Xbox followers can relaxation straightforward figuring out that Microsoft doesn’t intend to chop out console {hardware}, as Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed to Rolling Stone that future consoles are nonetheless coming. The corporate doesn’t plan to chop them out of its technique for the way forward for Xbox. Which may not have been instantly clear with the brand new Xbox advert that was dropped this week. With some followers up in arms over or just downright baffled on the option to market the model in such a means.
For many who could have missed it, Xbox put out a brand new advert that very clearly emphasizes the corporate’s cloud gaming and Sport Cross efforts. The “That is an Xbox” advert kicks off by displaying the monolithic Xbox Collection X with the phrases “That is an Xbox” hovering simply above it in shiny inexperienced. The advert then continues by displaying off a TV with out an Xbox related to it. The phrases “that is additionally an Xbox, by itself” are positioned above it. A smartphone and an ASUS ROG Ally X with the Xbox app that includes the phrases, you guessed it, “That is an Xbox.” You get the concept.
The brand new Xbox advert doesn’t deal with future consoles, and that appears to have angered some customers
Microsoft has honed in on its technique over the previous few years of constructing Xbox video games obtainable just about wherever. By cloud gaming on smartphones, by means of screens huge and small, and on PCs utilizing a devoted app. And naturally, by means of the precise console itself. Not everybody significantly loves this technique.
Some diehard followers suppose Microsoft ought to deal with the console and herald top-tier exclusives to assist unit gross sales. However the majority of Xbox followers appear to be high-quality with it. Xbox Sport Cross reached 34 million subscribers again in February, a 36 p.c bump from the beforehand reported numbers again in 2022. So clearly, Microsoft is making some proper strikes right here. That doesn’t cease some from being positively confused at how Microsoft selected to go concerning the advertising.
Whereas the video is generally laying out all of the methods to play Xbox video games, a quick second towards the top throws in a joke a couple of bento field. Microsoft’s poke at some enjoyable is extra clearly seen within the static picture advert, which throws a number of issues that aren’t an Xbox within the combine. A bit unusual, positive, however ultimately Microsoft appears to simply be having just a little enjoyable. And in the end, it will get the purpose throughout. You possibly can play Xbox video games on tons of various shows.
There’s no point out of when new {hardware} will present up
New {hardware} is nearly all the time a given, even when it hasn’t been confirmed. That being stated, Spencer has confirmed that {hardware} remains to be a part of the plan. New consoles are nonetheless a part of the plan, even when he hasn’t given out particular dates. The factor to remember right here is that we’re at the least 3-4 years out from any new Xbox {hardware}. It’s proper in the course of the present console era. So there’s a number of years left earlier than a brand new Xbox or a brand new PlayStation console to interchange the Xbox Collection X and PS5.
And whereas Spencer has confirmed an Xbox handheld is being thought-about, he additionally said that new {hardware} is years away. So for now, the main target is on Xbox Sport Cross. Taking part in video games on extra screens, wherever. Will that work in the long term? Who is aware of.
