Draft:Xbox (5th generation)
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| Developer | Microsoft Gaming |
|---|---|
| Product family | Xbox |
| Type | |
| Generation | Tenth |
| Release date |
|
| Media | Digital distribution |
| CPU | |
| Controller input |
|
| Online services | Xbox network, Xbox Game Pass |
| Backward compatibility | [a] |
| Predecessor | Xbox Series X and Series S |
| Website | xbox |
The fifth generation of hardware in the Xbox line is in development by Microsoft, planned as the successors to the Xbox Series X and Series S. It is expected to be part of the tenth generation of video game consoles alongside Sony's PlayStation 6 and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Details surrounding console successors to the Xbox Series X/S were leaked in a series of documents submitted by Microsoft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during hearings concerning their planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. Microsoft Gaming announced their plans for a new generation of hardware in June 2025, including new consoles. The hardware will be manufactured in partnership with AMD as with both Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and will prioritize new standards of visual quality and gameplay experiences, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) processes. The next generation Xbox hardware is also planned to be further synergized with the Windows platform to deliver a ubiquitous experience that encompasses multiple devices and storefronts. It will be the first Xbox generation with consoles being supplemented by a variety of hardware including other handhelds, PC and cloud devices. The console successors are also anticipated to maintain backwards compatibility with all Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One titles, including games from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox that were made backwards-compatible with Xbox One and Series X/S consoles.
History
[edit]Documents submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during the hearing concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft in 2023 revealed preliminary details concerning the next-generation of Xbox hardware following the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, which was internally slated at Microsoft for a 2028 launch.[2] The leaked presentation detailed a "hybrid game platform" that would leverage both native hardware computing and cloud streaming for "new classes of game experiences." Microsoft referred to the concept as a "Cohesive Hybrid Compute" system that would entail ubiquitous architecture at the cloud, silicon, graphics and operating system levels for seamless integration of remote streaming during games played natively on hardware.[3]
Microsoft also detailed plans to heavily utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) processes that would support resolution upscaling, low-latency compensation and frame rate interpolation similar to the present FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technologies respectively employed by AMD and Nvidia in recent graphics card releases.[4] A slide detailing development timeline for the new hardware proposed that the physical hardware would be finalized, and that first-party developers would begin production on hybrid cloud titles between 2024 and 2026, before development kits would be distributed to third-party studios and publishers by 2027.[5] Other documents presenting a broader hardware timeline through 2030 included references to multiple "consumer or handheld devices" released below $99 USD with a simplified OS, potentially for remotely playing games, as well as a new iteration of the Xbox Wireless Controller codenamed "Sebile" that would feature haptics and an accelerometer similar to the DualSense controller used with Sony's PlayStation 5, modular thumbsticks, a "lift-to-wake" function, and seamless pairing between native devices and cloud servers for streamed games and remote play.[6][7]
In February 2024, the newly restructured Microsoft Gaming announced a strategic shift towards agnostic games publishing that would see the firm begin to distribute former first-party Xbox exclusive software on rival platforms such as PlayStation consoles and Nintendo Switch.[8] Amid commentary that such a development would precede Microsoft's formal exit from the dedicated game console market, Xbox president Sarah Bond reaffirmed commitment towards a next generation of Xbox hardware that would deliver "the biggest technological leap ever in a generation", in an email directed towards staff.[9] Bond simultaneously announced the founding of a new team dedicated to supporting the preservation and backward compatibility of existing Xbox game libraries.[10] During the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer expressed interest in future Xbox hardware supporting multiple game distribution clients such as Steam and the Epic Games Store, citing a desire to release limitations from the traditional console model as dedicated hardware became harder to subsidize, while also leaning into Microsoft's present experience with open platforms such as Windows and the maturing PC gaming market.[11]
Spencer confirmed to Bloomberg in November 2024 that a team within Xbox was exploring ideas and prototyping a potential handheld system while also working to improve the native Xbox app for Windows on third-party handheld PCs such as the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.[12] Jason Ronald, Microsoft Gaming's vice president for "Next Generation", told The Verge in January 2025 that Microsoft was in the early stages of closely merging the Xbox and Windows platform experiences for existing handheld PCs, saying that the goal was to bring software innovations "incubated and developed" within the Xbox console space to the PC platform going forward, providing a simplified interface that would prioritize specific gaming needs and optimize Windows for controllers.[13] When questioned on the value of Xbox hardware amidst Microsoft's continued push to publish first-party games on multiple platforms beyond their own consoles, Spencer said in an interview with Gamertag Radio that he wished for new Xbox hardware to compete with other consoles on hardware capabilities, and how those elements fit around player preferences and habits, as opposed to exclusive games.[14]
Reports in March 2025 alleged that Microsoft's release of its next-generation Xbox lineup, which was now greenlit for a 2027 launch, included both a premium successor to the Xbox Series X, and an Xbox handheld console that would substitute the budget entry previously filled by Xbox Series S. Both platforms were also expected to be more closely synergized with Windows than prior Xbox consoles, which was anticipated to reduce the developer workload when porting existing titles from PC.[15] Two months later in May, additional reporting from Windows Central inferred that Microsoft had internally de-prioritized the first-party handheld device in the near future, in favor of pursuing further third-party partnerships with manufacturers such as Asus on Xbox-licensed OEM handheld PCs, in addition to further optimizations for gaming on Windows 11 for existing handhelds.[16] A piece from The Verge solidified the Xbox handheld as "essentially canceled", and that Microsoft's plans for next-generation Xbox hardware also included multiple devices from other PC makers that would be marketed and distributed as Xbox platforms, such as the then-recently unveiled ROG Xbox Ally handhelds from Asus.[17]
Announcements
[edit]Microsoft officially announced a partnership with AMD to develop the next generation of Xbox devices and cloud technology, including the successor consoles to Xbox Series X/S, in a video released on June 17, 2025.[18] The video, presented by Sarah Bond, detailed that the upcoming hardware lineup would "deliver deeper visual quality, immersive gameplay and AI powered experiences," while also proposing a first-party platform not tied to a single digital storefront and encompassing multiple devices between consoles, handhelds, PC and cloud.[19] Bond also confirmed that the next generation consoles would maintain compatibility with existing Xbox games.[20] AMD's Kelly Su appeared in a seperate announcement video to further detail their partnership on future Xbox hardware, pledging that they would "go beyond making custom chips for Xbox consoles" and were planning a lineup of silicon leveraging their Ryzen and Radeon technologies with backwards compatibility across multiple platforms, including handhelds, PC and cloud devices.[21] Su also reiterated Xbox's stated commitment towards a "vibrant, open ecosystem" that delivers new graphics and gameplay experiences leveraging AI processes.[22]
Hardware
[edit]As detailed in the documents submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2023, the next generation Xbox consoles will use a custom central processing unit (CPU) based on Zen 6 architecture and a Navi 5 graphics processing unit (GPU) co-designed in partnership with AMD, in conjunction with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) that features support for machine learning silicon.[23] Said NPU is intended to enable artificial intelligence processes such as FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) for upscaling game resolutions beyond native capabilties of the hardware, as well as frame generation and providing low latency controller response when streaming games remotely or through Xbox Cloud Gaming.[24]
Games
[edit]Backward compatibility
[edit]Microsoft has stated that the next generation Xbox consoles will maintain compatibility with currently available games for Xbox Series X and Series S and Xbox One, including prior games from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox consoles that were made backwards-compatible with Xbox One and Series X/S.[25]
Release
[edit]The fifth generation of Xbox hardware is reportedly slated to launch in 2027.[26]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
No Kinectwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Xbox FTC leaks – the next-generation Xbox, mid-generation Xbox Series refresh, and more [Update]". Gematsu. 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Hollister, Sean (2023-09-19). "Microsoft's next Xbox, coming 2028, envisions hybrid computing". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Leaked Microsoft documents detail 'cloud hybrid' next-gen Xbox for 2028". Engadget. 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Young, Jennifer (2023-09-19). "Leaked documents detail next-gen Xbox targeting 2028, new hybrid cloud gaming plans". Windows Central. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Hollister, Sean (2023-09-19). "Microsoft's new Xbox controller borrows great ideas from Stadia, Steam, and Sony". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Lyles, Taylor (2023-09-19). "All the Major Revelations From the FTC vs. Xbox Court Document Leaks". IGN. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Nelson, Mike (2024-02-15). "Xbox's Promise to Bring More Games to More Players Around the World". Xbox Wire. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Corden, Jez (2024-04-06). "EXCLUSIVE: Xbox President Sarah Bond has set up a new team dedicated to game preservation and forward compatibility". Windows Central. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Xbox Has Put Together A New Team Focused On Game Preservation". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Plante, Chris (2024-03-26). "Phil Spencer wants Epic Games Store and others on Xbox consoles". Polygon. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2024-11-13). "Microsoft Confirms Plans to Release an Xbox Handheld, but It's Years Away". IGN. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Warren, Tom (2025-01-08). "Microsoft is combining 'the best of Xbox and Windows together' for handhelds". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Phil Spencer explains why you should buy an Xbox in its multiplatform era: 'We want to win on capabilities'". VGC. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Corden, Jez (2025-03-10). "Xbox's hardware fightback begins with a gaming handheld planned for later this year, with full next-gen consoles targeting 2027". Windows Central. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Corden, Jez (2025-05-29). "EXCLUSIVE: Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined (for now)". Windows Central. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Xbox Handheld Device "Essentially Canceled" - Report". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "Xbox President Shares New Details On Next-Gen Xbox Console". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2025-06-17). "Microsoft Confirms First-Party Next-Generation Xbox Consoles, Announces Deal With AMD and Promises Full Backwards Compatibility With Your Existing Xbox Library". IGN. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Warren, Tom (2025-06-17). "Microsoft's next-gen Xbox has an AMD chip inside and is 'not locked to a single store'". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Kerry, Ben (2025-06-19). "Xbox & AMD Are 'Delivering On A Promise' By Making Existing Libraries Work On Next-Gen". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ Hunt, Cale (2025-06-19). ""In this next chapter with Xbox, we're not just pushing pixels. We're reimagining what's possible" — AMD comments on its partnership with Microsoft". Windows Central. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ Subramaniam, Vaidyanathan (2023-09-21). "First look at Microsoft's purported Xbox handheld via leaked FTC docs; Next gen Xbox in 2028 could use AMD Zen 6 or ARM with Navi 5 GPU and NPU". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Ridley, Jacob (2023-09-20). "Microsoft dreamed up a next-gen Xbox, powered by Zen 6 and Navi 5, and 'performance beyond the capabilities of the client hardware alone'". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Gilbert, Fraser (2025-06-18). "With Its Next Console, Xbox Is Making A Big Commitment To Backwards Compatibility". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2025-03-11). "Full Next-Gen Xbox Reportedly Set for 2027, Xbox-Branded Gaming Handheld Due Out Later in 2025". IGN. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
External links
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