Powerful home console and handheld: insider reveals Microsoft's plans for next generation Xbox gaming platform

It is the middle of the life cycle of the current generation of game consoles and the discussion about what devices await gamers in the future is gradually intensifying.

For a long time there have been rumours that Microsoft is developing its own handheld console and the success of Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch and a number of other devices pushed the corporation to this decision.

It looks like the company will soon be ready to talk about its ideas publicly.

Here's What We Know

Windows Central portal analysed an interview with the head of Xbox consumer products John Friend, who said that the brand entrusted to him is actively developing, and Microsoft is preparing a large-scale celebration of its 25th anniversary, which will be held in 2026. Of course, Friend didn't specify what the event was about, but noted that related Xbox merchandise and the Halo franchise continue to sell strongly and the company will offer gamers something special.

In his piece, journalist Jez Corden reported that according to his sources for the anniversary of the Xbox brand (the first console was released in 2001) Microsoft will announce, and maybe immediately release, two new devices.

Corden believes that one of them will be a powerful home console, which he tentatively calls "the successor to the Xbox Series X", and the second will be a portable device conceptually similar to Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw and Lenovo Legion Go. There are a lot of rumours about this gadget, but no one can say for sure whether it will be a console that will be able to natively run games or if users will be offered a gadget focused on cloud gaming, like PS Portal. The first option seems more preferable for the general public, but it should be remembered that Microsoft is actively developing cloud technologies and may release something innovative in this area.

Note that it's still unknown whether Microsoft will offer a stripped-down home console like the Series S in the next generation.

Source: Windows Central