Microsoft Is Already Working On Future Xbox Series Iterations

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S aren't even coming out until next month, but Microsoft has confirmed that it has "already started" iterating on Xbox Series hardware for the future.

[ziggurcat]

I would be happy with a digital edition of the Series X (i.e. the rumoured Series V from about a month ago). I want all of my consoles to be discless this time around, and I can't justify a Series S anymore after some of the more recent info.

[TravsVoid]

I'd rather them make a Series S with a disk drive.

[Mr Pumblechook]

I suspect the next-next-gen Xbox have more memory allocated to the user interface to allow players to interact with games in more advanced ways. And hopefully, there will be internal revisions to the controller to allow greater variations of physical feedback for the player.

[BQ32]

Why a series s with a drive, at that point your only 100 away from twice the console.

[Darkborn]

@BQ32 triple the console*

[jaymacx]

MS needs to realize that their number one focus should be games. Not 1000 color variations of controllers and talk of more consoles.

[StoneyYoshi]

@travis

I think a Diskless XSX would be the smarter choice.

[SullysCigar]

Maybe they're working on increasing the heat dissipation? That's always a plus.

[nickanasty206]

I can understand to a certain point why you would want this, but you limit your store markets so much that you don't have too many outlets to save money on digital games. Several times I notice digital games continue to keep their value in proprietary store fronts, while physical copies go on sale with in months of a game release. My only issue with digital is that there isn't much competition out there for deals on games, which is why i still stick with physical, other than my other motive of collecting physical copies of games. I think the only other digital store front that sometimes has deals on games when you go digital is CDKeys, and generally those digital counterparts are still more expensive than buying a physical copy. You also miss out on letting friends borrow or trade games with you, on top of being able to sell a game if you are completely done with it.

[ziggurcat]

I've been all digital 95% of this gen, so going all digita hasn't been a problem for me.

[Father__Merrin]

you wont be able to keep everyone happy some will prefer a series x digital and series s with disc etc. if they do release series x digital it will be headache to jumble 3 console around

[RgR]

You'd be doing yourself a disservice for not buying an S.

The S is xboxs main console for next gen.

Getting the x is great and all but until we see performance reviews of games running on S it may be a complete waste to invest on the X this coming gen. Simply because the exclusives won't really take real advantage of the X

You can go did less with the playstation and be first the same quality as the other version.

[nickanasty206]

I bought the Series X for the purpose of being able to go back and play great games from last gen at better framerates and for better in game latency responses with the controller. My TV supports VRR and Freesync, so playing BC games at their best was definitely in my interest, especially with such a huge backlog. I see the value of the S, but the difference between the S and the X performance wise is like the difference between buying a NVIDIA 1070 and having a 3080. If you still only have a 1080p TV then absolutely, the S is all you need, if you have a 4K tv with VRR and Freesync it makes more sense to have an X and experience your backlog with the highest framerates. Another great reason to get the X or a PS5, is performance on Cyberpunk, as it will not have a day one update for next gen consoles. Naturally it is going to look best and play best on a true next gen machine. That game looks like its going to be rough to run on PS4 and Xbox One X with everything that is going on. Likely a sub 30fps with massive graphical downgrades, which doesn't suit an FPS style game very well. Sure Destiny runs at 30fps on current gen, but wouldn't you want to play it at at least 60fps if you can for just another 200 dollars?

[NeoGamer232]

There should be a build-your-own console...

Choose Resolution (1440p or 4K)
Choose HDD Size (.5 - 8 TB)
Choose Blu-ray or not (Y/N)

Click finish and you get a console you want.

[Chunky007]

Standard for all companies i'd say, working on improving component costs, poss slim version etc. Guaranteed sony is also working on similar, nintendo etc

[Obscure_Observer]

Yeah, I think the people that were expecting MS to leave the console business to become some third party publisher, will be greatly disappointed

[ShadowWolf712]

Yeah, it's not like Sega was planning for future hardware when they released the Dreamcast or anything...

This kinda isn't an argument against that. lol

[SullysCigar]

I'd imagine all 3 companies are constantly developing the next iteration to some degree, but it does seem odd to make that information public before the product has even launched!

Surely it could make people hesitant to buy if they've already had their mind shifted to the improved version already in the works.

[kneon]

Exactly. this isn't news. Do people think the engineers all go on vacation for 5 years after a new gen starts? The week after the design is finalized they are already thinking about what to do next.

[Weapon_of_choice]

Not Nintendo

[DJStotty]

This is standard practice, R&D on the next console starts when and sometimes before, the new console is released.

[UnholyLight]

I don't think people realize the amount of R&D that goes into creating the next product. It often takes many years.

[Bathyj]

It might be expected but they really shouldn't be talking about it yet. Sony aren't even talking about VR yet cos they don't want it to divert attention from the ps5 launch.

[alb1899]

It was an answer to a question. I know Ryan would have answer the same.

[crazyCoconuts]

Do you think the questions are spontaneous, or reviewed in advance of the interview?

[SullysCigar]

You know no such thing, alb1899.

crazyCoconuts gets it!

[Ausbo]

And yet if he said he wasn’t working on new consoles, people would take that to mean Microsoft is leaving the hardware business.

Can’t win on N4G

[Obscure_Observer]

"And yet if he said he wasn’t working on new consoles, people would take that to mean Microsoft is leaving the hardware business"

Exactly. Bad news for haters.

[Christopher]

Welcome to online journalism as it is. There just isn't any winning anymore, no matter what you do.

[Obscure_Observer]

"It might be expected but they really shouldn't be talking about it yet"

Yes, they should.

Such confirmation will shutdown false narratives and rumours from idiots that think Xbox will become some third party publisher for Sony and Nintendo while leaving the console market.

This news reasures MS comitment with console gaming which is trully awesome, specially now that they own 23 studios with the Bethesda acquisition.

Under Phil leadership, Xbox is better than ever!

[Bathyj]

It shuts down nothing because Microsoft (or any other company for that matter) have no problem saying one thing now and doing another later if it suits them.

My issue is it way too early to talk about other hardware, it makes their commitment to this hardware seem paper thin. Always moving on to something else if the current isn't good enough. Seen it 3 times already

And if I was interested in Xbox and heard this I would think I might as well wait 3 years when they finally (hopefully) release some decent games with their new console.

Oh and Xbox is better than ever? How can you say that? Their games line up is the worst we've ever seen. You remember games right? It's what you missed out on for the last gen and a half.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Bathyj

"It shuts down nothing because Microsoft (or any other company for that matter) have no problem saying one thing now and doing another later if it suits them."

That´s true. But if MS has already made the information that they´re working on a new console public this earlier, they already have the investors and other higher ups on lock.

"And if I was interested in Xbox and heard this I would think I might as well wait 3 years when they finally (hopefully) release some decent games with their new console."

If track record is anything to go by, you´re talking about Sony and it´s PS4 Pro (2016) which hit the shelves 3 years after the PS4. It took 4 years to get the One X released (2017). And if you think a PS5 Pro is not coming in 3 years or so, you´re in for some major shock, imo.

"Oh and Xbox is better than ever? How can you say that? Their games line up is the worst we've ever seen."

Oh really?

Hellblade II
Flight Simulator
Grounded
Gears Tactics
Project Mara
Fable
Forza Motorsport 8
Forza Horizon 5
Avowed
Everwild
Psychonauts 2
State of Decay 3
Halo Infinite
Starfield
Elder Scrolls VI
The Initiative´s new game
Two new unannounced AAA RPGs from InXile

That´s just from the top of my mind. Now, tell me again when Xbox in all its existence had such large and diverse line up of first party games? I´ll wait.

[NEXUS-6]

You've gotta learn to walk before you can run. Just release these 2 consoles and support them with quality content. No one cares what your doing in 2, 3 or 4 yrs time, its this wayward thinking that will have you releasing 2 consoles without a 1st party game.

Take a breather and focus on making good games, that's where all your energy should be ms. The showing of your crown jewel was an absolute debacle, horrific on every level.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Both companies do this. I guarantee you Somy is already working on PS6

[nickanasty206]

Not to mention, both companies have Teams who all work independently in different departments that specialize in their areas of profession. I am sure both Sony and Microsoft have dedicated teams for new console iterations, so other actual software development teams can focus on making great games. For example, its not like an Accounting department posting to the general ledger is hindering the ability of the software teams to work on games.

[NEXUS-6]

Maybe accounting should help with halo - probably look better than it did.

[nickanasty206]

Halo Infinite gamplay wise didn't look bad at all to me...That is of course just my opinion, but i will throw my two cents in on that one. Sure it didn't look "Next Gen" perse and they do have improvements to make, which is why it was delayed. They also sound like they had a bunch of internal development issues, sounding very much to the same tone of Mass Effect Andromeda with outsourcing and all of that, so Microsoft did the right thing, and did the thing they didn't want to have to do, break their promise of day one release, and obviously xbox series x's greatest selling point in order to make the game better. I'd say its a very ballsy move to make and commend any team who realizes that their work isn't quite cutting it and delaying it to make the game better. Now, since they do have he extra time, if the game isn't better after all of the extra work, i will totally side with your stance on this. That is a whole separate issue entirely. Give 343 one last chance to prove they deserve to make Halo games, i would say they are walking on a pretty tight rope if they can't get it right this time.

[NEXUS-6]

I like poking fun, never seriously - just banter. But it does seem as though there is a management issue at 343i.

Too many cooks in the kitchen maybe.

It is a disaster that's for sure.

[Weapon_of_choice]

Halo infinite looked very vintage, had that last last gen feel to it. Very retro.

[nickanasty206]

Don't get me wrong though gents, as a huge Halo fan and after the disappointment of the initial release of MCC in such a broken state, this is the last chance i am giving 343 on Halo. I do like the feel of what they were going for with Infinite because Halo needed to get back to its roots, but hoping they can just polish that experience and look up a bit more so everybody is happy with it. Crossing my fingers on this one. i bought a Series X and PS5 regardless, series X because i am already overly invested in the Xbox ecosystem library wise since i have saved all games even from the Original Xbox and 360 era, most being backwards compatible (got lucky on that one) and obviously PS5 for its amazing exclusives that you just can't pass up. We will see where Halo is headed, i know Microsoft are in a position now that Halo can not fail, so heres hopes to a positive outcome in the end.

[King_Noctis]

“ No one cares what your doing in 2, 3 or 4 yrs time”

Without proper planning ahead of time, how can they possibly have anything to show in these “ 2, 3 or 4 yrs time” ?

[Games1st]

Hopeful for mid gen. Sony will see this and not want to leave it unchallenged.

[jukins]

To think sony isn't also already working on "next gen"

[S2Killinit]

Not really reassuring is it

[crazyCoconuts]

Yea, I'm not sure everyone sees the subtle message there. Why would they want to get this message out on the cusp of a new console release? Maybe an innocent interview question, but maybe not.

[S2Killinit]

Yep. Its never an innocent interview question. The interviews are always pre-approved. They submit areas where interviewer is allowed to question, then interviewer submits questions for pre-approval.

[jwillj2k4]

New “strongest ever” console by 2023

[nickanasty206]

This only makes sense, I am sure Sony are doing the same thing since the mid-gen refresh consoles are a new thing . It also takes a bunch of research far ahead of time for new console iterations, so when they (Microsoft and Sony) are done with with one, they move on to the next. With the blinding speeds of technology progression, each company has to do this to keep up with the times. You can look to the trend of the PC market to really see how blisteringly fast the technology is moving. Just a little over a year ago i bought a 2080ti and now the new NVIDIA 3000 series is out and roughly increased its performance by 50 percent. Same things with processors, bought an i9-10900k which isn't currently natively supporting PCIE 4 specifications, and now both Intel and AMD are working on or announcing new processors that support it fully. Just one of those things with tech, its constantly progressing, which is great and annoying at the same time.

[Baza]

Cloud based edition!

[Ristul]

Talk about the next console before this one is even out... ooookay then.

[RaiderNation]

Not surprised. They're better at producing hardware than they are games.

[Kyur4ThePain]

Giving up. Back to the drawing board.

[PS-Gamer-1986]

Ofcourse they do. For me the whole "series" thing implies, that they could go the smartphone road with updatet iterations and specs every 1 or 2 years instead of generations that last for 5+ years

[S2Killinit]

That. Would. Be. Terrible.

[Chocoburger]

It would indeed be terrible.
...
...
...
So that makes it a possibility then, huh?

[S2Killinit]

Unfortunately it seems at the very least thats the direction currently.

[PS-Gamer-1986]

Yeah i imagine something like with samsung galaxy J for example.
There are the J3 2016 , j3 2017 and j3 2018 models
And let's say the J5 2016, j5 2017 and j5 2018

So this could translate into something like the xbox series s 2020 model, series s 2022 model etc and the xbox series x 2020 model, series x model 2022 .............

Also knowing microsoft, they would find it very convinient being able to boast about sales numbers by infinitely lumping together sales of each series as a whole without ever needing to release sales numbers of a specific model of a certain year. " we are proud to announce the x series sold 100 units until this day!!"

[SinisterKieran]

hopefully not too soon. this would kill console generations for me.

[Einhander1971]

I expect Sony and Nintendo are already working on successors to switch and PS5.

[Knightofelemia]

Wonder if future Xboxes with letters in their names will be the same specs across the board Series S and X are miles apart from each other which causes confusion for the consumer and developers. Should have just made S and X the same specs as each other keep the colour scheme as is. Sony was able to keep the same specs across the board for the PS5 one has a disc drive the other doesn't. If I were to go digital which I won't I would have paid the extra $100 for the Series S if it was the same specs as the Series X.

[Spikeantestor]

Of course they are.

Of course it/they won't be released for another 3 years, minimum but yeah, of course they're thinking about the future.

[Kaedro]

Of course they are. They already know these two models will fail.

[Weapon_of_choice]

Xbox development team: "haptic feedback? 3D audio?? How fast is their SSD??? Exclusives????

[XxINFERNUSxX]

So Xbox Series X Pro then what after that? LOL A console should be a console and not a new version every 2-3 yrs. Then it becomes to much like the PC. There should have been only 1 of each PS5 and Xbox Series X (dumb name, should have been changed) not 2 versions of each. Then a new console in about 5-6 years from now. (Mostly a PC gamer but do own a Switch.) Also with Nintendo, I see rumors about a Switch Pro TBH not interested. I rather Nintendo wait until the time is right for a serious successor to the Switch.

[Weapon_of_choice]

PS5 pro will happen in around 4 'years, that's when 8k panels will be mainstream which would justify a pro , just like with 1080p to 4k.

[FreeFallFrenzy]

They can't even get games made for the two they already have, and they want to make more?!

[TrueViper]

They need a digital version of Series X and should call it Series E to complete the naming of the Sexbox.