay elusive, however the newest rumours counsel they’ll be unveiled sooner quite than later.
While Microsoft is eager to promote how one can play Xbox video games with out an Xbox console, it’s additionally promised it’s not dropping out of the {hardware} race any time quickly.
Last yr, the corporate mentioned it was ‘invested within the subsequent technology roadmap,’ repeatedly boasting it could ship ‘the most important technological leap ever in a technology.’ And after months of blatant teasing, Xbox boss Phil Spencer lastly admitted a devoted handheld gadget was being prototyped.
There’s at the moment no telling when any of this new {hardware} is anticipated to launch, however whereas Microsoft final yr appeared to indicate someplace round 2028 a distinguished Call Of Duty leaker claims to know in any other case.
In the early hours of January 6, TheGhostOfHope took to their X account to say they’ve heard that Microsoft is aiming to have a brand new console, dubbed the Xbox Prime, out in 2026.
They added that 2026’s Call Of Duty recreation (which is rumoured to be a Call Of Duty: Ghosts reboot by Infinity Ward) is being thought of as a launch title for the brand new console.
TheGhostOfHope previously said the next Xbox console would launch in late 2026 final yr, based mostly on what they heard from ‘trusted sources.’ However, they admitted it’s unclear if Xbox Prime is the ultimate title for the console or a short lived codename. Although given the horrible names Xbox consoles have historically been lumbered with, this one – which additionally makes for a cool acronym – can be a major step up.
They even directly asked Jez Corden, a dependable Xbox insider, about it, however Corden apparently lacked the sources to substantiate or deny the hearsay.
While there was chatter of recent Xbox {hardware} arriving in 2026 earlier than, it’s at the moment unclear if the Xbox handheld can be a subsequent gen gadget.
Having it’s a hybrid house console would make sense given the success of the Nintendo Switch however that might counsel a much less highly effective gadget than the present Xbox Series X, given the restrictions inherent in making a conveyable.
If the hand-held is supposed to be subsequent gen although, a 2026 launch may be too optimistic since Phil Spencer just lately mentioned that any Xbox handheld is ‘a couple of years out,’ implying a 2027 or 2028 launch window.
However, TheGhostOfHope stays assured that Microsoft may have a console prepared for subsequent yr, calling it an ‘open secret’ inside the business and saying such a launch will give Microsoft a head begin on the eventual PlayStation 6, which isn’t anticipated to reach till 2028.
Such a plan is harking back to what occurred with the unique Xbox within the mid-2000s, which was rapidly ditched in favour of the Xbox 360. That gave it a yr head begin on the PlayStation 3 and it stays to today Microsoft’s most profitable console, by way of each gross sales and business affect.
Given the declining gross sales of Xbox consoles because the Xbox 360 period, it’s tough to think about how Microsoft may flip this development round however then there’s nonetheless no clue as to what their nice ‘technological leap’ may very well be, with one thing referring to AI being the one apparent guess.
Sony can be reportedly engaged on a brand new handheld gadget of its personal. So, any new {hardware} announcement from Microsoft would invite Sony to do the identical.
Another hearsay has claimed that PlayStation 6 may launch as early as late 2026. Ultimately, Microsoft and Sony can be taking part in hen with one another, since neither will need to be the primary to announce a brand new console and provides the opposite the prospect to adapt their plans accordingly.
It would possibly really feel too early to be discussing the subsequent technology, however the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launched in 2020, so 2028 is roughly when a brand new technology can be anticipated, underneath regular circumstances. Although between the pandemic and the price of residing disaster it’s straightforward to argue these usually are not regular circumstances.
Nevertheless, falling gross sales for each the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 are seemingly all the motivation Microsoft and Sony really feel they want for the subsequent technology, with each consoles having peaked throughout Christmas 2023.
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