110°

Microsoft applies for scalable console patent

A recent patent filing suggests that Microsoft's next console is based on the idea that it can be scaled up - or down - over time, leading to speculation that the current notion of a console lifecycle could be replaced with rolling hardware upgrades.

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eurogamer.net
majiebeast4738d ago

So it would become a pc but with a lot less freedom and functionality.

ArmrdChaos4738d ago (Edited 4738d ago )

Basically a PC without the driver headaches.

creatchee4738d ago

If I wanted to game on a PC, I'd buy a gaming PC. We all know how the Sega 32X turned out.

JBSleek4738d ago

I'm not understanding your comment as this doesn't mean this is a PC.

What I got from the article is multiple CPU and GPU that each will be used for certain purposes of the system. They are giving themselves options.

Anon19744738d ago

I agree with creatchee. The whole point of consoles is so developers and consumers don't have to worry about the hassle of different hardware setups. We already saw confusion this gen when people would buy a 360 Arcade, only to find they couldn't go online or couldn't play certain games, buy DLC without a costly upgrade.

I really think cloud gaming is the answer - although not for some time. Game consoles will become like your cable box breaking the cycle of long, expensive hardware development and risk associated with it. Instead the companies can upgrade through their own servers and systems as technology advances, and simply charge a subscription fee to access their particular network. Then we'll see competition through various network offerings/games available. We're already seeing Microsoft move towards subscription based services, and Sony's experiment with premium content via PSN+ seems to be going well.

Think about it. Piracy, gone. Distribution, not an issue. Packaging, not an issue. Steady revenue streams through predictable subscriptions. Costly hardware cycles, gone. And gamers can switch games like they switch channels, offering more variety than ever before. I know some argue "But I need a physical copy," yet the same thing is never said about watching TV shows, or renting movies, or of music downloads, or digital movie rentals. I'm sure they will still offer physical downloads because there's a market for it, but I don't think that'll stop this evolution.

This isn't going to happen this gen or next, but after that I think all bets are off and I'm looking forward to it.

dcbronco4738d ago

Actually if you look at the whole document it kinda sounds like they may allow OEMs to make their own versions. It kinda sounds like they want to install Xbox directly into other devices. Not just streaming to other devices.

jerethdagryphon4733d ago

ive seen the file its referencing the idea that its streamable and xbox 720 functionality will be 'beamable' to other screens

spec wise its gonna be intersting it liss 4gb and a crapton of arm cores

oh and kinect 2 is going to be majorly involved in it :(

Telepot4738d ago

It has it's ups and downs. You would buy it because it's cheaper than a gaming pc, but then you have to pay for live and some games may need hardware upgrades.

Fyflin4738d ago

This makes sense. Xbox Live is a platform, the current 360 is merely a way to access content. Look at how iPhones/iPads currently work.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see upgraded hardware every couple of years. Not massive overhauls, but bigger HDDs, faster processors, more memory etc. All games will be compatible with all hardware to begin with, but eventually we will see different display settings, as seen in Pcs, to suit whatever hardware you have.

Sounds very much like a PC to me, personally.

kneon4738d ago

I've been saying for a while that there is no reason that the next gen consoles couldn't be PCs. PC components are now cheap enough that you could make a reasonably priced console from PC parts.

Microsoft can sell their XBox branded, living room friendly version or you can run the games on any windows 8 PC.

hellvaguy4738d ago

A console cant nor shouldnt be a gaming PC. I dont want the headache of dealing with viruses, spam, pop-ups, hacks, cheaters, and incompatible hardware.

kneon4737d ago (Edited 4737d ago )

The console version wouldn't have such problem as it would be a fixed set of components. From the users perspective it would still be a console, it's just that the internals use PC components. If hardware upgrades would be allowed it would support only a small set of vendor approved upgrades so incompatibility wouldn't be a problem.

As for viruses that is also easy to resolve, the OS would be locked down and not allow installation of software that isn't authorized by the console vendor.

A console isn't defined by the kind of hardware that goes inside.

Show all comments (22)
180°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

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twistedvoxel.com
11h ago
lukasmain7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

6h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer6h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif4h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

3h ago
Obscure_Observer1h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

Hereandthere4h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

4h ago
Lightning774h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot3h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer881h ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer1h ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

Show all comments (18)
240°

‘I think Xbox hardware is dead’, says Microsoft gaming veteran

One of the founding members of the Xbox team has questioned Microsoft’s multiplatform gaming strategy, and said they believe the Xbox hardware business is effectively “dead"

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videogameschronicle.com
2d ago Replies(3)
Goodguy012d ago

Think that rumor that they'll still make a new console but at a profit at $1000 will be true though. The series consoles will remain their cheap alternative throughout next gen I would say. Keep in mind that game pass and pretty much going 3rd party is their main focus. They want to bring xbox everywhere.

2d ago
GamerRN1d 8h ago

If they don't maintain some kind of console presence, I think they will lose gamepass subscribers and just become a 3rd party publisher who eventually sells everything off

Cacabunga1d 7h ago

Xbox games are releasing on all platforms. Who needs this hardware? PS or PC is all you need

Flewid6381d 5h ago

I've never owned an Xbox in my life and I have GamePass.

thorstein1d 4h ago

The only Xbox I owned was the 360. I have gamepass for my PC.

GamerRN23h ago

Majority of Gamepass users are currently on console...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 23h ago
crazyCoconuts1d 6h ago

Even if they could get it down to $800 for a box that can run with comparable performance to a PS6 (at, say $200 cheaper) the population of people willing to buy such a thing would be so limited.
It would be the worst of both worlds.

2d ago
Futureshark1d 17h ago

A slow, painful and public death too.

Show all comments (66)
300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)