Next-gen Xbox rumoured to be a 'TV-friendly PC'

Image: Game Rant

A significant shift in Microsoft's gaming hardware strategy may be on the horizon, with insider reports suggesting the next-generation Xbox console will essentially be a PC housed in a television-friendly shell. This revelation, shared by Windows Central's Jez Corden, indicates a departure from traditional console architecture, potentially simplifying game development and blurring the lines between PC and console gaming.

The move towards a PC-like design would streamline the development process, allowing developers to create games with a more familiar workflow. By leveraging an operating system closer to standard Windows, developers could potentially bypass the complexities of unique console APIs and hardware quirks, focusing instead on optimizing for fixed hardware specifications. This approach could also eliminate the need for traditional dev kits, as developers would primarily require hardware specifications to target.

Rumours place the next Xbox generation's arrival as early as 2027, with Microsoft aiming for a substantial technical leap. The company's exploration of a handheld device, confirmed by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, adds another layer of intrigue, though its role within the next generation remains unclear. However, Microsoft faces challenges in the console market, with the PlayStation 5 significantly outselling the Xbox Series X/S and a shift towards multi-platform game releases.

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