There are many – myself included – that would argue that this console generation hasn’t ever really got going. Games ‘held back’ by previous generation hardware, such as Call of Duty which still continues to launch on over twelve year Xbox One and PlayStation 4s; players continuing to return to stick with last generation live-service games like Fortnite and Rocket League; and spiraling production costs have made this generation feel the smallest generational leap in console history.
However, the big platforms are always looking forward to develop new consoles that will push their games and the medium forward. The most recent console to enter the market, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest selling Nintendo console of all time. Meanwhile, Xbox have been recording woeful decline in hardware sales for consecutive years, which is largely attributable to the direction Microsoft has taken the platform.
Revealed at the 2019 Game Awards, followed by a late-2020 mid-pandemic release, the Xbox Series generation has seemingly underperformed for Microsoft. Trailing far behind PlayStation 5’s sell through has led them to make their games multiplatform, in a bid to recoup money on the eye watering acquisitions of Activision and Bethesda. Unfortunately, many games have underdelivered on sales expectations despite being on multiple consoles.
Many have wondered whether Xbox would now ‘do a SEGA’, pivoting to being a game developer for competitor hardware including PlayStation and Switch 2. As Xbox’s ecosystem has become heavily integrated with PC, and with the explosion of development costs including the notorious global RAM prices, you wouldn’t be wrong thinking Microsoft don’t want to make any more home consoles.
Despite this, Xbox have consistently said they would be developing new consoles and last year released the ROG Xbox Ally and pricey ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds. They too have doubled down on their intention to deliver new living room hardware for the most dedicated Xbox fans, with AMD chips.
Nor Phil Spencer or Sarah Bond have offered tentative launch windows for a new home consoles, however AMD’s CEO, Lisa Su has now stated that they’re working with Xbox to deliver silicon on chip (SoC) for a 2027 release. In a statement, Su said: “From a product standpoint, Valve is on-track to begin shipping its AMD-powered Steam Machine early this year, and development of Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox featuring an AMD semi-custom SoC is progressing well to support a launch in 2027.”
Whilst this comment doesn’t come directly from Microsoft, given they’re a production partner it can be taken seriously. With Xbox’s 25th anniversary taking place later this year, it might be the perfect time for them to announce a brand-new console. Whether that will release in 2027, we will have to wait and see – I’m sure production costs will have a say on the matter.
Do you think that the new Xbox will launch in 2027? Are you ready for a new console, or is this coming too soon for you? Comment below or come and join the friendly and active Gamer Social Club Discord to chat about all your favourite Xbox games.
