Microsoft Readying Xbox Gaming Handheld for 2025, Plans to Launch Next-Generation Console in 2027: Report

Xbox {hardware} has been watching an unsure future since Microsoft pivoted its gaming technique to launch first-party titles on rival platforms in 2024. Console gross sales in the US reportedly hit a report low for the corporate in 2024. Despite Microsoft’s struggles as a platform proprietor, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has stated the corporate remains to be focussed on its {hardware} enterprise. A brand new report has strengthened his declare, detailing the corporate’s gaming {hardware} plans. Microsoft is claimed to readying a PC gaming handheld for launch this 12 months, with plans to carry the Xbox Series S/X successor in 2027.

Xbox Handheld Planned for 2025

The data comes from Windows Central, which claims Microsoft is ready to enter the gaming handheld area with a accomplice machine deliberate for launch later this 12 months. The report, revealed Monday, additionally claims the next-generation Xbox consoles at the moment are totally in manufacturing.

Microsoft is reportedly collaborating with an unique gear producer (OEM) in the PC gaming area on the Xbox handheld machine. While the report would not point out the corporate working with the Xbox dad or mum, it is probably a significant PC producer like Lenovo, Asus and MSI. All three of those corporations have their very own Windows-based PC gaming handhelds in the market with Lenovo Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally and MSI Claw, respectively.

According to the report, the Xbox gaming handheld is codenamed “Keenan” and sports activities a design that is “unmistakeably” Xbox, with a devoted Xbox information button. The machine will more than likely be Windows-based, with a deal with Microsoft retailer and PC Game Pass ecosystems, the report stated. Windows OS would additionally permit customers the set up different recreation storefronts and launchers like Steam and Epic Games Store.

The OS will probably be tailor-made for a handheld expertise, contemplating Windows-based handhelds have confronted criticism over their software program expertise. Microsoft has beforehand stated it intends to mix Windows and Xbox expertise to streamline OS for gaming handhelds.

Windows-based gaming handhelds have confronted criticism over their software program and UI expertise

Next-Gen Xbox Consoles in 2027

In addition to its plans of bringing an Xbox-branded PC gaming handheld to market in 2025, Microsoft is reportedly engaged on the successor to Xbox Series S/X consoles. The next-generation consoles have been “fully greenlit”, the report stated, citing sources conversant in the matter. The firm is planning to launch a successor to the higher-end Xbox Series X in 2027, nevertheless it’s unclear if the underpowered Xbox Series S will get the identical therapy. Microsoft can also be planning to introduce new controller choices with help for direct-to-cloud connectivity, the report stated.

In February 2024, Xbox president Sarah Bond had reiterated Microsoft’s dedication to future Xbox {hardware} in a enterprise replace, claiming the corporate was focussed on delivering “largest technical leap” for a brand new console technology for the subsequent Xbox.

While Microsoft is growing future Xbox {hardware}, questions in regards to the platform’s viability have been raised after the corporate determined to launch its first-party video games on rival platforms. Since Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer introduced in February 2024 that some Xbox unique video games could be launching on PS5 and Nintendo Switch, extra first-party titles — each outdated and new — have launched exterior the Xbox and PC ecosystem.

The Xbox Series X successor has been greenlit at Microsoft
Photo Credit: Microsoft

Xbox Games on Other Platforms

This 12 months, widespread Xbox exclusives like Forza Horizon 5, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and Age of Mythology: Retold have already been introduced for PS5. Bethesda’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which launched on Xbox Series S/X and PC in December, is ready to arrive on Sony’s console in 2025. First-party title Doom: The Dark Ages, additionally from Bethesda, will launch concurrently on PC, Xbox Series S/X and PS5 on May 13.

Spencer has stated greater than as soon as that he wouldn’t rule out any Xbox unique recreation from making the soar to PlayStation. In an interview in January, the Xbox boss advised that Starfield, Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG, might launch on PlayStation, as nicely.

“There’s no specific game that I would — this kind of goes back to my ‘red line’ answer — like there’s no reason for me to put a ring fence around any game and say ‘this game will not go to a place where it will find players, where it will have business success for us’,” Spencer had stated.

“Game Pass is an important component of playing the games on our platform. But to keep games off of other platforms, that’s not a path for us. It doesn’t work for us what we’re doing now,” he had added.

Last month, in a separate interview, Spencer admitted he was now not attempting to transfer gamers on different platforms to Xbox and was as an alternative focussed on constructing the Xbox enterprise there.

Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” advert marketing campaign launched in November
Photo Credit: Microsoft

Even as new Xbox {hardware} is on its manner, Microsoft itself has sought to deemphasise the ‘field’ in the ‘Xbox’, decoupling its content material choices from its console. In November, the corporate ran a brand new “This is an Xbox” advertising and marketing marketing campaign that highlighted its cloud and Game Pass methods, primarily telling Xbox customers that they did not want an Xbox console to play Xbox video games. At an annual shareholders’ assembly a month later, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella doubled down on the message, saying gamers ought to give you the option to expertise Xbox on all their gadgets.

Microsoft’s push in the direction of a multi-platform future for Xbox gaming has come as Xbox Series S/X gross sales have lagged far behind the PS5, at the same time as Xbox participant numbers are up. The firm sees launching its first-party video games on different platforms as an space of development. Last 12 months, Spencer had talked in regards to the resolution to launch Xbox exclusives on PS5 and stated the gaming division had to run a enterprise and be accountable to its dad or mum, Microsoft.

“It’s definitely true inside of Microsoft — the bar is high for us in terms of the delivery that we have to give back to the company, because we get a level of support from the company that’s just amazing in what we’re able to go do.”