Xbox chief Phil Spencer at E3 earlier this month
The Xbox One X has been on sale for little more than seven months but that hasn’t quelled fresh speculation about the Microsoft’s next hardware release.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer stoked the rumours earlier this month at the company’s conference at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3), where he revealed that Microsoft’s hardware team is “deep into architecting the next Xbox consoles”.
Spencer did not go into detail about the console, code-named “Scarlett”, but industry experts and insiders have been sharing their predictions for the next generation system.
Here’s everything we know about it so far:
When will it come out?
Microsoft has yet to announce a launch date for the next console. However, tech blog Thurrott reports that the company is aiming for a release window in 2020, which would coincide with the expected launch of Sony’s PlayStation 5 system.
Will the next Xbox support VR?
No, almost certainly not. Microsoft marketing boss Mike Nichols told video gaming website GamesIndustry.biz: “We don't have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR).”
He added: “Our perspective on it has been and continues to be that the PC is probably the best platform for more immersive VR and MR.”
By contrast, rival Sony’s PlayStation has offered its own VR solution since 2016.
However, while Sony has sold more than one million examples of its PS VR headset, the technology has not proved as popular as was expected, the BBC says.
What about streaming?
Streaming video games to consoles, rather than downloading or buying physical copies, is a growing trend.
French tech firm Blade recently launched a video game streaming service that, for a fee of around £30 a month, offers players access to a powerful gaming computer from a number of devices, including smartphones.
It appears that Microsoft may be interested in a similar streaming subscription service for the next Xbox.
In an interview with The Guardian following E3, Spencer said: “Our focus is on bringing console quality games that you see on TV or PC to any device.
“I want to see the creators that I have relationships with reach all two billion people who play games, and not have to turn their studio into something that makes match-three games rather than story-driven single player games.”
Microsoft already has its foot in the door of the subscription services industry, with its Xbox Games Pass.
For £7.99 per month, players can download around 200 Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles, including Halo 5: Guardians and Fallout 4.
Will it have keyboard and mouse support?
According to tech blog Windows Central, newly leaked documents reveal that accessory firm Razer attended a private meeting with Microsoft earlier this year to discuss support for peripheral devices. Microsoft is reported to have been planning to introduce support for keyboards and mice in an update for the console’s developer software.
It is not yet know whether the tech giant went ahead with the update, but if the rumour is true, keyboard and mouse support may not only appear on the next Xbox but also on Microsoft’s current crop of console’s.
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