According to one industry insider, the next-generation Xbox console may not be built by the same team that created the Series X. Instead, the project has been moved to Microsoft’s Surface business.
The alleged move means that the next Xbox machine may be introduced considerably later than the PS6, depending on how near to the drawing board the project returns as a consequence of the design team change.
Microsoft’s current-generation system hasn’t fared well in comparison to the PS5, and the worst may be yet to come, with the Redmond-based tech behemoth expecting Xbox hardware sales to fall further until 2024.
While the firm ceased disclosing specific console sales data in 2015, it broke its quiet in mid-2023, revealing that the Xbox Series X and Series S sold a total of 21 million units, about half of what the PS5 sold at the time.
Microsoft Surface Team Is Developing The Next Xbox Device
Microsoft Surface Team Is Developing The Next Xbox Device, It’s Claimedhttps://t.co/YBmBa7EEOA
— Insider Gaming (@InsiderGamingIG) February 12, 2024
According to a recent assertion by industry insider Nick Baker, the business chose to change up its console section in response to these issues. During the February 10 episode of The XboxEra Podcast (approximately 1:57:45), Baker stated that he had learned that Microsoft had shifted the duty of creating the next-generation Xbox console to the Surface team.
According to Nick Baker (XboxEra) Jason Ronald, the person responsible for leading development of the Xbox Series X|S hardware, will not be in charge of Microsoft’s next gaming device. His team got replaced by Surface team. pic.twitter.com/7UWOnI8Ezl
— Oliver Darko (@oliver_drk) February 11, 2024
Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s Vice President of Xbox Gaming Devices and Ecosystem, formerly headed the project. Ronald oversaw the development of the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One X throughout his 17-year tenure with the firm, which continues today.
An Xbox Console from the Surface Team Might Make Sense
Even if the Series X was doing considerably better than it is now, Microsoft assigning its replacement to the Surface team would not be entirely unexpected if the latest rumor that an Xbox portable console is in the works is true.
After all, the Surface division focuses on high-performance portable devices. It’s unclear if such a drastic paradigm change would be possible if the current-generation console was performing well.
Baker’s most recent podcast appearance also saw him react to the newest portable rumors, which were launched by the Xbox News Cast Podcast, especially by co-host MAGG. To that end, the insider stated that he could not vouch for the accuracy of the initial allegation, but that he had received comparable information from a source who informed him that he was not responsible for MAGG’s alleged leak.
While the original story suggested that the portable would be cheaper and less powerful than the next-generation Xbox, effectively functioning as the Series S replacement, Baker’s source said that it would have equal specs but be more costly.
Given the recent inflow of Microsoft leaks, there is always the possibility that the business is presently attempting to run a tighter ship by providing multiple departments with slightly different information and watching which version of the narrative emerges online.
A broken telephone effect might be another, less conspiratorial, reason for the conflicting Xbox handheld rumors, provided they all originate from reliable sources and are reliably reported. Looking at the wider picture, this development is consistent with a recent story that Microsoft told its staff that it will continue to manufacture Xbox hardware.