Big news is shaking up the gaming world: Microsoft has finally confirmed what fans and insiders have long suspected: the next generation of Xbox consoles will function more like PCs, running on Windows and untethered from any single store. This bold shift was revealed during a video announcement by Xbox President Sarah Bond, where she also unveiled a deepening partnership with AMD to “co-engineer silicon” for the upcoming hardware lineup.
While Microsoft and AMD have worked together on Xbox chips since the Xbox 360 era, it’s Bond’s words and the direction they hint at that make this announcement groundbreaking. She emphasized that the next-generation Xbox consoles (yes, plural) will not be locked to one store and are designed for openness, flexibility, and accessibility.
A Windows-Powered Future
Bond confirmed what gamers have been speculating: the new Xbox hardware will be Windows-based. This supports long-standing rumors that Microsoft aims to blur the line between console and PC gaming. Her statement makes it crystal clear:
“This is all about building you a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device.”
This move follows the release of the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld console developed by Asus. It runs Windows and supports multiple gaming platforms like Steam, showing Microsoft’s push toward a broader ecosystem rather than a walled garden.
The End of the “One Console” Era?
Bond also hinted at a “portfolio of devices” which means Microsoft isn’t just talking about one console. They’re aiming for a next-generation hardware lineup across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories. She even teased the idea of Xbox devices being both “in your living room and in your hands” possibly alluding to handheld hardware, though reports suggest their in-house handheld project may have been shelved.One of the most important reassurances for current players came when Bond confirmed that the next-generation Xbox will offer backward compatibility, allowing gamers to continue playing their existing Xbox library.
“Together with AMD we are advancing the state of art in gaming silicon to deliver the next generation of graphics innovation, to unlock a deeper level of visual quality, and immersive gameplay and player experiences enhanced with the power of AI, all while maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games.”
No DLSS, But Plenty of Power
There’s one trade-off: the AMD partnership means the new Xbox won’t include DLSS, Nvidia’s industry-leading AI-powered upscaling tech that’s set to appear in Nintendo’s Switch 2. While AMD and Sony have tried to match DLSS, their alternatives haven’t quite delivered the same results. Still, Microsoft seems confident that their AI-backed enhancements and custom hardware will deliver the immersive power today’s gamers expect.
A Radical Departure From PlayStation
After years of Xbox and PlayStation following similar paths in terms of design and performance, Microsoft is now charting its own bold course. The upcoming Xbox isn’t just a console, it’s part of a vision. A Windows-powered, multi-device, open-storefront experience that breaks away from traditional console limitations.
The future of gaming isn’t just changing, it’s being reinvented. And Microsoft just made the first move.
