The Microsoft leaks proceed: this time we have now a transparent thought of the corporate’s plans for its next-generation Xbox console due out 2028.
Paperwork launched as a part of the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the buyout of Activision Blizzard embody a pitch dated Could 2022 that itself features a slide all about “the next generation of gaming at Microsoft”.
It’s this slide that reveals Microsoft’s plans as of final yr. The corporate plots out a “next generation hybrid game platform” that mixes the ability of the shopper and the cloud to “enable new levels of performance beyond the capabilities of the client hardware alone”.
The slide goes into element in regards to the unannounced {hardware}, which doubtlessly consists of an ARM64 CPU and an AMD GPU. “Forward compatibility” is talked about. There’s additionally phrase of “next gen DirectX ray tracing”, dynamic international illumination, machine learning-based tremendous decision, and micropolygon rendering optimisations.
Right here’s the place it will get actually fascinating: the slide mentions a “thin OS” for sub $99 “consumer or handheld devices”. The suggestion right here is Microsoft plans for avid gamers to have the ability to use a handheld of some description to play video games boosted by the cloud. In one other slide, Microsoft mentions “cloud hybrid” video games for its next-gen Xbox.
Yet one more slide reveals the timeline for the manufacturing of this new console. Microsoft is presently within the {hardware} design section, if it’s nonetheless on monitor with this plan outlined final yr. Improvement kits are set for 2027. It seems to be like a late 2028 launch was the unique goal.
It’s vital to notice that plans change, and this timeline could have shifted. Certainly, Microsoft could have cancelled its plans solely. IGN has requested Microsoft for remark.
The Microsoft leaks have already spilled the beans on plans for a mid-gen Xbox refresh, in addition to leaked Bethesda’s launch schedule. Count on extra to comply with.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
