The next-generation of console gaming is right around the corner and the speculation is hitting a strong wave of rumors, leaks, and optimism. Technology evolves and iterates at such an alarming rate that console gaming is always in a tough space in terms of when a new generation should come about. We saw major platform holders release mid-generation upgrades in the PlayStation 4 Pro as well as the Xbox One X in hopes of increasing the time both developers and gamers have to spend on this current generation. The time has come where the dawn of a new age of gaming is upon us. Many industry insiders believe that Fall 2020 seems to be the landing spot for the launch of both the PlayStation 5 and whatever Microsoft decides to call the 4th generation of Xbox consoles.
We recently had Mark Cerny reveal many of the tech aspects of their next console, and there’s a strong indication that Microsoft will be unveiling their next-generation family of consoles during their briefing at E3 2019. At this point in time, the conversation around next-gen consoles is centered on two things: 1. Which of these rumors and leaks are real and what theories can we craft from them? and 2. What do PlayStation and Xbox have to deliver in order to succeed in the next generation? For the sake of this piece, we’re going to specifically focus on the Xbox side of things. Let’s take a look at 15 current theories about the next-gen Xbox and 10 things it needs to have to win the next-gen console race.
25 Theory: Next-Gen Doesn’t Exist?
There have been theories floating around for a while that Microsoft and Xbox will be looking towards the future with their next generation of consoles and ditching generations entirely. Many people speculate that the new Xbox consoles rumored to release in 2020 will be more powerful and/or offer new features, but newer games will still be playable on the Xbox One family of consoles. The theory is derived from Xbox’s shift to a family of consoles as well as their continued focus on software and building value for gamers in a diverse set of ways.
24 Needs To Have: Minimal Controller Redesign
It’s hard to find a controller that’s more perfectly designed ergonomically than the Xbox One controller. Some may argue that they prefer the slightly heftier Xbox 360 version, but the Xbox One revision still kept everything great about the previous generation while adding some minor improvements. Microsoft seems to understand they’ve already nailed the design of a near perfect gaming controller so, hopefully, they don’t make any major changes. If it isn’t broken then there’s no reason to fix it. Here’s hoping they make some slight changes to the d-pad and leave everything else pretty much the same.
23 Theory: Nintendo/Xbox Partnership Continues
In the last 6 months or so we’ve seen this amazing partnership and collaboration between Nintendo and Microsoft start blossoming into some amazing benefits for consumers who own both of their consoles. Most recently Microsoft helped Studio MDHR bring their artistic labor of love platformer Cuphead over to the Nintendo Switch. There are currently rumors that an Xbox affiliated character may be making their way onto the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster at some point in 2019. This continued partnership doesn’t seem to be slowing down, so hopefully, it continues into the next generation.
22 Needs To Have: Continued Investment In Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass, arguably the greatest value in video games, has been a service Microsoft is fully embracing and one that they truly believe could be game-changing. It offers hundreds of games for a small monthly subscription price and allows people to gain access to hundreds of games in an ever-changing vault of experiences. If Microsoft really believes that services are the future and they truly believe in Xbox Game Pass then they need to continue to invest in impressive licensing deals with partners and possibly release some 3rd party titles into the service at launch.
21 Theory: Innovative Hardware
With the unveiling of the Xbox One X, we learned some interesting things about how Phil Spencer wants to tackle Xbox hardware. We quickly found out that Spencer understood how important performance was to a dedicated demographic as well as knowing that the console itself should be visually appealing. The original Xbox One was reminiscent of an old VCR, while both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X offered sleek new redesigns. Heck, the Xbox One X was smaller than the Xbox One S despite being the most powerful console ever sold. Safe to say they may continue with this focus.
20 Needs To Have: Xbox Live Gold Value
In the last few months, subscribers to PlayStation’s PSN have seen value stripped away from their premium membership due to Sony eliminating PS3 and PS Vita games from the free monthly games offered by the service. This means that PSN now gives subscribers 2 games a month, whereas Xbox’s Games with Gold still offers 4 games a month. This built-in value already gives Xbox a leg up without doing anything on their part. In order to fully take advantage, it would be smart for them to add another piece of built-in value to the service and make a clear case as to why Xbox Live Gold is clearly the superior subscription.
19 Theory: Streaming Is Xbox’s Future
18 Theory: Modular Design
A select number of PC and console gamers have been petitioning for console manufacturers to explore modular hardware when it comes to the next generation of gaming consoles. The idea is that these companies would sell a solid baseline unit that consumers could upgrade themselves with specific parts also licensed by the same companies. It allows users to make their consoles as strong as they want without having to deal with building their own PCs. The idea is that it would generate more revenue for the manufacturers and allow a more personalized performance for consumers who are looking to splurge.
17 Theory: Services Over Hardware
There’s been a fear ever since the botched reveal of the Xbox One coupled with the PS4’s meteoric sales numbers that Xbox would pull out of the console hardware space entirely. It wasn’t calmed by the fact that Microsoft announced all of their 1st party games would also release on PC. Once Phil Spencer was put in charge we saw him reassure fans numerous times that Xbox wasn’t going anywhere. In the last year or so we’ve seen that Microsoft and Xbox see services being the gold standard in gaming and it seems like some of their focus will be on both Project xCloud and Xbox Game Pass.
16 Needs To Have: Clear Concise Messaging
It’s one thing to come out with a vision and plan that gamers disagree with, but to quickly apologize and pivot afterward seems to be a doubling down of failed direction. This is exactly what happened at the Xbox One reveal at E3 2013 when Xbox head Don Mattrick unveiled their next generation of consoles. Luckily for fans of Xbox Phil Spencer took over in the years that followed and he’s laid a foundation of trust and understanding. His track record shows that Xbox is primed for a great reveal of their next generation of consoles with Phil Spencer in charge. Microsoft can’t afford another 2013 reveal in 2019.
15 Theory: Family Of Consoles
This isn’t as much a theory as it is the future of Xbox moving forward. Phil Spencer and company have made it clear that services and software are their focus, but they want various options for people to jump into their ecosystem. If rumors are correct then we’ll be looking at a disc-less streaming and digital console that will be at a cheaper price point alongside a beefier Xbox One X type console for people looking for great performance at a steeper price. It wouldn’t be too surprised if they unveiled the third model a little over a year after the launch of their next generation family of consoles.
14 Needs To Have: Continued Strong Leadership
Phil Spencer is arguably the best and most fortunate thing that happened for Xbox. They managed to put someone in charge who not only understands the business side of things but is genuinely enthusiastic about video games and understands the shortcomings of Xbox and what they need to do to fix it. He knows their first party exclusive offerings aren’t the best and is actively working to fix that with studio acquisitions. As long as Phil Spencer continues to lead Xbox and continues to be the type of leader he’s already showcased himself to be, then Xbox is in good hands moving forward.
13 Theory: Stronger First Party Lineup
As previously mention Phil Spencer understands this is Xbox’s biggest and most glaring weakness when comparing them to both Nintendo and Sony. Spencer has been proactive about fixing this by acquiring new talent, forming new studios, as well as purchasing proven studios with high-quality resumes. When the next generation comes Xbox needs to prove that these moves will have real and substantial payoffs. If they’re able to prove to gamers that their first party will deliver fantastic experiences there’s no limit to the type of success they can have as the years go on.
12 Needs To Have: Strong Reveal At E3
There are rumors that the next generation of Xbox consoles will be revealed at E3 2019. With Sony taking a break from E3 this year it seems that Xbox might have the brightest and biggest stage all to themselves. Their reveal of the Xbox One was a huge disappointment and is often considered one of the worst. The console has survived and succeeded in its own right despite this, but Xbox can’t afford two reveal botches in a row. With Phil Spencer leading the way, they should have a stellar reveal and really show people why Xbox is the console of choice in the next generation. Here’s hoping it lands.
11 Theory: Halo Infinite Is A Launch Title
When Halo: Infinite was unveiled at Microsoft’s E3 2018 conference fans started speculating about when it would release. Xbox’s largest and most prestigious franchise is going in a refreshing and bold new direction on a brand new game engine so the timetable isn’t necessarily easily identifiable. Speculation is that it will be Xbox’s big showpiece title for their next generation of hardware alongside Forza Motorsport 8. Having a massive new experience set in their most popular IP could be a strong way to come out the gate. More often than not console launch lineups rarely have a game of Halo: Infinite’s magnitude.
10 Needs To Have: Streak Of Quality Exclusives
The conversation surrounding Xbox for the last couple of years hasn’t only been around their lack of console exclusive 1st party titles, but there’s also been a focus on the lack of high-quality on the ones they have managed to release. Their last 3 major console exclusive games that weren’t a Forza title, that being Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, and Crackdown 3 didn’t manage to receive anywhere near high critical praise. Xbox not only has to deliver a consistent cadence of exclusive games for their platform, but they also need to make sure they have a nice streak of titles come near PlayStation’s benchmark of AAA quality and reception.
9 Theory: Phil Spencer’s Course Correction
Even the most hardcore of Sony PlayStation fans can clearly see that Phil Spencer has turned the ship around over at Xbox ever since taking over. He’s managed to build new excitement for the platform and has made sure to communicate to gamers that they’re what matter most to him and the platform moving forward. We’ve seen a nice consistent pattern of pro-consumer moves by Spencer, so it shouldn’t be too crazy of a notion to believe that this will be changing with the next-generation of video game consoles. Look for Spencer and company to continue to try and provide the best value for the gamer.
8 Theory: Commitment To New IP
We’ve hammered home how there is a distinct lack of console exclusives for the Xbox platform in relation to both PlayStation and Nintendo. One of the big weaknesses for Xbox is simply legacy. The other two have a long history filled with historic IP and franchises that are remembered fondly. Outside of Halo, Gears of War, and Fable the Xbox platform doesn’t have a whole lot of original IP. Many people assume that their new AAAA studio in Santa Monica, The Initiative, is hard at work crafting a new IP. Xbox needs to make sure they’re not the only ones, and with their new collection of studios, there’s no longer an excuse.
7 Theory: 4K 60FPS
When it comes to the world of televisions and visual fidelity it seems that 4K being the standard in living rooms across the country is quickly approaching. Though not all gamers crave the highest visual fidelity available, there’s no doubt that 4K 60 frames per second need to be the marketing benchmarks that next-generation consoles need to pitch to compete with PCs in 2020 and beyond. Most gamers who care deeply about these things would probably tell you that they’d take 1080p 60fps over a 4k output with 30fps. Though Xbox might shoot for 4k 60fps, it might not be common among games released for a few years after launch.
6 Needs To Have: Successful New IP
So, we’re assuming that Xbox knows they need new IP to add to their barren stable of properties. They should also know that simply making new IP won’t cut it, their new IP needs to be successful and resonate with gamers. It’s impressive that Halo and Gears of War blew up into what they are now, but Xbox can’t rely on them forever. Success to Xbox can also mean a variety of things. With Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud, they could see engagement as a real indicator of success over pure sales numbers, though they would probably prefer obtaining both from their audience in the coming years.
