Microsoft is gearing up for a pivotal moment in its gaming journey, with plans to unveil its next Xbox console in 2028. This revelation emerged from a May 2022 executive meeting, as reported by Axios. The news surfaces amidst Microsoft’s legal tussle with the US Federal Trade Commission, which concerns its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard.
The leaked meeting excerpts provide a glimpse into Microsoft’s strategic deliberations regarding the Xbox’s evolution. High-ranking figures, including CEO Satya Nadella, CFO Amy Hood, and Phil Spencer, Head of Gaming, weighed the merits of continuing with the traditional model of fixed hardware standards or shifting to a more adaptive approach.
Anuj Gosalia, Corporate Vice President of Immersive Experiences, emphasized the significance of maintaining a consistent platform for developers. He raised an intriguing query about the 2028 model’s direction: will it echo previous fixed designs, or embrace a more Windows-like malleability?
In response, Kevin Gammill, Corporate Vice President of Gaming Ecosystems, alluded to Microsoft’s past forays into diverse Xbox models. Citing the Xbox One and Xbox One X, along with their descendants, Series S | X, he argued for a balance: the upcoming generation should offer greater adaptability while enabling game creators to harness distinct hardware advantages.
This seemingly casual exchange, never meant for public consumption, subtly affirms the industry speculation of a new console generation around 2028. This lines up neatly with more cryptic remarks emanating from Microsoft’s legal corridors.
The year 2020 marked a fresh chapter in the console rivalry with the synchronized launches of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S | X. Although Sony clinched a sales lead this round, Microsoft recalibrated its approach, prioritizing its game services, exemplified by the comprehensive Xbox Game Pass.
However, the seesaw battle between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation can be reset with every console cycle, offering opportunities for tactical shifts. On a separate note, Nintendo, the third heavyweight in this contest, prefers marching to its rhythm, rolling out hardware on self-set schedules.
