Microsoft is reportedly working on several gaming consoles to serve as mid-gen refreshes before a new generation of consoles launches toward the end of this decade. This information comes via leaked court documents from the Microsoft vs. US FTC trial. A blunder by the court allowed these documents to be published online before they could be adequately redacted, giving the public a look at a roadmap and concept images for Microsoft’s upcoming gaming systems.
One of these new devices is a refreshed version of the Xbox Series X codenamed “Brooklin,” which will launch next year. According to the leaked slides, this new console will boast a more compact design with a cylindrical shape that resembles the Apple Mac Pro and Amazon Echo smart speakers. It will also lack a disc drive, suggesting that Microsoft is moving to an all-digital approach with its Xbox offerings.
The updated Xbox Series X will retain the same horsepower as the existing model, including 16GB of RAM and 12 teraflops of computing power. However, it will reportedly have more internal storage and faster Wi-Fi 6E support for lower latency. Additionally, it can run games at up to 15 percent less power than the current model, and its battery should last longer in standby mode.
In addition to the updated Xbox Series X, Microsoft is also working on a refreshed version of the Series S codenamed “Ellewood.” This new device is reportedly scheduled to launch in August 2024 and will be priced at $299 with 1TB of storage. It will have the same form factor as the original Series S but will feature an updated Intel processor with more power efficiency improvements. It will also have more integrated storage, faster Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 support.
These new Xbox devices will come with a brand-new controller that will add features like gyro and haptic feedback. These features will work alongside the Kinect camera, which will continue to be the primary input method on the devices.
Other leaked slides show a game roadmap that suggests the refreshed Xbox Series X and Ellewood will come with Doom Year Zero, an Arkane Studios title called Redfall, and a Dishonored Three sequel from Tango Gameworks. It’s still being determined if the existing Xbox Series X will be discontinued in favor of these new models. Still, this year’s Black Friday sale was the first time the company offered a limited-edition Series S with a larger 1TB of storage. If the refreshed Xbox Series X debuted without a disc drive, the existing model would be the only option for gamers interested in physical games. Microsoft still needs to respond to requests for comment. For more, please read about how Microsoft’s internal documents accidentally revealed that its CEO considered acquiring Nintendo and Warner Bros. In other Microsoft news, this week, a document leaked online showed that the company aims for an early 2025 release date for its new Surface Studio tablet.