How We Rate Rumors
- 0-20%: Unlikely — Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable — Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible — Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable — Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely — Multiple reliable sources
Rumor Assessment: 80% Probable
The current generation of Xbox and PlayStation consoles is now more than five years old, making it well past the time we would start hearing about what the next generation of consoles will look like. We’ve seen several rumors regarding the next-generation Xbox hardware, and alongside comments from Xbox president Sarah Bond, a clearer picture of Xbox’s next console is beginning to form.
A new report from Windows Central adds more clarity by framing the upcoming Microsoft console as a fusion between the PC and console gaming experiences. This report references comments from Microsoft executives like Sarah Bond and Phil Spencer, as well as unnamed sources who spoke to Windows Central. While nothing is finalized, the emerging concept makes sense for Microsoft’s future hardware.
Both Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond have alluded to the recently released ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds as a glimpse into Microsoft’s vision for its next generation of hardware. The “Xbox Play Anywhere” initiative is becoming more prominent, with all Xbox games playable via the Xbox PC app and Xbox consoles moving forward.
According to the Windows Central report, the next-generation Xbox console will deliver a traditional console experience with its user interface and the ability to natively play console games. However, its foundation will be built on a “curated Windows gaming PC,” allowing access to popular PC game libraries including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Battle.net. This experience mirrors what is currently available on the ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Ally handhelds, which feature the Xbox Full-Screen Experience serving as the device’s home base.
In addition to these libraries, players will also be able to access and enjoy all games currently playable on the Xbox Series X/S consoles—this includes original Xbox titles, Xbox 360 games, and the entire catalog of backward-compatible titles available on Series X/S.
Another notable feature that places this device between the PC and console worlds is the removal of the paywall for online multiplayer gaming. Since the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era, console players have had to pay for online multiplayer access, unlike PC gamers who have never faced this paywall. Microsoft’s next console reportedly plans to eliminate this paywall, aligning the online multiplayer experience more closely with PC gaming standards.
Of course, this will likely coincide with changes to Microsoft’s Game Pass service, though details are still unclear and may not emerge until closer to the hardware’s release.
This proposed hybrid approach is quite interesting—it combines PC perks like access to multiple gaming libraries and free online multiplayer with the simplicity and ease-of-use that consoles provide. If Microsoft executes this vision successfully, it could reshape how gamers experience the next generation of Xbox hardware.
https://wccftech.com/next-gen-xbox-will-reportedly-be-best-of-both-worlds-between-pc-and-console/