In case you missed it, Xbox has been in a precarious spot when it comes to future console plans. Everything that the company has said has indicated that “everything will be an Xbox” going forward, adding fuel to the fire that there wouldn’t be a proper console release in the future. It turns out that isn’t the case, according to one Xbox executive.
Speaking to VarietyXbox president Sarah Bond notes that the company is working on hardware. While some of the interview focuses on the recently-released ROG Xbox Ally devices, Bond does outright confirm that Microsoft has “next-gen hardware in development.”
Microsoft Has “Next-Gen Hardware In Development”
Hopefully It Has a Disc Drive
Amid rumors and speculation that Xbox consoles are leaving various retailers for good and that Microsoft isn’t interested in the traditional console model, these quotes from Bond serve as a reminder that the massive conglomerate isn’t done fighting quite yet.
Here is Bond really hammering down on that fact: “We want to make sure that people have a choice…we want to make sure there’s an option for the power players who want the latest innovations, that want to push the edge of what’s possible, the most demanding players. And then, if someone is looking for PC gaming on the go, they’re a casual gamer, they’re a gaming enthusiast, then there’s Xbox (Ally) for them. Giving multiple choices for people, so we can actually meet people where they are.”
Beyond that, it doesn’t really get more definitive than this: “We are 100% looking at making things in the future. We have our next-gen hardware in development. We’ve been looking at prototyping, designing. We have a partnership we’ve announced with AMD around it, so that is coming. What we saw here was an opportunity to innovate in a new way and to bring gamers another choice, in addition to our next-gen hardware. We are always listening to what players and creators want. When there is demand for innovation, we’re going to build it.”
Will People Buy A New Xbox?
Sony And Nintendo Are Still Riding High
Right now, the PlayStation 5 is approaching the top 10 all-time best-selling console list, as it only needs a few more million units sold to inch in and overtake the Game Boy Advance’s lifetime sales. The original Nintendo Switch is third overall, and technically it isn’t fully dead yet. Meanwhile, Microsoft hasn’t had a console crack the top 10 since 2005’s Xbox 360.
f Xbox really is going to jump back into the console race again, it needs to do things differently. While there has been a lot of speculation about Microsoft leaving the gaming industry entirely, competition can often make things better for everyone.
- Brand
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Xbox / ROG
- Operating System
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Windows 11 Home
- Storage
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512GB M.2 2280 SSD (upgradable)
- Processor
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AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor
- Resolution
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FHD 1080p
- Original Release Date
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2025