The Xbox Series X|S consoles will mark their fifth anniversary this November. Naturally, discussions about the next generation of Xbox are in full swing, and Microsoft recently outlined its vision for future hardware and a `player-first` philosophy designed to deliver a seamless gaming experience across various devices.
During the Official Xbox Podcast, Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation at Xbox, detailed how the company plans to evolve the Xbox ecosystem to support multiple devices. He stated, “When we contemplate the future of Xbox, our primary focus is on centering the experience around the player, and observing how modern gamers engage with titles today, the vast majority play across different devices.”
According to Ronald, Microsoft envisages players having the flexibility to use portable devices like the Xbox ROG Ally for gaming on the go, then seamlessly transition to dedicated home hardware, picking up right where they left off.
“Therefore, our efforts are concentrated on developing the Xbox ecosystem to empower players to enjoy their games wherever they choose, while simultaneously continuing to craft specialized, gaming-optimized devices such as the Xbox Ally or a next-generation console,” Ronald elaborated. “This approach is genuinely driven by how players prefer to game in the current landscape, designing and building a platform with their needs at its core.”
Regarding the upcoming Xbox console, it is confirmed to integrate AMD technology. Microsoft asserts this will enable a “deeper level of visual fidelity” and “immersive gameplay,” further enhanced by AI capabilities. The company also hinted at a future where games aren`t “restricted to a single storefront” or solely supported on one specific device. In February, Xbox President Sarah Bond proclaimed that the console currently under development would introduce “the largest technical leap you will have ever witnessed in a hardware generation.”
For the handheld segment, the Xbox ROG Ally is set to launch during the holiday season, offering two distinct models. The black ROG Xbox Ally X will feature an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The standard white ROG Xbox Ally will come with an AMD Ryzen Z2A chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. While official pricing remains undisclosed, recent leaks suggest the premium `X` model could reach up to $1,050, with the base ROG Xbox Ally rumored to be priced around $699.