Next Xbox Will Be a Windows PC: Microsoft Confirms Game-Changing Shift
Microsoft has just dropped a bombshell: the next Xbox is shaping up to be… a PC. Yes, you read that right. Forget what you know about traditional consoles—Xbox is about to get a whole lot more open and flexible, and it’s all thanks to a fresh partnership with AMD and a new approach to hardware and software.
- Microsoft confirms next-gen Xbox consoles will run on Windows
- New devices won’t be locked to a single store
- Partnership with AMD to co-engineer new gaming chips
- Backward compatibility and AI-powered graphics teased
- Hints at handhelds and a wider Xbox hardware lineup
Next Xbox: More Like a PC Than Ever
During a short announcement video with Xbox president Sarah Bond, Microsoft officially revealed it’s teaming up with AMD to create the next generation of Xbox chips. This isn’t a huge surprise—AMD has powered Xbox consoles for years—but what’s really turning heads is the way Bond talked about the future platform.
Bond made it clear: the next-gen Xbox consoles will be Windows-based. That means we’re likely to see devices that feel more like gaming PCs than ever before. Plus, Microsoft says the new consoles won’t be “locked to a single store,” hinting at support for multiple storefronts—maybe even Steam or Epic Games Store. That’s a massive shift from the closed systems we’re used to!
Xbox Everywhere: Not Just in Your Living Room
This news comes hot on the heels of the reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally, a Windows-based handheld built by Asus that’s branded with Xbox but runs a custom version of Windows and lets you play games from various platforms. The catch? The Ally can only play Xbox games that also have PC versions—no native Xbox console titles yet.
But Bond wanted to reassure fans: the next-gen Xbox will support backward compatibility. Here’s what she said:
“Together with AMD we are advancing the state of art in gaming silicon to deliver the next generation of graphics innovation, to unlock a deeper level of visual quality, and immersive gameplay and player experiences enhanced with the power of AI, all while maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games.”
Microsoft is also talking about a “portfolio of devices”—not just a single console, but a lineup that could include handhelds, PCs, cloud devices, and accessories. Bond even referenced Xbox consoles “in your living room and in your hands,” which strongly suggests a possible in-house handheld, despite some reports that the project might have been scrapped (source).
AMD Partnership: No DLSS, but Lots of AI Power
One trade-off? The new Xbox hardware, thanks to the AMD partnership, won’t support Nvidia’s DLSS AI upscaling—tech that’s made a big splash on PC and is rumored for Nintendo’s Switch 2. So far, AMD’s and Sony’s alternatives haven’t quite matched up. But Microsoft is betting big on AI-powered graphics and innovation to keep players excited.
After two console generations where Xbox and PlayStation were almost twins in terms of hardware, it looks like the next era will be very different. Microsoft is ready to shake things up and redefine what a game console can be. Interesting times ahead for gamers everywhere!
