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[gokurho]

Summary by ChatGPT
Xbox in 2026 is shaping up to be a massive turning point for the entire platform
The next-gen Xbox is set to run full Windows at full power, not a stripped-down OS
Microsoft's deep partnership with AMD signals serious next-level hardware ambitions
A true console-first, TV-friendly Windows 11 interface is finally happening
Huge upgrades to the Xbox PC app are coming to make this experience seamless
This is all about merging PC freedom with console simplicity in one bold device
Unlike a normal PC, this system will natively run Xbox console games
Backward compatibility remains a core pillar, not an afterthought
Your entire Xbox One and Series X|S library moves forward with you
No lost purchases, no resets, no starting over — just instant continuity
Xbox is clearly pushing toward a more open and developer-friendly platform
GDC 2026 is likely where Microsoft fully lays out this modern publishing vision
Developers already enjoy a better revenue split on Xbox PC, and that mindset is expanding
Bringing that openness to console could massively boost third-party support
Xbox Series X|S stays relevant, giving devs time to transition smoothly
This is a long-term ecosystem play, not a short-term reaction
Xbox is evolving from "just a console" into a full gaming platform
The line between PC and console is about to disappear completely
This strategy feels confident, aggressive, and uniquely Microsoft
If this vision lands, Xbox's next generation could be an absolute game-changer

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-in-2026-what-to-expect-from-team-green-this-year-and-beyond

Xbox in 2026 — What to expect from Team Green this year, and beyond
By Jez Corden published 14 hours ago
It's an interesting, and potentially pivotal year for Xbox in 2026. After a somewhat unprecedented year of negative headlines, Xbox has an opportunity to turn it around this year.

I reported last year that the next Xbox will run full bore Windows, and that is still the plan. In partnership with AMD, the next Xbox will utilize the Windows 11 "Full Screen Experience" with the Xbox PC app to deliver its console interface. Microsoft is working on major updates to the Xbox PC app to accommodate this, bringing it more closely in line with what Xbox console players will expect when engaging with a device on their TV, rather than at their desk.

Where it diverges with a traditional PC is in its ability to actually run games compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Microsoft announced that it's partnering with AMD to enable Xbox games on this PC-like device. Existing Xbox console users' libraries will come forward with them to the new Xbox, as Microsoft continues to commit to backward compatibility in a big way.

I suspect we'll hear more at GDC 2026 about how Xbox plans to modernize its publishing practices to accommodate this new more "open" strategy. Developers shipping on Xbox PC already enjoy a more generous cut of the revenue than they do on console, but Microsoft still has a huge issue getting developers to organically support Xbox PC. Moving the platform to console will help here, but there will at least be a few years where Xbox Series X|S remains the primary development platform for most, I suspect.

 

[onQ123]

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-in-2026-what-to-expect-from-team-green-this-year-and-beyond

Thought we knew this already?

 

[LordCBH]

All for the low, low cost of $1,799.99 with an un-upgradeable 1TB SSD and proprietary storage expansion.

Powered by Copilot.

 

[bitbydeath]

Where it diverges with a traditional PC is in its ability to actually run games compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

That's still a PC.

 

[Chittagong]

That's a… penis PC

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Timing of these things is very sus

 

[RoboCain]

Yeah... I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Magic Carpet]

My Gamepass subscription will be over around the time of GDC.
Hopefully I can just use my current PC. No need to buy something new until an unexpected heavy rain and flood floats my PC away.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

Old news?

 

[Neo_game]

I also think next Xbox games will actually be PC version, same source code. So if you purchase in steam the same version will run on PC, Xbox, windows handheld using steam. If purchased via Xbox app, Epic Store etc ... then obviously have to use the same platform.

 

[DeepEnigma]

 

[Bark]

Someone teach jez what full BC is, cause not even xcloud is "fully" working

 

[Abysse]

Welcome PC 2.

 

[dcx4610]

I've said this should be their move for years. That said, how are they going to do full backwards compatibility? Are they going to sell a disc drive and allow you to pop in your old discs? That, I find almost impossible to believe.

 

[Cert.in.Death]

If so, DOA

 

[FIREKNIGHT2029]

If so, DOA

It was already DOA the moment they announced it. It's an Xbox in the Copilot era for MS.

 

[MayauMiao]

Once again another failure from Microsoft. An Xbox "console" that runs full Windows, an OS that is already disliked by many.

 

[falconhoof]

The next-gen Xbox is set to run full Windows

 

[PlayStaytion]

I like how the headline sounds anti consumer for 2 sec and then turn prosumer infinitely.

 

[ZehDon]

Full Windows 11? Then they better deliver some mind blowing performance enhancements to the core OS, because the reason they made an Xbox in the first place was to get away from Windows, which had (at that time) massive performance costs. Windows has only gotten worse, not better.
No point shipping a $1500 console if it runs like a $1400 PC.

 

[Memati187]

So can I play games on it while watching sfm corn via multiple tabs?

 

[Baemono]

Thought we knew this already?

You didn't know they can turn things around after years of negative headlines by releasing a PC

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

At last, Copilot 360 Box (formerly Xbox)

 

[Coconutt]

So happy I can finally bring in clippy to my game console.

 

[Simpdimples]

if its full windows pc no walled garden bullshit on installs or apps im still interested. i love the X and One X build quality ..

 

[Moses85]

This will be dead on arrival.

It's hard to understand how a global player of this scale could make such consistently poor decisions.


The strategy pursued between 2022 and 2025 may have caused irreparable damage to the Xbox brand.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

People are shitting themselves over the "overpriced" steam machine. MS is selling the Series X (1tb version) for $650 USD...I cannot wait for the complete meltdown when they see the price for the Next PC Box

 

[Baki]

If so, DOA

They've given up on Gamepass and the platform sales. Their new plan is to focus on being a 3rd party publisher on mobile and consoles.

 

[Black_Stride]

PC games and "Console" games on one machine.
Im interested.

Then I remember that pretty much all BC games id want to play are either on PC already or I can easily emulate at this point.
Xenia and Xemu are pretty good these days so...........

As long as these cats keep porting to PC im probably never buying a Playstation or Xbox console ever again.

 

[DavidGzz]

Good. Will make modding a breeze. PC is the best platform by far. The question is, will it play the console version of GTA 6, or is Rockstar saying no to porting to a console/PC?

 

[Sohurmk833]

If this abomination ever releases it will not offer full BC. Zero chance of that happening.

 

[Sebastian1295]

So it's just a pre-built PC but without the actual fun of being able to swap the parts out etc like you can with a real PC. DOA.

 

[Cakeboxer]

That could definitely be interesting. I was actually keen on the Steam Machine, but with full Windows you can obviously do a lot more. For me it will really come down to the price. If the device is heavily subsidized, I'm in. If I can build something similar myself for about the same price, then it's pointless for me.

 

[Baki]

That could definitely be interesting. I was actually keen on the Steam Machine, but with full Windows you can obviously do a lot more. For me it will really come down to the price. If the device is heavily subsidized, I'm in. If I can build something similar myself for about the same price, then it's pointless for me.

It won't be. It's going to cost more than $1200. Might be cheaper than other pre builds though.

 

[epicurius-seven]

IIRC Xbox already uses the Windows kernel for the dash/store, so they just need to install another 20 years of assorted dlls to bring the full glory of the Windows Settings screens ecosystem to the lounge room.

 

[Mownoc]

Why would you want backwards compatibility with Xbox on a device that will play pc games?

Yeah you can play the crappy XBO version of tomb raider, or pay $2 for a steam key and play it with max settings at any resolution and FPS you want.

Playing XBO versions of PC games on a $1000+ device not using any of that power makes zero sense, and as far as I can tell Xbox BC is the only feature that sets it apart from any other PC.

 

[bitbydeath]

Why would you want backwards compatibility with Xbox on a device that will play pc games?

Yeah you can play the crappy XBO version of tomb raider, or pay $2 for a steam key and play it with max settings at any resolution and FPS you want.

Playing XBO versions of PC games on a $1000+ device not using any of that power makes zero sense, and as far as I can tell Xbox BC is the only feature that sets it apart from any other PC.

It's to preserve Xbox libraries, so those who already bought can continue to play.

 

[Mownoc]

It's to preserve Xbox libraries, so those who already bought can continue to play.

Sure, but if you're going to do a 20+ hour playthrough of a game, are you really not going to buy a cheap AF steam key to run it maxed 4k/60 instead of the crappy XBO version you already own?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Hopefully someone will hack the Xbox emulator MS uses in the first 5 minutes and releases it freely so people who already have PC's can use it without having to buy another $2,000 MS Copilot+ AI PC with a strapped on Xbox launcher screen

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

As i mentioned back when it was first leaked, the PC Nextbox is basically what Bill Gates wanted when he created the Xbox division. However the team realized the games would run badly on it compared to the rival consoles, so they ripped all the Windows bits out that they didn't need. Bill Gates was MAD that they went against his orders.

Decades later, it came full circle and Xbox is becoming what Bill Gates originally asked for. The question is, was Bill Gates right the first time, or were the original team right?

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Good. Will make modding a breeze. PC is the best platform by far. The question is, will it play the console version of GTA 6, or is Rockstar saying no to porting to a console/PC?

It would play the Xbox Series version via BC until the PC version comes out, then you will have a choice of both.

 

[DenchDeckard]

This sounds too good to be true for MS to pull off.

You have my interest though!

 

[PropellerEar]

Pure Microslop

 

[realcool]

Their backwards compatibility is so good it turned Xbox into Gateway 2000.

 

[evolve]

This sounds too good to be true for MS to pull off.

You have my interest though!

It actually sounds fuckin awful

 

[ZehDon]

Why would you want backwards compatibility with Xbox on a device that will play pc games?

Yeah you can play the crappy XBO version of tomb raider, or pay $2 for a steam key and play it with max settings at any resolution and FPS you want.

Playing XBO versions of PC games on a $1000+ device not using any of that power makes zero sense, and as far as I can tell Xbox BC is the only feature that sets it apart from any other PC.

This is the off ramp for their console customers as they work to consolidate their gaming interests back into windows.
Xbox is now too big a publisher to limit their sales to one platform, but it's also too big to not have Microsoft's executives in charge - and they'll demand synergy with the rest of Microsoft. Why have a console OS when we have Windows? Why have a console store when we have the Windows store? Why design unique console hardware when we have hardware partners?
This device is the end of Xbox as a platform, and the beginning of Games for Windows Live 2.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

Opinion Rumor Platform  Thread 'WindowsCentral: Xbox in 2026 — What to expect from Team Green this year, and beyond'

Wednesday at 3:10 PM

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-in-2026-what-to-expect-from-team-green-this-year-and-beyond

• 2026's first-party lineup is anchored by the "four horsemen" franchises: Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Forza Horizon 6, with showcases expected at Xbox Developer_Direct and the summer Xbox Showcase.
• Fallout is positioned as a major growth franchise, bolstered by TV success, with Fallout 3 Remake, Fallout: New Vegas remaster, and Fallout 5 confirmed or rumored.
• Obsidian Entertainment is working on multiple new projects, with Tim Cain...

• IbizaPocholo
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Gaming Discussion

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[Mownoc]

This sounds too good to be true for MS to pull off.

You have my interest though!

It's just a PC that plays old xbox games that you could run the superior pc version of anyway because it's a PC.

The people willing to buy a $1000+ machine aren't going to run an XBO game with low settings, resolution and FPS when they can get a steam key of it for $5 or less.

The only thing that sets it apart from other PCs seems mostly pointless to me.

 

[winjer]

And don't forget about Microslop's Copilot and vibe coding.

 

[Laptop1991]

So full Windows 11, does that mean it will run GOG, Steam, Epic etc, which means its a PC with The PC Xbox app and Windows store for PC versions of Xbox games that most PC gamers don't use, how is that an Xbox at all, or will MS have control limits and walls inside it ?.