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[RetroGamingUK]

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-ambitious-new-xbox-your-entire-console-library-the-full-power-of-windows-pc-gaming-and-more

The next-gen Xbox from Microsoft will be a curated Windows gaming PC, complete with your full native console library. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has been teasing for years what next-gen will look like for Xbox, as people wondered exactly how this strategy might pan out. Last week, Phil Spencer said that people should look to the Xbox Ally for an idea of where Xbox is headed, and we spoke to our trusted sources over the weekend to learn a bit more about what that means.

As many of us has come to expect, the next Xbox will indeed run full-bore Windows, with a TV-optimized, console-style experience layered on top.

Indeed, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, with its Xbox Full Screen Experience is essentially what the next Xbox will look like. It's not dissimilar to the SteamOS interface and Big Picture Mode, which allows you to exit out into full Linux at will. Similarly, the Xbox Full Screen Experience will allow you to exit out to full Windows if you want to, and run competing stores like Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft's own Battle.net, the Riot Client, and indeed anything else you want. Indeed, you could run Adobe CC or Microsoft Office on the next Xbox, if you so choose.

Furthermore, thanks to new silicon from AMD (already approved all the way up to CFO Amy Hood and CEO Satya Nadella), the new Xbox will also run all games currently available on the Xbox Series X|S library. This means all the OG Xbox back compatible games, all the Xbox 360 back compatible games, all the Xbox One back compatible games, and all the current and future Xbox Series X|S games. These games will run natively on the new Xbox, and launch seamlessly via the Xbox launcher's library.

Where the Xbox console will differ from a traditional Windows PC is that it will feel like a traditional Xbox console out of the box. The onboarding experience will be similar to what you get today on console, and if you choose, you can remain fully inside the Xbox ecosystem, never touching Windows itself. Exiting out to Windows will be for those who want to access games traditionally not available on Xbox, including PlayStation games on Steam, mouse and keyboard-first games like League of Legends, or even classic games from GOG and the like.

Furthermore, thanks to new silicon from AMD (already approved all the way up to CFO Amy Hood and CEO Satya Nadella), the new Xbox will also run all games currently available on the Xbox Series X|S library. This means all the OG Xbox back-compatible games, all the Xbox 360 back-compatible games, all the Xbox One back-compatible games, and all the current and future Xbox Series X|S games. These games will run natively on the new Xbox and launch seamlessly via the Xbox launcher's library.

The landing strip I've seen for next-gen Xbox hardware has always pointed to 2027. This experience needs to be ready when it launches, with every possible kink ironed out.

Expect the user experience to work as below...

 

[cwoody63]

Might b cool. Probably not worth the price for me though. We'll see how the price vs performance comparison goes with the PS6.

 

[analog_future]

They're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than what's currently running on the Ally if they want this to work.

 

[Denton]

I have been saying this for years. It was obvious this is how MS intends to get competitive advantage over Sony. It was also one of the reasons why they decided to release all their games on PC.
I am looking forward to competition between MS PC, Valve PC and Sony console.

 

[DryvBy]

Prediction: 100% accurate

 

[Ellis]

And some people still thought MS would make a traditional Xbox again after Series.

 

[AJUMP23]

Will you just need PC gamepass then?

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I called this months ago, it's effectively Microsoft exiting the console space while providing backwards compatibility with old console games

Thread 'Is the next Xbox simply a compact Windows PC?'

Feb 16, 2025

The more I hear about the next Xbox, the more I'm convinced that Microsoft are simply going to release a Windows desktop PC and stick an "Xbox" logo to separate it from other off the shelf Windows PCs.

https://archive.is/Q5O6x

Here's where I think they're going…

- Windows compact/desktop PC with "Xbox" logo on it

- Runs standard Windows 12

- Designed for on-desk and under-TV use

- Other OEMs (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asis) will be able to "Xbox" certified devices, providing they stick to the same spec

- When bought, all units will have the same spec, this will allow PC game...

• RetroGamingUK
• Replies: 286
• Forum: Gaming Discussion

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[RetroGamingUK]

They're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than what's currently running on the Ally if they want this to work.

It's basically the Ally experience, Windows 11 with an "Xbox" app running in full screen.

 

[MisterXDTV]

Yeah Jez, we know it's just a fucking PC

Only you didn't....

IDIOT

 

[Punished Miku]

Finally, I can play Fusion Frenzy and check my GameTop library on one device.

 

[Soren01]

This whole "curated Windows PC" thing just seems like BS to me

 

[Baemono]

It's basically the Ally experience, Windows 11 with an "Xbox" app running in full screen.

Yeah they will probably put it on the "console" too and call it a day

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

It's basically the Ally experience, Windows 11 with an "Xbox" app running in full screen.

It has the added "Xbox in a chip" hardware that allow it to actually run 3rd party xbox games, which is what was missing in the Ally. In fact it is a pity that they couldn't fit it in the Ally to begin with.

 

[Astray]

If the UI experience is anything like I've seen from the Xbox Ally X, then expect this to be DOA.

Lots of work needed to even make this a workable concept, let alone something people will actually buy.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Yeah they will probably put it on the "console" too and call it a day

If the BC silicon is detected then it'll also display your old Xbox games.

But yeah it's just a Windows PC as per All.

Connect a keyboard and mouse, hit the Win key and you're in the desktop PC; Office, Steam and all.

 

[Draugoth]

No multiplayer paywall makes it very interesting

 

[DarkShadowXI]

Yep, get your preorders in now for the ROG Strix Xbox G80DK-SB739

 

[Punished Miku]

If the UI experience is anything like I've seen from the Xbox Ally X, then expect this to be DOA.

Lots of work needed to even make this a workable concept, let alone something people will actually buy.

No brainer for me if it works even slightly well. Keep my hundreds of games, and move to PC.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

It has the added "Xbox in a chip" hardware that allow it to actually run 3rd party xbox games, which is what was missing in the Ally. In fact it is a pity that they couldn't fit it in the Ally to begin with.

For BC, yeah.

Series X/S is the end of the line for dedicated Xbox games though, and the Xbox console line.

 

[Holammer]

Been telling ya, it's a PC in Console's clothing.

... if the source is correct.

 

[Radical_3d]

 

[R3TRO]

Meh I just wish they'd make x360 bc for PC. I want to play Blue Dragon again.

 

[memoryman3]

So if PS6 is $800 then there's no reason to get that over this? Hmm…

 

[Robb]

 

[MisterXDTV]

Total units sold: 3 to Jez Corden

 

[ShirAhava]

This is going to be awesome on the hardware side and a complete nightmare on the software/service side

 

[adamsapple]

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-ambitious-new-xbox-your-entire-console-library-the-full-power-of-windows-pc-gaming-and-more

Where the Xbox console will differ from a traditional Windows PC is that it will feel like a traditional Xbox console out of the box. The onboarding experience will be similar to what you get today on console, and if you choose, you can remain fully inside the Xbox ecosystem, never touching Windows itself. Exiting out to Windows will be for those who want to access games traditionally not available on Xbox, including PlayStation games on Steam, mouse and keyboard-first games like League of Legends, or even classic games from GOG and the like.

Native BC library, not cloud streaming:

Furthermore, thanks to new silicon from AMD (already approved all the way up to CFO Amy Hood and CEO Satya Nadella), the new Xbox will also run all games currently available on the Xbox Series X|S library. This means all the OG Xbox back-compatible games, all the Xbox 360 back-compatible games, all the Xbox One back-compatible games, and all the current and future Xbox Series X|S games. These games will run natively on the new Xbox and launch seamlessly via the Xbox launcher's library.

 

[Freelance Yakuza]

Ambitious New Xbox: A PC with emulation for Xbox Series

 

[Radical_3d]

Very timely when I just listened to a 18 minutes straight rant about Windows featuring Battaglia, Leadbetter and Linneman. All known console players.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Hang on, I need to dismiss all the Teams popups on my Xbox console before I can get around to reading your post.

 

[Pagusas]

hmm. could be great if they can get that shader cache API thing working so we finally eliminate shader stutter on PC (acrost all hardware). That would solve the biggest issue in PC gaming. I know they've been working on it for some time, but havnt heard a release date yet for it.

 

[Mr Hyde]

 

[Astray]

No brainer for me if it works even slightly well. Keep my hundreds of games, and move to PC.

I mean "slightly well" is in itself a challenge for them rn lol.

Ally experience has been a disaster from what I've seen. Absolutely rushed to market.

 

[Punished Miku]

I mean "slightly well" is in itself a challenge for them rn lol.

Ally experience has been a disaster from what I've seen. Absolutely rushed to market.

I assume they'll keep updating it. And if it doesn't work that well, you can load any other storefront you prefer and still have the ability to play your BC games on the side.

For anyone on Xbox, it's a giant win. Only real concern is the price. If this is accurate, all the rest is pretty great. PC plus BC.

 

[kaizenkko]

Defense force, activate!

At first, I had some empathy for Jez, but now it's just embarrassing.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

"entire Xbox console library"*

* = via cloud for the low price of $30/month

 

[Tg89]

So it's a shitty prebuild PC then? Probably overpriced since they're not gonna make shit from software sales?

Sounds terrible.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

Just in time when everybody's abandoning W11 for all the bullshitt they pull in favor of Linux. They really think we're all stupid. Like if you're dangling an Xbox themed UI layer over W11, we'll think it somehow isn't W11 anymore and Copilot stopped spying on you.

 

[Ellis]

So, a Sony and Nintendo market it is.

SEGA right now.... "Do we take another punt?"

 

[analog_future]

It's basically the Ally experience, Windows 11 with an "Xbox" app running in full screen.

Right, which is why I'm saying that when this launches a year or two or now, it has to be a WAY better experience.

You can work through some of the quirks with the Ally because it has a touch screen and on-screen keyboard to simulate mouse and keyboard stuff. If this next-gen "console" is supposed to plug into the TV with a controller, it can never, ever have situations where you're stuck needing a keyboard/mouse and you don't have one.

 

[adamsapple]

"entire Xbox console library"*

* = via cloud for the low price of $30/month

Jiz is saying it's native in the article, at least.

What we know: The next-gen Xbox from Microsoft will be a curated Windows gaming PC, complete with your full native console library

the new Xbox will also run all games currently available on the Xbox Series X|S library. This means all the OG Xbox back-compatible games, all the Xbox 360 back-compatible games, all the Xbox One back-compatible games, and all the current and future Xbox Series X|S games. These games will run natively on the new Xbox and launch seamlessly via the Xbox launcher's library.

 

[memoryman3]

So it's a shitty prebuild PC then? Probably overpriced since they're not gonna make shit from software sales?

Sounds terrible.

The leaked specs make it seem like this is top end for a "prebuilt". Plus it will run Xbox console games, which prebuilts cannot do. Microsoft are also going to allow this chip to run in actual prebuilt PCs.

 

[Astray]

Just in time when everybody's abandoning W11 for all the bullshitt they pull in favor of Linux. They really think we're all stupid. Like if you're dangling an Xbox themed UI layer over W11, we'll think it somehow isn't W11 anymore and Copilot stopped spying on you.

I can totally see people putting Linux on there and seeing what they can do with the proprietary Xbox part of the silicon lol.

 

[Fake]

We need a IGN article to confirm this.

 

[SleepDeprived]

So it's a console without the benefits of a console (price, exclusives, physical games) and a PC without the benefits of a PC (raw power, customizability, upgradability). I'm sure the number of people this appeals to is...non-zero, but is there really that much demand for something like this?

But then, what do I know? The value proposition for portables is similarly baffling to me for most use cases, and those seem to be getting popular here.

 

[DenchDeckard]

This sounds like a licensing nightmare. I was under the impression this wasnt possible. You cant just put this CPU in a PC and let it run Series X / XBox games etc. THats why I thought it had to be a console environment. Well. Colour me surprised.

I swear if they somehow have made that work, so that I can buy my next X3D chip with the XBox hardware on it, then that would be SICK!

 

[Throttle]

Sounds good

 

[Radical_3d]

When you get "the full power of Windows PC gaming".

 

[Coloress_Kafka]

Backwards compatibility is a huge win and I'm sure will convince all the people who spent the last two generations purchasing games on PS4/PS5 to rebuy them on Xbox.