Xbox Will Keep Making Hardware After Series X/S

Microsoft will continue to make new gaming hardware after the release of the Xbox Series X and Series S this year, Phil Spencer has said. Speaking to Yahoo, Spencer said that just because the gaming industry is embracing digital and streaming now more than ever, that doesn't mean Microsoft will abandon gaming hardware anytime soon.

"In terms of future hardware, absolutely I think we're going to see more console hardware down the road," he said. "Just like in video, just like in music, it's not that streaming has cut off device innovation. I think we'll continue to see that, and that's absolutely what we're planning for."

While Microsoft is committed to continuing to make new hardware, the company won't force you to buy an Xbox if you want to play Xbox games. Microsoft's new strategy is to release its titles across platforms whether that be a game console, a PC, or a smartphone/tablet.

"We're about putting the player at the center," he said. "It's not about the device in the middle any more. You see that in every other form of media. My TV [content] is with me wherever I go. My music is with me wherever I go. I'm in control of the experience, and I think gaming is going through that same transformation."

Under Microsoft's new strategy, you can buy a game on an Xbox console, for example, and then play it on a PC or a smartphone. This all ties back into Xbox Game Pass, which is Microsoft's Netflix-style subscription offering that works on a variety of devices.

"One subscription gives you access to your catalog and community wherever you go," Spencer said.

The idea that Microsoft will continue to make new Xbox hardware is not new or surprising, as Spencer said in 2019 that Microsoft would continue to release new consoles. There are some that believe gaming is headed toward a streaming-only future, but if that is the case, the commonly held idea is that it won't happen soon, and you'll still need some kind of hardware to access games.

The Xbox Series X/S consoles launch in November. GameSpot currently has the Xbox Series X and has gone hands-on, and we've put together load time comparisons and a look at the impressive Quick Resume feature.

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