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Leaked Xbox documents reveal plans for next-gen console, cloud gaming, and more

Microsoft

Xbox Series X Refresh Planned for 2024, Leaked Documents Reveal

A massive leak of court documents from the FTC v. Microsoft trial has revealed a number of new details about Microsoft’s plans for the future of Xbox, including a refresh of the Xbox Series X console planned for 2024.

The leaked documents suggest that the refreshed Xbox Series X will feature a number of upgrades, including:

  • A new 6nm chip from AMD
  • More powerful GPU and CPU
  • Faster storage
  • More efficient power supply
  • A new design with a smaller footprint

The documents also suggest that Microsoft is planning to release a new cloud hybrid console in 2028. This console would combine the power of local hardware with the cloud to deliver a new level of gaming performance and experiences.

In addition to the hardware news, the leaked documents also reveal a number of other interesting details about Microsoft’s plans for Xbox, including:

  • Microsoft is working on a new AI-powered game streaming service that would allow gamers to play Xbox games on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
  • Microsoft is also working on a new cloud gaming service for PCs that would allow gamers to play Xbox games on their PCs without having to download or install them.
  • Microsoft is also working on a new subscription service that would give gamers access to a library of Xbox games on a monthly basis.

The leaked documents provide a fascinating glimpse into Microsoft’s plans for the future of Xbox. The company is clearly investing heavily in the platform, and it is committed to providing gamers with the best possible gaming experiences.

It is important to note that the leaked documents are from 2022, so Microsoft’s plans may have changed since then. However, the documents do provide a good indication of the company’s direction for Xbox in the coming years.

All-digital Xbox Series X refresh

Microsoft

Xbox Series X Refresh Planned for 2024, Ditching Disc Drive

Microsoft is planning to release a refreshed Xbox Series X console in 2024, codenamed “Brooklin,” according to leaked documents. The new console will feature a number of upgrades, including:

  • Double the internal storage at 2TB
  • Lower power usage
  • Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
  • A cylindrical design
  • No disc drive

The refreshed Xbox Series X will be sold for $499, the same price as the current console.

This is a significant shift for Microsoft, as it has previously offered disc drives as standard on its Xbox consoles. The decision to ditch the disc drive suggests that Microsoft is betting that the future of gaming is digital.

The leaked documents also reveal that Microsoft is planning to release a refreshed Xbox Series S console in 2024, codenamed “Ellewood.” The Ellewood will have a number of upgrades, including:

  • More internal storage at 1TB
  • A new design

The Ellewood will be sold for $299, the same price as the current Xbox Series S console.

It is important to note that the leaked documents are from 2022, so Microsoft’s plans may have changed since then. However, the documents do provide a good indication of the company’s direction for Xbox in the coming years.

My thoughts

I am curious to see how gamers react to the news that Microsoft is planning to release a refreshed Xbox Series X console without a disc drive. Some gamers prefer to buy physical copies of games, while others prefer to download games digitally. It will be interesting to see which group is larger.

I am also curious to see how the refreshed Xbox Series X console performs compared to the current console. The new console is rumored to have a number of upgrades, including a more powerful CPU and GPU. It will be interesting to see how these upgrades translate to real-world performance.

Overall, I am excited to see what the future holds for Xbox. Microsoft is clearly investing heavily in the platform, and I am confident that the company will continue to release innovative and exciting gaming experiences.

Microsoft

Microsoft Planning Updated Xbox Controller for 2024

Microsoft is planning to release an updated Xbox controller in 2024, codenamed “Sebile,” according to leaked documents. The new controller will feature a number of upgrades, including:

  • Precision haptic feedback
  • Quieter inputs
  • Modular thumbsticks
  • Support for seamless pairing and switching between devices
  • Direct-to-cloud connectivity

The direct-to-cloud connectivity feature suggests that Microsoft is focusing on reducing input latency for games streamed from the cloud. This is a feature that Google tried to implement with the Stadia Controller, but it was not successful.

The Sebile controller is slated to arrive in May 2024, according to the documents. Microsoft is then expected to announce the refreshed Xbox Series X and Series S consoles in June 2024. The refreshed Xbox Series S is expected to go on sale in August or September 2024, with the refreshed Xbox Series X scheduled to land a couple of months later.

Microsoft is also planning a clearance sale on the current Xbox Series S console, with a $199 offer planned for Black Friday 2024.

My thoughts

I am excited to see the new Xbox controller. The upgrades that Microsoft has planned sound promising, and I am curious to see how they improve the gaming experience.

I am also interested to see how the refreshed Xbox Series X and Series S consoles perform. The new consoles are rumored to have a number of upgrades, including more powerful CPUs and GPUs. It will be interesting to see how these upgrades translate to real-world performance.

Overall, I am optimistic about the future of Xbox. Microsoft is clearly investing heavily in the platform, and I am confident that the company will continue to release innovative and exciting gaming experiences.

The next-gen Xbox could be a ‘cloud-hybrid’ console

Xbox

Microsoft Planning Next-Gen Xbox with Cloud Hybrid Games

Microsoft is planning to release a next-gen Xbox console in 2028 that will support cloud hybrid games. Cloud hybrid games are games that combine the power of local hardware with the cloud to deliver a new level of gaming performance and experiences.

There is not much detail available about cloud hybrid games yet, but it is clear that Microsoft has been moving in this direction for a while. Microsoft Flight Simulator, for example, incorporates real-time weather data that it pulls from the cloud. Xbox has also been making a major push into cloud gaming over the last few years.

It is possible that the next-generation Xbox will have an always-online requirement for certain games. This could prevent some people in rural areas or other regions with poor internet access from being able to play games on the console.

However, it is also possible that Microsoft will find a way to make cloud hybrid games accessible to everyone, regardless of their internet access. For example, Microsoft could offer a download option for cloud hybrid games, so that people can play the games offline.

Overall, I am excited about the future of Xbox. Microsoft is clearly thinking ahead and planning for the next generation of gaming. I am curious to see how cloud hybrid games will change the way we play games.

My thoughts

I am cautiously optimistic about cloud hybrid games. The potential benefits are clear: cloud hybrid games could deliver a new level of gaming performance and experiences. However, there are also potential drawbacks: cloud hybrid games could have an always-online requirement and could be inaccessible to people with poor internet access.

I hope that Microsoft will find a way to make cloud hybrid games accessible to everyone. I would also like to see Microsoft provide more information about cloud hybrid games in the coming months.

Xbox head Phil Spencer really wants to buy Nintendo

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has revealed that he would like to buy Nintendo. In an internal email from 2020, Spencer described Nintendo as a “white whale” for the company and a “career moment.”

Spencer also mentioned in the email that Microsoft was in talks with other potential acquisition targets, including Warner Bros. Interactive and Bethesda parent ZeniMax Media. Microsoft ultimately acquired ZeniMax in 2021, but the deal with Warner Bros. Interactive fell through.

It is highly unlikely that Microsoft would ever be able to acquire Nintendo, even if it wanted to. Antitrust regulators would likely block such a deal, particularly given Microsoft’s recent acquisitions of ZeniMax and Activision Blizzard.

However, it is interesting to see that Spencer is thinking about the future of Xbox in such a big way. It is clear that he wants to make Microsoft a major player in the gaming industry, and he is willing to think outside the box to achieve that goal.

My thoughts

I think it is great that Spencer has big ambitions for Microsoft Gaming. He is clearly passionate about gaming, and he wants to create the best possible experiences for gamers.

However, I agree that it is highly unlikely that Microsoft would ever be able to acquire Nintendo. The antitrust concerns are simply too great.

Even if Microsoft could acquire Nintendo, it is not clear that it would be a good thing for the gaming industry. Nintendo is a unique company with a strong culture and identity. It is not clear how well Nintendo would fit into Microsoft’s corporate structure.

Overall, I think it is best to view Spencer’s comments about acquiring Nintendo as a sign of his ambition for Microsoft Gaming, rather than a realistic goal.

Upcoming games

New Doom and Dishonored Games in Development?

A leaked Microsoft document suggests that new Doom and Dishonored games are in development. This is exciting news for fans of both franchises, as they have not seen new entries in several years.

However, it is important to note that the leaked document is from 2020, and a lot has changed since then. Microsoft has acquired Bethesda, and games get canceled all the time. Therefore, it is unclear whether these new Doom and Dishonored games will actually be released.

That said, it is hard to imagine that there is not some kind of Doom title in development. Doom is one of Bethesda’s most popular franchises, and it is likely that the company is eager to release a new game in the series.

I am also excited about the possibility of a new Dishonored game. Dishonored is a critically acclaimed franchise, and it is known for its unique art style and gameplay. I am curious to see what Arkane Studios does with the series next.

Overall, I am optimistic about the future of Doom and Dishonored. However, I will try to keep my expectations in check until Bethesda officially announces new games in these franchises.

Microsoft

The leaked Microsoft documents have revealed a lot of information about the company’s plans for the future, including new Doom and Dishonored games, a refreshed Xbox Series X console, and a cloud-hybrid Xbox console in 2028.

The timing of the leak is unfortunate for Microsoft, as it comes just as the company is preparing to launch its new game Starfield. It is possible that the leak could damage sales of Starfield and the Xbox Series X console, as some people may wait for the refreshed console to be released next year.

The leak could also have implications for Microsoft’s pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC is already suing to block the deal, and the leaked documents could give the FTC additional ammunition.

Overall, the leaked Microsoft documents are a significant blow to the company. The documents have revealed a lot of sensitive information, and they could damage Microsoft’s business in a number of ways.

My thoughts

I am curious to see how Microsoft responds to the leak. The company has not yet released a statement, but I am sure that it will be working to contain the damage.

I am also curious to see how the leak will impact Microsoft’s plans for the future. It is possible that the company will delay the release of some of its upcoming games, or that it will make changes to its hardware roadmap.

Overall, I think the leaked Microsoft documents are a reminder that even the biggest companies are vulnerable to data breaches. Microsoft needs to learn from this experience and improve its security measures.

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