The future of Xbox looks interesting with Microsoft starting to blur the line between playing on an Xbox and a PC. Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has dropped a few exciting hints that big changes are coming for the Xbox. Further, some leaked memos pointed at keeping old Xbox games playable and compatible with new systems. All signs show Xbox to become more like a PC.
In a recent interview with Polygon, Spencer talked about a big change: letting the Xbox work with PC game stores like Epic Games Store and Itch.io. This is a huge deal because it would change our thoughts about Xbox as just a gaming console. Spencer wouldn’t bring this up if Microsoft wasn’t focused on it.
To make this happen, Xbox would need to handle running PC games. But this doesn’t mean your console will suddenly turn into a regular computer with a Windows desktop. The aim is to make Xbox more flexible for game development, similar to how PCs work. Microsoft has been working on this for a while with GameCore, which helps developers make games that can easily work on both Xbox and computer.
Microsoft also claims that the next Xbox will be a giant leap forward in technology. The giant company is also focusing on making sure all the famous Xbox games we already have will still be playable on new console systems, as shared in a memo from Xbox president Sarah Bond.
Opening up Xbox to work with other PC stores comes with its ups and downs. A couple of years ago, Microsoft said they’d let developers use different ways to handle in-app payments, which could impact their finance sources from Xbox. Since Microsoft consoles are usually sold at a loss and they make up for it by selling games, allowing other stores on Xbox could make things a bit tricky financially.
Spencer also mentioned the idea of possibly having third-party Xbox consoles in the future. “So I think, what are the barriers? What are the things that create friction in today’s world for creators and players? And how can we be part of opening up that model?” said in the same interview with Polygon. While Microsoft isn’t planning to stop making its consoles, they’re thinking about opening up their software to support more types of hardware.
Another big idea is an Xbox handheld device, inspired by the success of Valve’s Steam Deck, which shows that you can have a great gaming experience on a small, portable device. Rumor has it that Microsoft is working on something similar that would blend Windows and Xbox into one environment, but without showing all the Windows stuff on the surface.
The main goal for Microsoft is to integrate Xbox and Windows so tightly that no matter where you are or what screen you’re using, it gives you a console feel. This approach isn’t only for keeping up with new gadgets like the Steam Deck but to completely change the playing experience. If Microsoft pulls this off, soon we might not even think about if we’re playing on an Xbox or a PC—we’ll just be playing.