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[gokurho]

"We’re building plans for the 25th anniversary of Halo and Xbox," Microsoft confirms in a new interview. "We have such a rich heritage, you have to celebrate that."

A big Microsoft milestone is coming up for its gaming division.

www.windowscentral.com

Instead, it seems Xbox is full-steam ahead with its next set of console hardware, which we tentatively believe based on our sources to include at least both a traditional-style successor to the Xbox Series X, and Microsoft's first real foray into Xbox handheld gaming with its own take on the Steam Deck.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

"things change, shit happens, time is linear"

im good dawg

 

[Darsxx82]

Interesting that NOV 2026 is the 25th anniversary of Xbox and Halo. If there is a date for something to happen, that could be it.

Then, go back to betting on the traditional console when you are giving the idea that it will not have exclusives...... Either something changes in that regard to the exclusives or it doesn't make sense.

Many unknowns to be resolved in order to give an informed opinion.

 

[SJRB]

This turd again.

 

[adamsapple]

He's just saying things already widely rumored by other sources.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Done with them with consoles.

I would like to see what the surface team could come up with for a portable gaming device.

 

[Gaiff]

Why is Microsoft always so fucking late to the party? You'd think with how much money they have, they could afford to hire creative people and visionaries, but instead, they're always three steps behind everyone else.

 

[Edgelord79]

Imo they need to take a chance on something different at this point or be prepared to have their consoles die to irrelevancy. A handheld while not unique, may be a more enticing proposition at this point.

But even this isn’t immune to the Microsoft touch of failure that seems to infest whatever they come in contact with. I don’t know anymore. I would love for them to prove me wrong. It’s depressing.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

The handheld could be something I'm interested in. I've got a Steam Deck but I could dive in on this if it's backwards compatible and I can play my old games on it.

 

[ByWatterson]

 

[StreetsofBeige]

$1,000!

 

[adamsapple]

$1,000!

If it's also a PC that can play steam etc.

 

[SweetTooth]

Nintendo:

 

[Hookshot]

I'm sure Nintendo said they weren't discussing the original Switch because other companies could copy it, before it's rather swift announcement and release. It seemed far fetched back then but now with the popularity of Handheld PC's I believe the others will want a piece of the pie.

 

[Mr.Phoenix]

Why is Microsoft always so fucking late to the party? You'd think with how much money they have, they could afford to hire creative people and visionaries, but instead, they're always three steps behind everyone else.

A big ship is hard to steer.

 

[Parazels]

I don't understand how they are going to release next generation games on the relatively weak portable hardware and home console. It's going to be even worse than Series S + X!

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

The handheld could be something I'm interested in. I've got a Steam Deck but I could dive in on this if it's backwards compatible and I can play my old games on it.

Same.

 

[Moridianae]

Nintendo:

Honestly, I don't think Nintendo gives a flying fuck. They don't seem to have viewed either one of them as competition since the Wii days, if that.

They just go their own way and are successful with it.

 

[twilo99]

“Traditional” console sounds so boring

 

[HogIsland]

Is it a steam deck (i.e. PC) competitor, or a portable Xbox?

 

[GoldenEye98]

Not sure how they stand out unless they pick at areas where others are worse (pricing, ergonomics)

Maybe they build a $299-$350 device that can emulate the Series S close enough? More traditional controller ergonomics a la PS Portal?

I'd probably consider buying something like that.

 

[Little Chicken]

Why is Microsoft always so fucking late to the party? You'd think with how much money they have, they could afford to hire creative people and visionaries, but instead, they're always three steps behind everyone else.

Because they want a handheld? In which case Valve were 30+ years "late to the party", as well.

Microsoft innovate in the console space far more than Sony, look how many Xbox 360 legacy features the PS5 has!

 

[Kacho]

Is it a steam deck (i.e. PC) competitor, or a portable Xbox?

Both from what I understand.

 

[HogIsland]

Both from what I understand.

If it's really a PC (unlocked to other oses), I'm interested!

 

[Topher]

"traditional-style successor to the Xbox Series X"

 

[VAVA Mk2]

Interesting that NOV 2026 is the 25th anniversary of Xbox and Halo. If there is a date for something to happen, that could be it.

Then, go back to betting on the traditional console when you are giving the idea that it will not have exclusives...... Either something changes in that regard to the exclusives or it doesn't make sense.

Many unknowns to be resolved in order to give an informed opinion.

If they are going to have a Halo game launch with a new consoles (and actually do it this time), I predict them teasing Halo CE remake or Halo 7 sometime within a year.

 

[AJUMP23]

Release a good halo game everyone will come along.

 

[VolticArchangel]

HeisenbergFX4 accuracy of this vs the release window via your sources?

Still next year or 26?

 

[BennyBlanco]

If it’s a handheld PC that can also natively play all that Xbox BC I might be in. I have a Ninja Gaiden Black sized hole in my heart and I don’t wanna a Series console.

 

[Crayon]

I'll believe a handheld but I don't think it can be a traditional console.

 

[Topher]

If it’s a handheld PC that can also natively play all that Xbox BC I might be in. I have a Ninja Gaiden Black sized hole in my heart and I don’t wanna a Series console.

Same. And I don't understand why they would keep trying what obviously doesn't work. Think Jez has it wrong......again.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

As long as they keep running the division as they are, I’ll hold off. Had enough after this generation.
Can’t listen to any of their execs or social media shills anymore, it’s too jarring.


All that money and potential just wasted for what should be an excellent platform.

 

[Physiognomonics]

We all expected this. The new script fresh from MS marketing department is there. PS5 Pro has been announced, they must announce something to tell their customers to be patient and wait 2 others years.

Sources: their boss Phil Spencer

 

[Pop]

It will be a hybrid PC. That is not a traditional console

Handheld might be cool

 

[peter42O]

Microsoft will have a single traditional console and a portable handheld. Fall 2026. $800 for the console and $500 for the portable is my guess. Gears of War: E-Day, Perfect Dark and COD 2026 as the launch titles. Could see Halo 7 as well or it being early 2027.

 

[Woopah]

Honestly, I don't think Nintendo gives a flying fuck. They don't seem to have viewed either one of them as competition since the Wii days, if that.

They just go their own way and are successful with it.

They definitely view them as competition, because we know exclusivity is important to them (first party and third party).

 

[Taycan77]

So many in the games industry, particularly those in the US, can't comprehend retailers in the UK/EU have already given up on Xbox. It's like the dying days of Atari, Commodore, 3DO, Sega. There's no coming back from a position like that.

Retailer and consumer confidence has been lost. Anyone investing in an 'Xbox' ecosystem will now divert to PlayStation and/or Steam, where they can get everything Microsoft offers. Badge engineering a PC/handheld will always be an option for Microsoft, but we have to be realistic, and admit their days as a major player in the console hardware market are long gone.

 

[jm89]

As always jez has an article ready to go whenever there is ps6 rumors. He did the same thing when ps5 pro rumors were out.

 

[Bitstream]

depending on what sort of hardware spec and price point we're talking about, I could be interested. Let's see some sort of 1200 console with absurd specs and access to steam, GOG, and epic store; that new gears of war would look quite nice in 4K60

 

[wolffy66]

Imo they need to take a chance on something different at this point or be prepared to have their consoles die to irrelevancy. A handheld while not unique, may be a more enticing proposition at this point.

But even this isn’t immune to the Microsoft touch of failure that seems to infest whatever they come in contact with. I don’t know anymore. I would love for them to prove me wrong. It’s depressing.

The idea that one of most successful companies in the history of the world kills everything it touches just seems weird to me. Playstation and Nintendo are obviously super successful but that doesn't equal "everything it touches dies". Id describe Xbox as just ok or average biz wise but not an unsuccessful product.

 

[lughnasadh123]

Sony runs the traditional console space.

Nintendo rules the family friendly and Japan focused hybrid portable.

Having a pc/console that natively, seamlessly, easily plays a persons Xbox console library, those of other launchers, and gameplas straight out of the box with a streamlined OS could have huge potential. Xbox could finally find a lane to dominate going forward.

 

[Quasicat]

With all of the talk of AI making the next generation the biggest leap ever, I’m hoping that I can plug the handheld Xbox into my TV like the Switch and Steam Deck and it will look on par with the Series S.

 

[Stuart360]

I think if MS could release a powerful handheld that somehow could run Steam as well as Xbox, they would be on to a winner. I doubt that could happen though as Valve will surely be releasing updated Steam Decks over time.

As for the traditional console, i'd just make a super powerful enthusiast console for like $800+ and market it for the enthusiasts. Sell 10-20mil over the gen. Continue releasing games on PC and Playstation (later releases). And release cutdown next gen games on the XSX through next gen, have the XSX kind of as that gens XSS.

 

[Jesb]

I think this is the direction for PS6 as well.

 

[Mattyp]

I think if MS could release a powerful handheld that somehow could run Steam as well as Xbox, they would be on to a winner. I doubt that could happen though as Valve will surely be releasing updated Steam Decks over time.

I don’t see Microsoft being opposed to launching a device out of the box with steam and xbox environment, having the surface team and owning Windows they’re obviously in the best position to do this.

Do you release an absolute beast but or something on the cheaper scale handheld wise?

 

[MikeM]

Why is Microsoft always so fucking late to the party? You'd think with how much money they have, they could afford to hire creative people and visionaries, but instead, they're always three steps behind everyone else.

Thats what happens when you only think quarter to quarter and not long term.

 

[Stuart360]

I don’t see Microsoft being opposed to launching a device out of the box with steam and xbox environment, having the surface team and owning Windows they’re obviously in the best position to do this.

Do you release an absolute beast but or something on the cheaper scale handheld wise?

Well if they could get Steam onto the handheld, go super powerful (by handheld standards). PC users will pay big for something desirable to them.

 

[GMAK2442]

Material solution to software problem.

 

[FireFly]

Why is Microsoft always so fucking late to the party? You'd think with how much money they have, they could afford to hire creative people and visionaries, but instead, they're always three steps behind everyone else.

If they're targeting Series S performance in a handheld, they probably need 2nm or at least TSMC N3P.

 

[GoldenEye98]

If they're targeting Series S performance in a handheld, they probably need 2nm or at least TSMC N3P.

It probably wouldn't be feasible for another couple of years.