A new report claims that the next console from Microsoft will be a bold leap forward, as the product could be a console/PC hybrid that will open the door for even more PlayStation exclusives to be played. This year, Microsoft has ramped up its intentions of leaving brand exclusivity behind, and if this report is accurate, then it could be a major change for the company.
Last week, it was confirmed that Halo will officially be coming to the PS5. Rebranded as Halo: Campaign Evolved, this Unreal Engine 5 remake of the beloved first-person shooter will be available on PS5 for the first-time ever in 2026. Rumors about the Halo franchise coming to the PS5 have been hot this year, and with the confirmation of Halo: Campaign Evolved, the first official step has been taken. If a new rumor about Microsoft's next console is true, though, Halo could simply be the beginning of the company embracing the PlayStation audience.
Xbox President Says the Idea of Console Exclusives Is 'Antiquated'
Xbox President Sarah Bond says making a game exclusive to one platform is an 'antiquated' idea as the company releases more games on other consoles.
The Next Generation of Xbox May Allow Users to Access PlayStation Games
- The next Xbox console will reportedly allow access to Windows.
- This will give users the option to access non-Microsoft storefronts, like Steam.
- Therefore, PlayStation exclusives that are available on Steam could be played.
This report comes from Windows Central, and while Microsoft itself has yet to reveal its next generation of console, Xbox President Sarah Bond has hinted that this is the direction to be expected from the company moving forward. When recently discussing the ROG Xbox Ally and the future of Xbox in an interview with Mashable, Bond stated, "The next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking we have in this handheld." While she was still quite secretive during the interview, Windows Central's report lines up with her past statements.
It's been an eventful few months for Microsoft and Xbox. Between controversial lay-offs, the success of the ROG Xbox Ally, and the surprising price hike for Xbox Game Pass, the company has faced a series of highs and lows. With Bond's comments about the next wave of Xbox being a "premium" experience, allowing players to access PlayStation games via Steam would definitely be a strong selling point for some people.
The next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking we have in this handheld.
Only time will tell if these reports are accurate, but the possibility of being able to play God of War and The Last of Us on an Xbox console is definitely intriguing. As Microsoft works to evolve the Xbox brand, the eventual reveal of the next-gen Xbox is bound to be fascinating.
- Date Founded
- April 4, 1975
- Headquarters
- Redmond, Washington, United States
- CEO
- Satya Nadella
- Subsidiaries
- activision blizzard, Microsoft Studios, Mojang Studios, Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox Game Studios
- Consoles
- Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series X|S
- Services
- Xbox Game Pass