In a recent blog post, Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief, provided a glimpse into Microsoft’s strategy for the future of Xbox. The company’s roadmap is built on three key pillars: the development of groundbreaking games, the cultivation of a diverse creator community, and the democratization of gaming access worldwide.
Microsoft’s vision for Xbox is ambitious, with a pipeline of new games, an upgraded 1TB Series S console, and the extension of PC Game Pass to NVIDIA GeForce NOW. The company’s pledge to release at least four first-party games annually while also nurturing established franchises signals a commitment to content quality and variety.
Microsoft’s inclusivity efforts are evident in its support for creators of all sizes. The [email protected] program has already disbursed over $4 billion to more than 5,000 creators across 100 countries. The new Developer Acceleration Program is also making strides in amplifying underrepresented voices in the gaming industry.
Game Pass remains a cornerstone of Microsoft’s strategy, providing a platform for games to reach millions of members. Expanding PC Game Pass to an additional 46 markets, totaling 86, opens up new global audiences for game developers.
Microsoft is also striving to make gaming universally accessible. The introduction of the Xbox Series S, an affordable entry point to next-gen gaming, has attracted a significant number of newcomers to the Xbox platform. The company is also refining the user experience, with a new Home User Experience in the works to streamline console use.
Soon, Game Pass members will be able to stream select PC games from the library via Nvidia GeForce NOW, broadening the accessibility of the PC Game Pass catalog to a range of devices.
According to a report by Bloomberg, on June 11, 2023, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in an interview with Bloomberg News — just after the firm’s annual Xbox Games Showcase — that there are currently no plans to deliver a significant upgrade of Xbox hardware:
“That’s not the feedback we’re getting right now … Right now, we’re pretty set on the hardware we have.”
Featured Image Credit: Photo by “Billy Freeman” via Unsplash
