Xbox Unlikely to Receive Major Upgrade Soon, Microsoft Gaming Chief Reveals

As Microsoft wrapped up its annual Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday in Los Angeles, Video Gaming Chief Phil Spencer revealed that he does not feel an "imperative" to release a major upgrade for its Xbox Gaming console.

Diversified Game Delivery Strategy

Xbox is unlikely to receive a major upgrade soon as Video Gaming Chief Phil Spencer revealed that he does not feel an imperative to release it yet. According to an interview with Bloomberg after the annual Xbox Games Showcase, he stated that the company is pretty set on the hardware that they have right now.

"That's not the feedback we're getting right now," he stated. This is an unusual move from the company given that the Xbox Series S and X were both released in 2020 as part of the ninth generation of video game consoles.

Compared to its existent rivals that typically release upgrades about three years into a gaming machine's life, Microsoft made a different strategy. As of the moment, they compete against Sony's PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Spencer stated that Xbox is in third place behind these consoles.

Microsoft has been increasing its effort to diversify its strategy when it comes to game delivery as they make titles available through its gaming application on PCs and Game Pass subscription service. Spencer is now aiming for the players' wishes to help him determine product development.

Xbox Games Showcase 2023

Microsoft shared tons of information about new titles coming to Xbox. As per The Vegre's report, the biggest announcements include new trailers for Starfield, Fable, Star Wars: Outlaws, Cyberpunk 2077, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Avowed, Forza Motorsport, Clockwork Revolution, Persona 3 Reload, Infinite Wealth, and Overwatch 2: Invasion.

A new black Xbox Series S with 1TB of storage was also introduced during the showcase, made for fans who do not prefer the white variant. This will cost more expensive than the previous one, starting at $349, and will be available on September 1st.

Facing Setbacks

Microsoft's Xbox game console has been facing criticisms from fans, as they are being skeptical of the company's ability to develop games in-house successfully. When Arkane released the critically-panned first-person shooter game Redfall in May, Spencer admittedly said that he was disappointed along with the fans.

He also revealed that his team has not stepped into games that are still in development as he trusts the studio. He would rather help the team behind those games to realize their vision than come forward and tell them how to make their game better.

Microsoft has also been trying to acquire the biggest gaming deal yet, which is the $69 billion acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard. However, the Competition and Markets Authority of the United Kingdom has blocked this deal over concerns about potential dominance in the market. The Federal Trade Commission has also sued this deal to stop the acquisition.