Next-Gen Xbox: Full Windows, Free Multiplayer, and PC Hybrid

Next-Gen Xbox to Feature Full Windows, Backward Compatibility, and Free Online Multiplayer

Microsoft is reportedly preparing for a radical shift in its console strategy, according to information from industry insiders. The company’s next-generation Xbox console, rumored to be codenamed “Magnus” and potentially launching around 2027, is set to merge the console and PC experience, creating an unprecedentedly open gaming platform for players across the globe.

A True PC-Console Hybrid

The most significant change is the operating system.

• Full Windows OS: The next Xbox will reportedly run on a full version of Windows, rather than a modified console-only OS. A dedicated, TV-optimized, console-style interface (similar to the Xbox Full Screen Experience seen on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds) will be layered on top.
• Optional Windows Access: While the console will feel like a traditional Xbox out-of-the-box, players will have the option to exit the Xbox ecosystem and access the full Windows desktop. This flexibility will allow users to install and run third-party game launchers.
• Storefront Support: The move to Windows means the next Xbox could natively support games from rival platforms, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and GOG. This essentially turns the console into an accessible gaming PC for the living room.

Key Consumer-Friendly Features

The strategic shift is accompanied by two major features designed to appeal directly to gamers:

1. Free Online Multiplayer

Microsoft is reportedly planning to remove the paywall for online multiplayer on the next-gen Xbox console specifically.

• PC Logic: This change is seen as a necessary move because the new system will function essentially as a PC, where online multiplayer is typically free. Charging a subscription would incentivize users to simply install a rival storefront like Steam instead of using the native Xbox ecosystem for online games.
• Current Consoles: This change is rumored to apply only to the new hardware, meaning current Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One users will likely still need a Game Pass subscription to access online play for paid titles.

2. Full Backward Compatibility

The new console will be designed to run the entire legacy library natively.

• Native Support: The system is expected to be fully backward compatible with all games currently available on the Xbox Series X|S, including titles from the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. These games will run natively on the new hardware, without requiring cloud streaming.
• Performance Boosts: The next-gen hardware, rumored to feature a new AMD 3 nm chipset, will enhance the visuals and performance of legacy Xbox Series X|S games using AI-powered technologies like Auto Super Resolution upscaling and next-gen frame generation.

Xbox President Sarah Bond has previously hinted at this direction, describing the next console as a “premium, very high-end curated experience” that would not be “locked to a single store.”

Origin: Techspot