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As Microsoft halts new games for Xbox One, the focus shifts to Xbox Series S/X consoles. Discover the tech giant’s strategic move into the next generation of gaming.
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft has confirmed it’s no longer creating first-party games for the Xbox One, focusing on the Xbox Series S / X generation.
- Although Microsoft will continue to support Xbox One hardware and certain games, the company’s main focus will be on leveraging its Xbox Cloud Gaming infrastructure.
- Despite having a quiet year in 2022, Microsoft plans to bounce back with a solid lineup of first-party games for the Xbox Series X / S in 2023 and 2024.
Microsoft Says Goodbye to Xbox One, Hello to Xbox Series S/X
It’s official: Microsoft is turning the page and leaving Xbox One games behind. In an industry where evolution is the name of the game, Microsoft has declared its unwavering commitment to the newer Xbox Series S/X generation. It’s the dawn of a new era for the tech titan, one that clearly prioritizes the next wave of gaming technology.
The Shift from Xbox One to Xbox Series S / X
Matt Booty, Xbox Game Studios chief, announced in a recent Axios interview, “We’ve moved on to Gen 9,” – a reference to the Xbox Series S / X generation. Although Xbox One hardware and games like Minecraft will continue to receive support, Microsoft is taking a hard pass on creating new games for the Xbox One. Instead, the company has its sights set on leveraging its Xbox Cloud Gaming infrastructure to deliver the latest games to Xbox One users. “That’s how we’re going to maintain support,” Booty stated.
The recent Xbox Games Showcase didn’t feature any Xbox One-friendly first-party games. Instead, Microsoft used this platform to showcase its commitment to the new generation of consoles. This commitment, however, has been met with some resistance. Rumor has it that some developers are petitioning Microsoft to abandon mandatory Xbox Series S compatibility for the latest Xbox games.
The $299 Xbox Series S, a console capable of 1440p gaming at up to 120fps, has struggled to live up to these standards, with many games only reaching 1080p. In response, Microsoft has been working tirelessly to enhance the overall graphics performance of its smaller console, the Xbox Series S, and free up more memory for developers to exploit.
Despite some developer concerns, Microsoft is standing by its compact console. Booty even admitted that building for the Xbox Series S is “more work,” but he was quick to add that Microsoft’s own Xbox game studios have been successful in squeezing more performance from their latest games built for the Series S.
Microsoft’s Comeback After a Quiet Year
Following a quiet 2022 in terms of Xbox releases, Microsoft aims to stage a comeback with the Xbox Series X / S. Recent Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, recently confessed that the company “lost the worst generation to lose in the Xbox One generation, where everybody built their digital library of games.” Nevertheless, Microsoft’s latest showcase has signaled a significant number of first-party games heading for Xbox in 2023 and 2024.
Microsoft’s decision to end Xbox One game production symbolizes an evolution in gaming technology. While some fans may lament this move, it’s crucial to remember that progress often requires change. Moreover, the end of one era inevitably ushers in the beginning of another – in this case, the reign of the Xbox Series S / X.
