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[Windows Central] EXCLUSIVE: New details on Xbox's next-gen console(s) — and Microsoft's most ambitious gaming plans ever

They are not getting any other money

This is just a plot to hide the fact they are leaving the hardware console business

But people with a normal, working brain will just laugh at them
Hardware, yes eventually.
Subscriptions, nope.

And I don't see how they can keep pulling in people to Gamepass when Steam is on the UI without a popular storefront of their own and without exclusives.

I guess there is the possibility that the Xbox and Microsoft Store businesses are so small now that they don't see it as a big deal if it all goes poof. But I doubt it.
 
Not remotely defensive, just correcting what was incorrect

~20 out of the 100 posts in this topic, that boy ain't here to listen.

prometheus-david8.gif
 
I bet nobody can explain a difference between "xbox" vs any other prebuilt PC. Is it a predownloaded full screen experience? lol
It ties nicely though with those recent rumours about gamepass PC getting a price hike. Basically xbox as a console brand is gone - which we knew already - and yet they think they can create sort of sub-market in the PC space. Dumb.
 
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You're giving Microsoft too much credit. They have never risen to the top of a market unless by use of strongly anticompetitive practices and had they not been challenged by the government in the late '90s over things they were doing to cockblock Windows '95-era software developers (withholding API tools and giving 3P worst-running code as just two examples), then yeah we'd probably have a market today where MS had the biggest PC storefront for gaming, but it would not have been earned whatsoever.

They'd of just starved companies like Valve out through EEE and delaying providence of competitive API packages to them to give their own in-house products the advantage, and that would still not have stopped the declines in Windows as an OS we have seen over the past decade. Also I highly doubt Magnus will have any impact on Valve's hardware plans or stopping the shift in certain segment from turning towards Windows alternatives (whether exclusively or as alternative OSes for specific uses), and it's odd claiming what MS are doing with Magnus as reacting to a "small seed".

Like Steam, GOG, EGS etc. have been around for 1-2 decades, and console-exclusive/console-centric devs were already shifting to support platforms like Steam more heavily by the middle of last generation. MS typically don't push into a new segment until it's already clearly established and just rely on their capital to try outspending who's already there (or acquire them). It's been that way since the early '90s.
I didn't know how to use the multi-quote function, but I agree with you here. As I mentioned in my latest comment, Microsoft controlling the Windows OS layer can absolutely become a nightmare scenario for Valve and the whole Steam ecosystem. And honestly, I wouldn't put it past them to use some shady or subtle tactics to give their upcoming PC storefront an edge — it's much easier for them to do that on Windows than it is to fight Sony head-to-head in the console space.

In the end, though, this feels like the logical evolution for Xbox. It's a direction they should have moved toward far earlier, and Magnus might finally be the step that shifts their strategy into a place where their strengths actually matter.
 
There will be devkits, the leaked slides even give a rough timeframe when those will come out

No idea just going by the leaked slides that devkits will go out

I just know I heard very key people refer to Xbox PC and Xbox console as separate entities

YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!

Sorry. I didn't mean that.

It's just... I haven't had an argument on here for a while. I saw you having a back and forth with a Neo Member and I got jealous. 😢
 
Surely not as ambitious as THE CLOUD and rendering destruction in THE CLOUD so heavy compute can be offloaded to THE CLOUD so games will look and perform a million times better thanks to the power of THE CLOUD?
 
And I don't see how they can keep pulling in people to Gamepass when Steam is on the UI without a popular storefront of their own and without exclusives.

And you are 100% right, they are toasted as a first party....

No way around it

They are just a very big third-party publisher now
 
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My point is that Magnus can serve as Microsoft's first real step toward pulling their Xbox userbase into their own storefront — giving them an instant base of at least 10 million users. From there, they could gradually expand that audience and use their deep PC and Windows integration to directly counter both the Steam ecosystem and the Epic Games Store.
The storefront is already the same on Windows and Xbox. And the userbase and account is the same; achievements, playtime, etc. So I don't see the transition and no walls approach change in their favor, 10 million users will most likely just find out how good Steam is when it's there on the UI.

I guess they could push ads for Gamepass on the UI. I "never" buy a game on Steam that I already have on Gamepass.
 
The storefront is already the same on Windows and Xbox. And the userbase and account is the same; achievements, playtime, etc. So I don't see the transition and no walls approach change in their favor, 10 million users will most likely just find out how good Steam is when it's there on the UI.

Pointing Up Morgan Freeman GIF by MOODMAN


And that's assuming most of those 10M people are like Adam

Otherwise most will make the jump to Playstation
 
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I know what you are getting at but a PC also doesn't play Xbox titles natively.
This won't either.
Since it's running off Windows, the BC games will require software emulation in order to boot, likely running out of a VM.

Yes, there is hardware involved but software emulation is still needed to get around Windows.
 
The only takeaway I got was that their next platform is 1-2 years away and I've not seen a single indicator that this won't continue the terminal decline of XBOX.
 
This won't either.
Since it's running off Windows, the BC games will require software emulation in order to boot, likely running out of a VM.

Yes, there is hardware involved but software emulation is still needed to get around Windows.
This isn't true at all, if they boot into a VM running Xbox OS, with the full Xbox APIs and the chipset is fully hardware BC compatible with Series consoles, then no emulation would be involved.

That's kind of what is being promised here, as anything emulation based does not really work across the board for every game.
 
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Its minimum 2 years away now, surely. Interested to see more but there's plenty of games to enjoy until then.
But these next two years will be crucial in clarifying Microsoft's strategy with the Next Xbox. In fact, everything suggests that much will be revealed this year, although certainly not the most important information for me...

When I see how the games run on it, the catalog you can access, the conditions for accessing that catalog, the gameplay experience and features, and the price... then it will be time to evaluate the proposal for me... I certainly won't base my judgment on whether or not the proposal deserves to be labeled "console or PC."
 
This isn't true at all, if they boot into a VM running Xbox OS, with the full Xbox APIs and the chipset is fully hardware BC compatible with Series consoles, then no emulation would be involved.

That's kind of what is being promised here, as anything emulation based does not really work across the board for every game.
Hardware is just hardware, it doesn't tell the software what to do. Software emulation is required to tell how the game interacts with the hardware. Keep in mind we're talking about them using completely different SKU's here.

That doesn't switch on a dime based on the hardware used.
 
Hardware is just hardware, it doesn't tell the software what to do. Software emulation is required to tell how the game interacts with the hardware. Keep in mind we're talking about them using completely different SKU's here.

That doesn't switch on a dime based on the hardware used.
You are just flat out wrong here.
 
That is how it works though, you can't just boot and expect hardware to know what to do. Just like you can't run an .exe file on a Mac.

You can boot a PS5 and play PS4 games after a system update (at most), same for Series consoles. Hell, same for PS2 playing PS1 games.

Absolutely nothing so far has made it seem like what you're describing.
 
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2027 ps6 and this pc will release.

covid didnt hinder them this wont neither , and covid was much much worse and 2027 is 7 years as usual since many generations. They just want you to buy the previous thing now, for obvious reasons.
 
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My point is that Magnus can serve as Microsoft's first real step toward pulling their Xbox userbase into their own storefront — giving them an instant base of at least 10 million users. From there, they could gradually expand that audience and use their deep PC and Windows integration to directly counter both the Steam ecosystem and the Epic Games Store.

Microsoft isn't just launching hardware; they're positioning themselves to reshape the PC market in a way only they can. With control over Windows, OS-level optimization advantages, and a huge pre-existing ecosystem, Magnus could become the foundation for a long-term storefront strategy that yields major returns.

And honestly, I wouldn't put it past them to use some very "creative" or cunning practices to undermine the competition — something far easier for them when they control the entire Windows operating system layer.

This won't disrupt the market overnight, but over a decade, it could evolve into a serious challenge to today's dominant platforms. Ignoring this would be a mistake.
Exactly this. They can't compete in the console market, but they have the Windows users. All they have to do is find a way to convince people to use their store and ecosystem.

Of course, for that, they have to offer more. My bet is that MS will make Windows have a proper console mode that turns off all the shit no one needs and gives most resources to the game. They'll then be able to offer native integration with the OS through their store, and I bet they'll push hard to monetize there. This will end up being a double win that will cut the cost (Xbox will become focused on software only, and tied to Windows) while giving them access to a massive user base.

It's going to be a gamble, but it has potential.
 
He says best case scenario is late 2027, so could end up being 2028. Probably a pivot that they did mid this gen from the traditional console.

And people thought this was coming in 2026.
 
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Xbox with Windows updates 🤮
Series x already does that just yesterday i wanted to make an update to the store, wanted well needed i guess and it just didnt start or the mdeai player for bluray it took half an hour for afew mbs thats ridicolous at least its very rare. and we all know the ms store on pc is the worst store there is. W11 is the buggiest windows since a long time. its insane how many updates did mess something up. i mean we had this one just recently as the January 2026 KB5074109 patch, which caused "unmountable boot volume" errors. :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
You can boot a PS5 and play PS4 games after a system update (at most), same for Series consoles. Hell, same for PS2 playing PS1 games.

Absolutely nothing so far has made it seem like what you're describing.
They run on the same code base/SKU.
It's different when we're talking consoles/mac/linux/windows
 
How much does equivalent hardware cost?
Right now? a lot but it will not be priced as a console. get that out of your head this thing will make the ps5 pro look quite cheap in comparison but its also more than double as fast. steam machine the same story it will be expensive because its a pc. consoles are good another year maybe 2 til they get to feel the shortage. Ps6 and magnus are ready to go 2027.

the ai bubble is a joke in comparison to covid or even the hard mining years and its already starting to burst.
 
Wait, here are members who thinks that next Xbox isn't a PC, but a pure console? Really?
Microsoft has been trying to redefine what a console is but yes, so far, there will be a console that has the ability to load other apps. It would be no different than Sony deciding to let the Steam store on PlayStation. The reality is, none of us know exactly what they will end up doing and how this is going to playout. Personally, I wish they would simplify things and get in a lane. If they want to maintain a hardware presence with OEMs then do it. If they want to have a Microsoft manufactured console, then do that. If they want to just say f-it and go full third-party, then do it. Trying to play all sides of the market is just going to create more confusion and instability for the Xbox brand.
 
okay lets make a point what is a console?

It's not complicated. It's hardware in a closed ecosystem, with exclusives designed to draw people into that closed ecosystem so the company makes 30% on everything the person buys. Usually the hardware sits under the TV but sometimes in the hand.

I see people trying to redefine the term "console" in very specific ways, so as encompass MS's new machine. That seems like an elaborate attempt to justify use of the word "console." I'm not sure why they feel the need to do that. It's not like being a "console" is some badge of honor. Just call it a hybrid and be done with it.

To me, it seems it will be a console that could be "jailbreaked" to run Windows with full functionalities...

As I understand it, no "jailbreaking" will be required. You can just boot into full, normal Windows 11 if you like.

I'll be interested to see stats, if any ever become available, on how many people do take the trouble to exit the stripped down Win version that it will boot into as a default, launch full Windows 11, then access Steam, Epic, etc. to buy games.
 
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Wait, here are members who thinks that next Xbox isn't a PC, but a pure console? Really?
Who thinks that? In any case, in terms of hardware, it has the same console as a Series X or PS5 (custom APU based on x64 and RDNA with unified memory). The difference will be in the software, possibly a customized version of Windows with the Microsoft store (I really doubt they will enable the launch of .exe executables or desktop mode) and with Steam and Epic apps. And a sandbox for backward compatibility of xvc applications for Series/One games, which already used a Windows kernel.
 
It's not complicated. It's a closed ecosystem, with exclusives designed to draw people into that closed ecosystem so the company makes 30% on everything the person buys. Usually it sits under the TV but sometimes in the hand.

I see people trying to redefine the term "console" in very specific ways, so as encompass MS's new machine. That seems like an elaborate attempt to justify use of the word "console." I'm not sure why they feel the need to do that. It's not like being a "console" is some badge of honor. Just call it a hybrid and be done with it.



As I understand it, no "jailbreaking" will be required. You can just boot into full, normal Windows 11 if you like.

I'll be interested to see stats, if any ever become available, on how many people do take the trouble to exit the stripped down Win version that it will boot into as a default, launch full Windows 11, then access Steam, Epic, etc. to buy games.
it was obviously a rhetoric question. no i dont call it a hybrid because its a windows 11 pc.
 
Who thinks that? In any case, in terms of hardware, it has the same console as a Series X or PS5 (custom APU based on x64 and RDNA with unified memory). The difference will be in the software, possibly a customized version of Windows with the Microsoft store (I really doubt they will enable the launch of .exe executables or desktop mode) and with Steam and Epic apps. And a sandbox for backward compatibility of xvc applications for Series/One games, which already used a Windows kernel.

Who thinks that? Em... You? I think you need to re-read thread again from beginning. Hardware excuse is bullshit. XSX and PS5 can't have Epic, GOG, Steam and other stores and PC apps. This next Xbox will have the ability to install these PC apps, which PC is for. So, yes, next Xbox is a PC, and with Windows 11. So, expect errors like on Xbox Rog Ally which is guess what....a handheld PC
 
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Who thinks that? Em... You? I think you need to re-read thread again from beginning. Hardware excuse is bullshit. XSX and PS5 can't have Epic, GOG, Steam and other stores and PC apps. This next Xbox will have the ability to install these PC apps, which PC is for. So, yes, next Xbox is a PC, and with Windows 11. So, expect errors like on Xbox Rog Ally which is guess what....a handheld PC
There is no technical reason for not allowing 3rd-party stores on consoles, it's purely a business decision.
 
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