Following weeks of speculation of Microsoft’s Xbox hardware and platform future, Xbox President, Sarah Bond has re-confirmed that a Series X/S successor is in development.
With Windows at the forefront of Microsoft Gaming’s plans, alongside the This is an Xbox campaign which advertises any device as a console, Xbox players had feared that the Series generation would be the last piece of Xbox plastic under their televisions.
Fueled by an increase in Series X/S prices, the second in a year; followed by a 50% rise to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate monthly cost just a week later, many had speculated that the end of Xbox as we know it was nigh. The platform has continued to struggle to gain market share from PlayStation and Nintendo despite it’s subscription service and now attractive array of first-party games – most of which now come to competitor platforms.
Sarah Bond interview
In a new interview with Variety, Bond was asked about the future of Xbox in the hardware space following a sell out launch of the ROG Xbox Ally X, a piece of hardware built in partnership with a third-party. Calling console gamers ‘power players’, she aimed to indirectly shoot down the hardware ending rumours:
“We want to make sure that people have a choice,” said Bond. Adding: “We want to make sure there’s an option for the power players who want the latest innovations, that want to push the edge of what’s possible, the most demanding players. And then, if someone is looking for PC gaming on the go, they’re a casual gamer, they’re a gaming enthusiast, then there’s Xbox Allys for them. Giving multiple choices for people, so we can actually meet people where they are.”
As well as the follow up to the Series X/S consoles, Bond’s interview doesn’t rule out the possibility of Microsoft made hardware, saying “We are 100% looking at making things in the future”. What that could become would likely be a long time away, given the ROG family of Xbox handhelds only recently launched.
Through their partnership with AMD, it sounds like there’ll be plenty more Xbox hardware to come in the future.
Xbox gamers will be able to breathe a sigh of relief that the future of the platform remains for now. With a high-quality lineup for 2026 with Forza Horizon 6, Fable and Gears of War E-Day; as well as Halo news expected this weekend at the World Championships, there is plenty to be excited for – even if it’s going to cost a lot more.
Are you pleased to hear that Xbox remains committed to the console business? What do you think the next-gen hardware suite looks like? Let us know in the comments below and stick with GSC for all your Xbox news.
