Xboc moving full speed ahead on next console
Microsoft is moving "full speed ahead" on its next generation console, an internal email from Xbox president Sarah Bond has revealed.
The email, obtained by Windows Central and verified to be genuine by Microsoft, also announced the formation of a game preservation team at Xbox.
"We are moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation," Bond said, reiterating comments made in February when the console's existence was officially announced.
No further information was shared regarding the hardware itself, nor when fans might be able to buy it, but documents leaked in 2023 suggested Microsoft plans to release the next Xbox in 2028. Regardless, with Microsoft seemingly making its development a priority, it will likely be available sooner rather than later.
Alongside it looking to the future, Xbox also appears committed to the past and present. "We have formed a new team dedicated to game preservation, important to all of us at Xbox and the industry itself," Bond said in the email.
"We are building on our strong history of delivering backwards compatibility to our players, and we remain committed to bringing forward the amazing library of Xbox games for future generations of players to enjoy."
While game preservation is largely concerned with ensuring classic titles don't become lost to time, it's ironically the current generation of games which may be most at risk due to online requirements and digital formats.
Live service games are often unplayable without an internet connection, so when servers are shut down they disappear for good. Microtransactions being available even in single player modes can also force online requirements and several other games therefore face a similar issue.
