Microsoft confirms that it is working on its next console, but its price could be as high as that of a PC gamer
Next generation Xbox
In an interview with MashableBond ensured that the The next Xbox hardware will be “a premium, high-end, thoughtfully designed experience”. A phrase which, translated from corporate language to gamer language, sounds a lot like “pack your wallet”.
Bond didn’t want to reveal too many technical details or a launch window, but he did drop a comparison that set off all the alarms: “You’re starting to see some of our ideas in Xbox ROG Ally”he said. For those who don’t know it, the ROG AllyX —the most powerful version of the laptop co-signed by Asus and Microsoft— It costs about $1,000..
So, if the portable model is already at that price, How much will a desktop Xbox with the same “high-end” philosophy cost?
A “curated” and luxurious experience
Bond herself also responded to the idea of a hybrid between console and PC playersuggesting this could be the focus of the next machine: “It’s a good idea and something we’re thinking about.”he stated. This fits the rumors that Microsoft wants brings your Xbox ecosystem closer than ever to Windowseliminating the boundaries between the two.
What worries users is not so much the technical ambition – which is appreciated – but the final price of that bet. With the hardware market becoming increasingly expensive and manufacturing costs skyrocketing, the specter of a Xbox worth 1,000 euros or more This is starting to look less like a hype and more like a possibility.
A camouflaged console or PC?
The move fits Microsoft’s new strategy: fewer cheap consoles, more powerful devices which can serve as media centers, streaming consoles, or even workstations. However, this is at odds with the philosophy that made Xbox great in its early days: a powerful console, yes, but also accessible.
In recent years, Prices for hardware and services have increased significantly: Him Game passage has increased its cost several times and some developers have even complained about it development kits have seen increases. In that context, talking about “a curated and premium experience” doesn’t exactly reassure players.
The precedent of the ROG Ally and the message it leaves
Bond’s nod to the ROG Ally is no coincidence. That portable device represents Microsoft’s vision of a more open platform, closer to the PCwhere the user can switch between Xbox, Steam or Epic Games games. A technological marvel, yes, but also a high investment that not all players are willing to face.
If the next Xbox inherits that philosophy and price, we might look at it the most expensive console generation to date.
The future of Xbox hardware
Even though Microsoft insists on remaining faithful to traditional consoles, its focus is shifting towards a multiplatform ecosystem. The recent arrival of Xbox exclusives on PlayStation and Nintendo is a clear sign of this the brand prioritizes services over hardware.
However, the fact that a new console is being confirmed is a relief. Between cancellations, cuts and silences in recent months, many doubted it Xbox even had a successor planned for the Series X and S. At least now we know it exists. What remains to be known is how much it will cost and whether it will really continue to be a “console” in the classic sense.
Excitement mixed with fear of the price
For now, Microsoft has only lit a spark: we know there will be a new Xbox and that your ambition will be high. But between the lines the company also clarified this its “premium” concept could be prohibitive for a large part of the public.
The fans are clear: They want power, yes, but without mortgaging their own pockets. If the next generation of consoles reaches 1,000 euros, many may choose to do so a PC gamer, a Steam Deck, or continue with your current series.
Because in the end, as they say in the world of video games, The most powerful hardware in the world is useless if no one can afford it.
