~ News ~
Microsoft has accidentally revealed its Xbox roadmap, exposing unmet expectations and misjudged industry analysis.
Since January 2022, Microsoft has been convincing anti-trust bodies around the world to approve its $68.7bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. The last remaining approval, from the US Federal Trade Commission, finally sealed the deal earlier this month - but not before Microsoft submitted key documents without redaction.
The leaked information details a planned mid-generation 'refresh'. 'Brooklin' and 'Ellewood' are the codenames for the new Series X and S respectively. Both boast faster Wi-Fi, improved Bluetooth, reduced power consumption and double the storage capacity of the current models. Retailing at the same price as X/S ($499/$299), they are scheduled to launch in 2024.
These will be digital-only consoles. A new controller (codename 'Sebile') will be able to connect directly to the cloud and a leaked presentation slide seems to re-confirm the existence of Project Keystone, Microsoft's Cloud Console.
Xbox-owned ZeniMax's release schedule was also leaked, revealing a number of unannounced titles - Dishonoured 3, Oblivion Remaster, DOOM Year Zero, Fallout 3 Remaster and a Ghostwire: Tokyo sequel - as well as highlighting the consistent failure to meet expected release windows. In a leaked email, Phil Spencer calls the delays of tentpole third-party games (such as Starfield) a 'disaster situation'.
In earlier emails, Spencer muses on a merger with Nintendo. While admitting that Nintendo were unlikely to consider, Microsoft's board are "fully supportive" of a deal with Nintendo or Valve. Apparently, Xbox are "playing the long game" by keeping tabs on Nintendo's big shareholders.
In a more recent email, Xbox corporate vice president Sarah Bond estimates the cost of 18 third-party games joining Game Pass: $100m for Assassin's Creed Mirage, $300m for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and $5m, the lowest sum, for Baldur's Gate 3, dismissed as a "second-run Stadia RPG".
The leak suggests a company out of touch with its own industry. Recent sales figures show Microsoft trailing behind Sony and Nintendo. With long waits for stellar exclusives and future surprises now ruined, the tech giant has a long way to go before it threatens the competition.
