Microsoft's Next-Gen Xbox: AMD Partnership, Multi-Store Support, and Ecosystem Expansion

Microsoft's next-gen Xbox has an AMD chip inside and is 'not locked to a single store'

Tom Warren is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft is confirming today that it's working on a next-gen Xbox console in partnership with AMD. Xbox president Sarah Bond made the announcement in a minute-long video posted to YouTube, promising to deliver "an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device." Bond says Microsoft is partnering with AMD for a "strategic multi-year partnership" that will include the pair co-engineering silicon "across a portfolio of devices -- including our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands." The pair will also work together to build the next generation of Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft is making it clearer than ever that its next-gen Xbox platform will be focused on multiple devices and not locked to its own store for games. "This is all about building a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want -- delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device," says Bond. "That's why we're working closely with the Windows team to ensure Windows is the number one platform for gaming." The confirmation comes just days after Microsoft announced a partnership with Asus to launch two Xbox Ally handheld devices later this year -- complete with a new full-screen Xbox experience on Windows. This new Xbox experience runs on top of Windows, and means that the Xbox Ally devices can access other stores like Steam, and it appears that Microsoft is signaling the same for its next-gen Xbox console. I wrote last week in my Notepad newsletter that I'm more convinced than ever that Microsoft's next-gen Xbox console will be powered by Windows and be part of a number of devices from third parties that Microsoft also considers Xbox consoles. Bond's comments appear to suggest Windows is key to Microsoft's next-gen Xbox console plans, but one missing piece of the puzzle was backward compatibility for Xbox console games. Bond says this next generation of Xbox includes "maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games." So while the Xbox Ally devices won't run Xbox console games that don't have a PC counterpart later this year, next-gen Xbox consoles will. Here's Bond's full statement on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox console plans: That's why we're investing in our next-generation hardware lineup - across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories. I'm thrilled to share we've established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices -- including our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands. Together with AMD we're 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. This is all about building a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want -- delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device. That's why we're working closely with the Windows team to ensure Windows is the number one platform for gaming. The next-generation of Xbox is coming to life and this is just the beginning, we can't wait to show you what's next.

AMD to design processor for Xbox Next: Team Red extends long-standing Microsoft partnership

In a rather unexpected turn of events, Microsoft on Tuesday announced that it had extended its hardware partnership with AMD to include next-generation Xbox game consoles as well as portable devices. The partnership is set to last several years and span across multiple generations of desktop and portable hardware. "I am thrilled to share we have established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices including our next-generation Xbox consoles, in your living room, and in your hands," said Sarah Bond, president of Microsoft's Xbox business unit. The announcement is the first official confirmation that Microsoft is prepping a new generation of Xbox consoles for home as well as Xbox-branded portable gaming devices that will be a part of the Xbox ecosystem. As it turns out, all of these gaming systems will continue to use semi-custom processors designed by AMD that will offer considerably higher performance than the existing Scarlett system-on-chips (SoC) powering Xbox Series X while maintaining backwards compatibility. That backwards compatibility likely means continued reliance on Zen CPU cores based on the x86 instruction set architecture (ISA) as well as on AMD's Radeon graphics processing units. "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," said Bond. Microsoft did not reveal when it expects Xbox Next to become available, though typically the company makes formal announcements of next-generation consoles about 1.5 years before releasing them to market. For example, Microsoft announced its project Scarlett Xbox Series X at E3 trade show in mid-2019 and released it in late 2020. If the company follows the same release pattern, expect Xbox Next to arrive in time for holiday season 2026. Given the timing, it is reasonable to expect the next Xbox console to use an SoC featuring custom Zen 6 CPU cores and an RDNA 5 GPU, though we are speculating here. A particularly intriguing part of the announcement is a confirmation of Xbox-branded portable consoles. Although handheld PC gaming systems took off after Valve released its Steam Deck in 2022 and now there are half a dozen interesting competitors, these portable consoles are still a niche market. Nonetheless, it looks like Microsoft Xbox sees a strong potential for portable consoles and plans to release one of its own based on a custom processor. "At Xbox, our vision is for you to play the games you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want," said Bond. "That is why we are investing in our next-generation hardware lineup, across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories. [...] The next generation of Xbox is coming to life, and this is just the beginning. We cannot wait to show you what's next." The announcement also highlights Microsoft's ambition to support gaming on multiple platforms beyond traditional devices like consoles, handhelds, or PCs, which likely means expanded compatibility between Xbox and Windows machines going forward. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that is always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device," added Bond. That is why we are working closely with the Windows team, to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming."

How AMD's partnership with Microsoft could help Team Red stay competitive against Nvidia

Microsoft announced this week that it had extended its partnership with AMD, who will be designing the chips to go in the company's next-generation Xbox games consoles. While it might seem like an obvious bet, this is still a big win for AMD, and potentially for consumers, too. For AMD, this represents a long-tail partnership with likely tens of millions of chip orders over the life of the next-generation console, and even more when you factor in Microsoft's language around expanding portable gaming options. But for the end-consumers, who have increasingly felt like an afterthought to gaming graphics (and now AI) giant, Nvidia, this is a commitment from AMD to maintain a significant stake in the gaming segment. Microsoft's approach with Xbox is a far cry from Nintendo, whose console designs don't require cutting-edge hardware. In general, Microsoft's Xbox lineup has always aimed at higher-end enthusiast users, rather than the lifestyle segment, which Nintendo targets. The next-gen Xbox will need to be powerful, which means that AMD needs to continue to remain competitive in terms of both graphical performance and efficiency. As much as Microsoft's announcement was likely a welcome one for AMD, this is what many industry pundits expected of a future next-generation Xbox console. Microsoft has used AMD hardware for its past two generations of the console, starting with the Xbox One. Combining AMD CPUs with AMD GPUs has proven a potent combination, despite Nvidia's dominance in GPUs on PC. Sticking with AMD for another generation might also help keep things straightforward for Microsoft and game developers. Sticking with AMD might ease backward compatibility between different generations of Xbox consoles, which ensures that the new-generation system has a large software library on day one, even if the launch lineup isn't extensive. Game developers who have been working on Xbox games in the past will also find it easier if the hardware is just new-generations of the same thing. The Xbox Series X/S uses a custom Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU, so a next-generation Xbox may be likely to use newer generations of both those architectural designs. As for what that new hardware will be, all we have is speculation for now. However, with AMD's regular release cadence and a history of launching new consoles with new hardware around the same time as their desktop counterparts, we can make some educated guesses about what the "Next Xbox" will have under the hood. The Xbox One featured a custom AMD APU using Jaguar modules, which launched in mid-2013, a few months before the Xbox One hit store shelves. The Xbox Series X used Zen 2 and RDNA 2, which launched in mid-2019 and end-2020, respectively. All very close to the console's November 2020 launch. With rumors pointing to a late 2026 or early 2027 launch for a next-generation home Xbox console, that would put it in line to leverage AMD's latest hardware at the time: purportedly Zen 6 CPUs and RDNA 5 graphics. Or, it might even potentially use the first iteration of AMD's planned UDNA architecture, which it teased last year. It's less clear what hardware we might see in future Xbox handheld systems that were also hinted at in the partnership announcement. But considering AMD's Z-series mobile APUs have been used in many recent handhelds, including the Xbox Ally X from Asus, it'll probably be a successive generation of that. Zen 6 APU, anyone? Arguably, the greater speculation for the next-generation Xbox is what software it will run. Where Xbox consoles to date have run a custom Xbox System Software package, it has grown increasingly tied to Windows with each successive generation. The latest Xbox Series X/S console is based on the Windows 11 core operating system. Microsoft's recent tie-in with Asus for its Ally X handheld Xbox gaming system just runs on a standard Windows install, too, raising speculation that the next Xbox may be based on Windows. It might have an Xbox theme or UI flourishes, but ultimately, it'll likely be something very similar. It makes sense, given the way consoles have become increasingly capable and PC-like in recent generational releases, and Microsoft has started shifting its marketing to potentially lay some groundwork for this shift. It has recently started using the "Xbox PC" branding, or it could be an effort to encourage game streaming from Xbox. But, it also sounds very much like it's attempting to unify the message that anything could be an Xbox, including Windows. This could be crucial for Microsoft, as Linux has become a real competitor in the gaming space, especially thanks to devices like the Steam Deck, and the more widespread adoption of gaming on Linux using desktop PCs. It could also be the case that Microsoft would be looking to leverage its console's name recognition and existing install base to shore up support for gaming on Windows. In a callback to console exclusivity, which was more common in consoles of generations past, Microsoft could pitch Xbox and Windows as coexistent and comingled gaming platforms, shunning SteamOS and other Linux-based equivalents, which have their own unique selling points. Indeed, consoles are often pitched as simpler and more streamlined than PCs for gaming. Microsoft could use Xbox to make the case that Windows is still that option for gamers, too. As beneficial as this move will be for Microsoft, though, it's arguably a much bigger win for AMD. Its gaming revenue was down significantly in the first quarter of 2025, so securing probable orders of tens of millions of future chips for next-gen consoles is money that AMD can bank on heavily moving forward. This also gives AMD additional reason to continue investing in areas where it still falls behind its main rival, Nvidia. Team Green has been one step ahead of AMD in ray tracing and AI upscaling since it unveiled the first generation of those technologies in 2018. While AMD has caught up significantly, it's very clear that Nvidia is the global AI king and is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. However, Nvidia's chip shortages in an unstable global trade environment, its major focus on data centers and "AI factories," and its near-monopolistic position in the industry could leave companies looking for alternatives. AMD doesn't have the kind of hardware Nvidia has, nor the software ecosystems to back it up. But it can still produce very capable hardware and impressive software. The potential is there for more than one major company in the gaming space, and AMD's extended partnership with Microsoft could help to keep the wheels greased to keep competing on an enthusiast level. For Nvidia, gaming now represents less than 10% of its yearly revenue; it's a much smaller part of a business that is now oriented primarily around AI and enterprise hardware. AMD being known as the power behind a next-generation games console (and probably Sony's too, considering the pattern in recent generations) keeps it front-and-center in people's minds. It keeps developers working with AMD hardware and software, too, which can only help improve adoption and support elsewhere. AMD isn't going to jump from being a multi-hundred-billion-dollar company to a multi-trillion-dollar company overnight just because of one announcement, but this is a big one. And if AMD can play its cards right, it has the potential to become more agile at competing in the enthusiast GPU market.

Xbox's AMD partnership sheds light on the future of the division's ecosystem

Microsoft could be about to better unify its console, PC and fledgling handheld platforms. Microsoft has no plans to get out of the console business anytime soon. The company has been reiterating for a while that it's going to make at least one more generation of Xbox consoles. It's now been confirmed that AMD will power the upcoming hardware, . Xbox president Sarah Bond made the announcement in . Under the multi-year partnership, Xbox and AMD 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," Bond said. A leaked presentation from May 2022 (which was part of the massive Xbox leak the following year) indicated that Microsoft had yet to make a decision about the processor and GPU for the next Xbox console(s), suggesting in one slide that it planned to strike an agreement with AMD to supply those and in another that it yet had to make an "Arm64 decision." As we now know, the company is doubling down with AMD. On the surface, the AMD agreement is the main news coming out of Bond's announcement. But, if you read between the lines, there are lots of other interesting details to tease out from what she said in the short video. For one thing, the AI aspect of Bond's carefully crafted statement lines up with details in the leak (and ) about Microsoft embracing artificial intelligence and machine learning in future Xbox games, including for things like AI agents. So the company is likely to keep going down that path. Bond said that Microsoft and AMD will "co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices including our next-generation Xbox consoles, in your living room and in your hands," implying that the company is planning more handhelds beyond the that are coming later this year. Those are also powered by AMD. In addition, Bond said the next-gen of Xbox devices will maintain "compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games." Xbox has made a commitment to backward compatibility, but that's still welcome to hear. Those are fairly interesting nuggets, no doubt, but there were two other things Bond said that I think are starting to shed more light on the future of the Xbox ecosystem. First, she said that her team is "building you a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device." That "single store" phrasing is a chin stroker, especially in light of the new user interface Xbox is making for the ROG handhelds. The Windows-powered devices won't only allow users to play games from the Xbox PC app, Xbox consoles via remote play and the cloud. They'll integrate games from other PC storefronts, such as Battle.net (which is run by Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard), Steam, GOG and more. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass users have long as part of their subscriptions. Ubisoft+ is . Perhaps this concept of not being "locked to a single store" will start to work in other ways. Valve said a few years ago that it would be happy to , for instance. Likewise, Microsoft has said it would Steam and the Epic Games Store app onto its PC app store (though Valve and Epic probably wouldn't want to give Microsoft a cut of game sales). Maybe we might finally see those come to fruition in the next few years. But how might those integrations work on an Xbox console? Bond hinted at that too. She said Xbox is "working closely with the Windows team to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming." Sure, that could be a reference to PC gaming. But Bond didn't explicitly state that, which has me wondering if the next Xbox console might be more of a Windows PC that sits under your TV. That would align with a few months back by Jez Corden of Windows Central, who the next Xbox is "a PC, in essence, but with a TV-friendly shell." As with the likes of the Steam Deck and other handheld PCs, this would potentially give game developers a specific set of specifications to work with (though ensuring their games are optimized for as many desktop and laptop configurations as possible will still be a complex task). Perhaps the user interface Xbox is debuting on the Ally X devices is a sign of things to come on larger displays. Moreover, the Xbox and Windows teams are stripping out unnecessary aspects of the operating system in the Xbox Ally handhelds to make them run more efficiently. What's to stop them from doing the same in the next Xbox console? That could enable Xbox to offer a more unified ecosystem across all platforms, while streamlining things for developers who want to make games for both PC and Xbox. Don't forget that Microsoft has been making a real effort to on ARM-based processors as part of its Copilot+ PC push. We might have to wait two or three more years to get a fuller sense of Microsoft's vision for the future of Xbox consoles. But it certainly has the opportunity to knit its platforms more closely together and make playing Xbox (and PC) games across devices a more seamless experience.

Next-gen Xbox to support Steam, Epic, and more - consoles will run on AMD chips

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: Xbox president Sarah Bond has confirmed that Microsoft's next game console will support titles from multiple digital storefronts and maintain backward compatibility. Additionally, a newly announced agreement with AMD suggests that an official Xbox handheld is still in development. All of Microsoft's upcoming consoles (whatever they are) are expected to be AMD powered. Microsoft's hardware-agnostic video game business model and its responses to Valve's Steam Deck have recently sparked speculation that its next console might fully abandon walled gardens. This announcement from the head of Xbox has confirmed many details from earlier rumors and alleviated concerns about legacy console back catalogs. In a one-minute video, Bond explains that Microsoft will co-develop processors with AMD for multiple new devices aimed at both living room and handheld use. The companies indicated that the upcoming silicon will feature next-generation graphics and incorporate AI in some capacity. While Bond didn't specifically mention Steam, she stated that Microsoft is developing a platform that will support multiple stores and devices. Overall, the plan appears to be an evolution of the recently announced Xbox Ally handhelds that run Windows OS. The upcoming portable devices from Asus replace the traditional Windows desktop with a controller-friendly frontend that incorporates Steam, the Epic Games Store, Game Pass, and Microsoft Store software to create a console-like PC gaming experience. Their lack of backward compatibility with Xbox Series, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles remains the only missing piece of the puzzle. The AMD partnership, in itself, isn't surprising - AMD has produced the CPUs and GPUs for every Xbox console since the 360, as well as for the PlayStation 4 and 5. However, Microsoft's announcement confirms that its future devices won't use off-the-shelf AMD chips like the Ryzen AI Z2, which powers the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. This may also contradict previous reports that Microsoft had canceled internal plans for an official portable Xbox in favor of supporting existing handheld PCs. If AMD is helping develop multiple custom chipsets, at least one of them could diverge from the Ryzen AI Z family to power a more bespoke, backward-compatible Microsoft handheld system. AMD is also collaborating with Sony to develop an SoC for the PlayStation 6, based on the upcoming Zen 6 and RDNA architectures. Whether Microsoft will adopt the same architectures remains unclear. According to rumors, Sony, like Microsoft, is planning to release a handheld companion to the PS6.

Microsoft partners with AMD on next generation of Xbox

Microsoft announced a strategic, multi-year agreement with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including the next-generation Xbox consoles. The company said it will deliver deeper visual quality, immersive gameplay, and AI-powered experiences -- grounded in a platform designed for players, not tied to a single store or device, and fully compatible with your existing Xbox game library, said Sarah Bond, president of Xbox. It's no surprise, considering AMD has also partnered with Xbox on the two previous generations of game consoles now, and Microsoft is due to start announcing its next generation of hardware. This agreement has probably been in place for a while since it takes multiple years to finalize a console. In this case, it likely means that Microsoft is working with AMD on a custom design for its main upcoming game console, and it could also use AMD for Windows-related hardware as well as the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds that the company announced last week at the Summer Game Fest. Microsoft and Sony are clearly working on their next generation consoles, and they probably don't want to lag too far behind on the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 that debuted on June 5. However, Xbox's main competition has always been Sony, and we'll see if both companies launch their systems in the same year again, as they did in 2020. Microsoft said it will work with AMD to power next-generation gaming experiences across devices, including consoles, PC, handheld, and cloud. The collaboration aims to uplevel the player experience by delivering advanced graphics with enhanced visual quality, more immersive gameplay using the power of AI, and compatibility with a player's existing Xbox games library. Together, Xbox and AMD hope to enable play across devices in entirely new ways, delivering an Xbox experience designed for players - without being confined to a single store or tied to one device. At the same time, Xbox is continuing to work more closely with the Windows team to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming.

Xbox president Sarah Bond announces that Xbox has formed a 'strategic multi-year partnership' with AMD for its next generation of consoles, handhelds and accessories

Xbox is beginning to talk about its next generation hardware in earnest now, as president Sarah Bond has announced a "strategic multi-year partnership" with tech giant AMD. In a video uploaded to Xbox's official YouTube channel, Bond accentuates the 'play anywhere' mantra that's formed the nucleus of the Xbox brand for the past few years. "At Xbox, our vision is for you to play the games you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want," explains Bond, adding that Xbox is now "investing in our next-generation hardware lineup across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories." Bond says that by partnering with AMD, Xbox promises 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". 'AI' is a buzzword that Microsoft likes to throw around a lot, and it's understandable if the notion of it prevailing on Xbox has you feeling a little uneasy given the rise of generative AI content in recent years. In truth, the use of AI here will likely boil down to helpful technologies, such as resolution upscaling (like we see with PS5 Pro's bespoke PSSR) and frame generation for smoother performance overall. As such, we could see something similar to PSSR implemented on next-generation Xbox consoles. As for handhelds, we've already seen the announcement of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, two gaming handhelds designed around playing Xbox Game Pass games on the go. Both are set to launch sometime in 2025, as per last week's Xbox Games Showcase. In better news, Bond also seems to confirm full backwards compatibility with Xbox's next generation, stating that new hardware will maintain "compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games." It's reasonably safe to assume that counts Xbox Series X|S games, though the jury remains out on Xbox One and classic Xbox and Xbox 360 titles. Lastly, it seems that Xbox will be sticking to the Windows ecosystem for its next generation of hardware. Bond confirms Xbox is "working closely with the Windows team, to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming." So don't be expecting a return to the iconic Xbox 360 'blades' dashboard that millions have a fondness for.

Microsoft announces multi-year deal with AMD to make next-gen Xbox, powered by new AI chips

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. BREAKING: Xbox gaming president Sarah Bond confirms Microsoft is working closely with AMD to co-engineer new Ryzen AI chips specifically for gaming. Microsoft today confirmed a big multi-year deal with AMD to create new AI-enabled chips for the next wave of Xbox devices. These new chips will centered around AI, similar to the Ryzen AI chips in the new Xbox Ally X handheld, and Xbox president Sarah Bond announced that the next-gen Xbox will "unlock a deeper quality of visual fidelity and immersive gameplay experiences" through the power of artificial intelligence. Microsoft also wants this so-called "new Xbox platform" to deliver games and content across multiple devices in an Xbox experience that's "not locked to a single store," potentially indicating that the rumors are correct and these new-gen Xbox consoles may also run Windows. Here's what Sarah Bond said in today's announcement: At Xbox, our vision is to play the games you want with the people you want, anywhere you want. That's why we're investing in our next-generation hardware lineup across console, handheld, PC, cloud and accessories. I'm thrilled to share we've established a strategic, multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles. In your living room, and in your hands. Together with AMD we're advancing a state of art of 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. This is all about building you a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to a single device. That's why we're working closely with the Windows team to ensure Windows is the #1 platform for gaming. The next generation of Xbox is coming to life and this is just the beginning.

Microsoft's plan for Xbox is to make Windows the 'number one platform for gaming'

It's all but confirmed that the next-generation Xbox console, like the ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld, will be Windows-powered device and gaming PC. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. With the recent announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds from Microsoft and the Xbox team, which will introduce a new Xbox-focused version of Windows 11 when it launches later this year, the company gave us our first look at its plans for the next Xbox console and the future of Xbox gaming. Earlier today, we reported on Xbox President Sarah Bond's announcement that it has partnered with AMD to co-engineer silicon for next-generation consoles. This part of the announcement is business as usual. For generations, Sony and Microsoft have been developing custom CPU and GPU hardware for PlayStation and Xbox consoles. However, this "multi-year" partnership now extends to a "portfolio of devices," including handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, as the handheld's Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip features prominently in the announcement video from Sarah Bond. Perhaps the announcement's most interesting and telling statement was when Sarah Bond confirmed that the Xbox team is "working closely with the Windows team to ensure Windows is the number one platform for gaming." This confirms the rumors that Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console will be more like a PC than a console, running a custom version of Windows that will boot straight into an Xbox interface. This will allow the company and "console" to support multiple platforms, from its Xbox and Game Pass services to Steam, Battle.net, the Epic Games Store, and more. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to a single device," Sarah Bond confirms. It's a definite shift for Xbox and opens the door for companies like ASUS to create their own Xbox/PC console hybrids for the next generation. This announcement could see Xbox shift its focus to licensing hardware (and effectively stop making consoles) and focus on software and services, which would see the PlayStation 6 become the only traditional console when it launches. The good news is that this announcement confirms that even with this shift, Xbox Series X owners who upgrade will have access and still be able to play all of the games they own, as the next-gen Xbox will be backward compatible with existing Xbox consoles. It'll be interesting to see how much of this is present on the ROG Xbox Ally when it launches, as the assumption is that the handheld will double as a test for a Windows PC as an Xbox console.

AMD on next-gen Xbox: 'We'll go beyond making custom chips for Xbox consoles'

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. AMD's Lisa Su comments on Microsoft's next-gen Xbox and how the two companies are building a fleet of gaming-oriented AI chips specifically for Xbox devices. Two days ago, Microsoft confirmed it wasn't leaving the hardware market and announced plans for its next-gen Xbox console. The 10th generation Xbox will be powered by new special AI chips made by AMD in a sizable multi-year deal. Now AMD CEO Lisa Su delivers updates on the partnership and what to expect from the next-gen Xbox, and from AMD, in the future. "Moving forward, AMD will go beyond building custom chips for Xbox consoles to designing a full roadmap of gaming-optimized chips combining the power of Ryzen and Radeon for consoles, handhelds, PCs and the cloud." One comment stood out--the mention of AMD moving beyond creating custom console chips for Microsoft, possibly indicating that the new Xbox will be more standardized like, say, a PC, and not use customized chips (PCs and consoles are typically only separated by their OS and hardware adjustments). Microsoft has not explicitly confirmed the next-gen Xbox will be a PC that is able to boot up Windows games, to be clear, but recent comments made from Xbox president Sarah Bond indicate this is a possibility. Here's what Dr. Su said: AMD and Microsoft are advancing a bold, shared vision for the future of gaming, one that enables seamless gameplay across any screen, placing gamers at the center of the experience anywhere. We're so excited to be deepening our relationship with Microsoft and build on the over two decades of partnership innovation and trust. From the earliest days of the Xbox 360, to the most advanced consoles such as the Xbox Series X and S, and the recently announced ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. Moving forward, AMD will go beyond building custom chips for Xbox consoles to designing a full roadmap of gaming-optimized chips combining the power of Ryzen and Radeon for consoles, handhelds, PCs and the cloud. And we're doing it all with backwards compatibility, so gamers can access their favorite titles across platforms, delivering on a promise to both gamers and developers. Together, we are building a vibrant, open ecosystem that delivers the next generation of graphics and immersive gameplay, powered by AI that includes new foundational models to accelerate the state of the art in rendering. From console to cloud to handheld, AMD and Microsoft are building the future of immersive gaming. We are so excited to be working with Microsoft to bring all of this tech to gamers everywhere.

Microsoft Teases Multiple Gaming Devices And Next-Gen Xbox As It Doubles Down On Windows

What is an Xbox? The answer to that has never been more confusing, but a new promo video from Microsoft teasing the future of its next-gen gaming hardware lineup gives an important clue: Windows. The company said it wants the OS to be the number one platform for gaming as it doubles down on a new multiplatform strategy that supports a variety of devices rather than being locked to a single console or storefront. "I am thrilled to share we've established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices including our next-generation Xbox consoles, in your living room and in your hands," Xbox president Sarah Bond said in a new video touting the partnership. "Together with AMD we're 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." The announcement comes after Microsoft recently revealed the Xbox Ally handhelds, variants of Asus' next iteration of portable PC gaming devices that run a special version of Windows optimized to recreate the Xbox UI experience on the go. It's part of a "Play Anywhere" promise that includes PC, existing Series X/S consoles, Game Pass on TVs, cloud gaming, and first-party exclusives ported to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. It all sounds like a promising pivot away from the company's shrinking console business, but it also raises lots of questions about what the future of Xbox will actually look like. A new generation of Xbox consoles is coming, but will they be traditional consoles or mini-PC devices running an evolving version of Windows? Bond stresses compatibility with existing players' current libraries of Xbox games, but most Xbox games haven't been ported to PC and would need specialty solutions to maintain access at the hardware level rather than just making them playable with cloud gaming like Sony does with the PS3 generation. Will it even have a disc drive? Increasingly, the vibe appears to be no. Bond also emphasizes that the future of Xbox isn't tied to a single store or device, once again opening the door to new hardware potentially supporting things like Steam, which has traditionally been a competitor to Windows gaming. Then there's the bit about working to "ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming." Unless that's simply a nod to the fact that most PCs people play games on also run Windows, it sounds like a hint that the foundation of Xbox's future will be Microsoft's current cash cow OS with an Xbox layer overtop, rather than a bespoke platform built from the ground up for gaming as Xbox has previously been. The Verge's Tom Warren suggested as much in his breakdown of the Xbox Ally last week. "Everything, everywhere, whenever you want" is a compelling marketing pitch that could easily become bedeviled by the details. As it stands, no single company controls as many pieces of the puzzle as Microsoft -- software, hardware, and a massive publishing apparatus -- but that doesn't mean they will magically all start fitting together in a way that makes sense or doesn't require tons of extra investment. And the other truth about Xbox at the moment is it seems burdened more than ever by they need to justify its P&L to the larger company, which is otherwise all but obsessed with cloud computing and AI.

Next-Gen Xbox Will Run on AMD Chip, Not Be 'Locked to a Single Store'

Microsoft said Xbox experience won't be locked to a single storefront Microsoft is partnering with AMD to work on the next-generation Xbox consoles. The company announced Tuesday it had signed a multi-year agreement with AMD to co-develop chipsets for its slate of future devices, including the next-generation Xbox consoles. In a brief video announcement, Xbox president Sarah Bond also said the next-generation Xbox experience would not be locked to a single store or device, suggesting at an open platform that could support third-party stores like Steam. The announcement comes on the heels of the Xbox Games Showcase, where Microsoft unveiled the first Xbox-branded handheld gaming PC manufactured by Asus. The ROG Xbox Ally runs a full-screen Xbox experience on top of Windows, thus allowing other PC storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on the device. Bond said the next-generation Xbox platform will "unlock a deeper level of visual quality and immersive gameplay and player experiences, enhanced with the power of AI." The executive confirmed the next-generation Xbox consoles will be backwards compatible with players' existing library of Xbox games. Microsoft seems to be doubling down on Xbox as a platform not tied to a console, but existing across supported devices like handhelds, PCs and smart TVs, natively and via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Crucially, the company also seems to be suggesting that the next Xbox console would be a Windows-centric device, running Xbox games alongside supporting third-party storefronts, just like the ROG Xbox Ally devices. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that's always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device," Bond said. "That's why we're working closely with the Windows team, to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming." AMD silicon powers the current-generation Xbox Series S/X, with both consoles running on a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU. The new Xbox Ally handhelds feature AMD chipsets, as well, with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme and the Ryzen Z2 A powering the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally, respectively. Back in February 2024, Microsoft had teased its next-generation Xbox consoles and said it was focussed on delivering the "largest technical leap" for a new console generation for the next Xbox.

"Next-generation Xbox consoles" at the heart of Microsoft's new "multi-year agreement" with AMD: "The next generation of Xbox is coming to life"

While Xbox increasingly pursues a multiplatform strategy, it's not giving up on hardware yet. Microsoft has just announced a "multi-year agreement" with AMD for new hardware across a variety of device types, including next-generation consoles. "The collaboration aims to uplevel the player experience by delivering advanced graphics with enhanced visual quality, more immersive gameplay using the power of AI, and compatibility with players' existing Xbox games library," the company says in a press release. "Together, Xbox and AMD hope to enable play across devices in entirely new ways, delivering an Xbox experience designed for players - without being confined to a single store or tied to one device." While this covers a wide variety of device types, including PC, handheld, and cloud hardware, Xbox president Sarah Bond specifically calls out "next-generation Xbox consoles" in a video message to fans.

I think the ROG Xbox Ally X can tell us a surprising amount about the "next-generation of Xbox"

When I sat down with leaders from the Xbox hardware and Xbox ecosystem divisions a couple of weeks ago, it was to get an early look at two new consoles. The ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, handheld gaming PCs that have been brought to life as part of a surprise collaboration between ASUS, Xbox, AMD, and the Windows division at Microsoft. What became clear is that this isn't the existing ROG Ally systems with a simple Xbox rebrand, but rather an effort to finely tune the internal hardware and operating system to make a Windows-powered handheld feel as if it's a part of the broader Xbox ecosystem. I also started to wonder whether this work was a sign of what's to come from Xbox - an open borders approach to building a sustainable platform, unlike anything we've seen from any of the primary competitors in the console market. What I didn't expect was for Xbox president Sarah Bond to come out this week and suggest exactly that. "At Xbox, our vision is for you to play the games that you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want. That's why we're investing in our next generation hardware lineup across console, PC, cloud, and accessories," says Bond. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that always stays with you. So that you can play the games that you want, across devices, anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store, or tied to one device." With this statement, and news that Xbox entered into a "multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicone across a platform of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles", it's worth reevaluating the ROG Xbox Ally X to see what it may suggest about the future of Xbox hardware. Let's start with what we know. The next Xbox console will be powered by AMD chips, just like the Xbox Series X. What we don't know is why artificial intelligence is part of the conversation. "Together with AMD, we are advancing the state of art in gaming silicon to deliver the next-generation in graphics innovation to unlock a deeper level of visual quality, immersive gameplay, and player experiences enhanced with the power of AI," says Bond. It remains unclear how artificial intelligence is going to enhance the way games play or how we play them, but this isn't the first time that I've heard an Xbox leader talk about AI this month. The ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, which Roanne Sones - the CVP of gaming devices and ecosystem at Xbox - explains was a "proactive decision on our part to put AI acceleration with dedicated silicon into a handheld form factor." As for the benefits of AI-powered gaming, I'm still a little fuzzy on the details - just like everybody else - although this AMD partnership does mean that the next-gen Xbox won't have DLSS support, which is the AI upscaling technology Nvidia has deployed on PC and Switch 2 with solid results in boosting performance and system efficiency. "Fundamentally, it's hardware's job to push the boundaries of what could be possible, put that into the hands of players, and then just let developers dream about what can now be done," says Sones of the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor. "It's a little bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, because until we forward bet with the hardware you're never going to get the experiences to really be realized." Sones also points to the importance of AI being introduced through dedicated silicon, so that "as the innovations come, it's not going to take away from the processing power of the hardware and the performance of the actual gameplay, which is so fundamentally important to what we're building with these products." Another AI element coming to ROG Xbox Ally systems is via a microphone built into the console, a future-proofing mechanism. "We do believe that the way you will interact with AI is through the voice. It's the natural way that I think all humans are going to talk to devices in the future." I can only speculate here, but I do get the sense that the work being done on the ROG Xbox Ally X is an early indication of the direction Xbox is moving. Does that mean that next-generation Xbox controllers will come with a microphone built-in as standard, allowing you to interface directly with a console in a strange sort-of revival of some Kinect functionality? Not necessarily, Sones is talking specifically about application of AI in a handheld form-factor here; but I also know that it's rare for large companies to invest in (and iterate) new technologies unless it has long-term strategic value. While the operating system that powers your Xbox Series X is undoubtedly based on Windows, it is worlds apart from the experience of interfacing with the Xbox app on PC or handheld PCs right now. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that one of the biggest impediments to the Game Pass and Play Anywhere initiatives proliferating more widely to PC players - enough to attract them away from Steam or the Epic Games Store - is because of the quality of that Xbox app experience. It can be rough. The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, running on an optimized Windows 11 OS, may change this. "Windows and Xbox, arguably these two organizations have existed separately," says Sones. "So this product has really brought the teams together to work in a very meaningful way." Jason Beaumont, VP of experiences and platforms at Xbox, adds: "We took a lot of the devs who have been working for 20-plus years on the Xbox OS, and they began working on the Windows code base." When you power on either of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, you're met with a new full-screen Xbox experience that is exceptionally similar to the one you'd find on Series X. You can easily navigate between your library, recently played games, and more. It also disables a lot of the functions of Windows that are surplus to gaming until you need them. This streamlined OS is one of the reasons why I'm choosing to invest in the ROG Xbox Ally X later this year, rather than just jump at the standard ROG Ally X right now. "The full screen experience is really a game changer that we've developed in partnership with Windows. It lets Xbox be your gaming home," says Dominique Gordon, senior product manager lead at Xbox. "This isn't just like the Xbox app running on top of Windows. What's actually happening behind the scenes here is that a bunch of components of Windows that don't have to be required for gaming aren't even loaded, giving all of that power back to your games." This, Gordon says, is "the power of Xbox with the full freedom you expect from Windows." It's also an exceptional amount of work. Everybody I've spoken to at Xbox says that this sort of cross-collaboration was necessary to realize its ambition of moving into the handheld space, but there's a part of me that wonders whether it's an early indicator of the future of Xbox's platform - potentially even stretching into home console territory. Here's Beaumont again, speaking about this collaboration between Xbox, Windows, AMD, and ASUS. "We have these four teams working together to continually iterate and refine this [handheld PC] experience. If you've played Xbox in the past, you'll know that the features you see on day one aren't the ones that you see on day 30, let alone 60 or 90... As excited as I am for the launch of these handhelds, I'm actually more excited for all the updates that are going to keep coming from our collaboration." The idea that Xbox's next home console will essentially be a PC is sure to leave some feeling a little uneasy. I know that I've always veered towards console gaming because of the simplicity; where new games come out of the box optimized and ready to go on my hardware, and the only distraction from my gaming experience is a few notifications that friends want to party up and play. Still, if the Windows and Xbox teams have genuinely found a way to combine the flexibility of Windows with the focus of the Xbox platform then I'm willing to keep an open mind here. Of everything that Bond had to say about 'next-generation Xbox' there was one comment that really caught my attention. "This is all about building you a gaming platform that always stays with you. So that you can play the games that you want, across devices, anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store, or tied to one device." It's that last line, hinting towards a single point of entry for all of your games, which is where I really wonder whether Xbox's next-gen home console will take the final form of this newfound collaboration between the Xbox and Windows divisions. One of the best features of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds is this aggregated gaming library, giving you quick access to all of your games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, Steam, and other PC-based storefronts. "Because the ROG Xbox Ally is Windows, you can launch and play your PC games natively from both Xbox as well as other PC game stores," says Brianna Potvin, principal software engineering lead at Xbox. "You can also stream your console games through cloud gaming or remote play. What this means is that your whole library, including hundreds of Game Pass games, all of your installed games from leading third-party storefronts, is with you everywhere you go." While the ROG Xbox Ally will only play Xbox games that have PC versions natively, that won't be true of Xbox's next-gen hardware. Bond has already confirmed that Microsoft is "maintaining compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games" so there is still a console component in place here for whatever Xbox ultimately does next. Still, this aggregated gaming library is a feature that really sells me on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds over Valve's Steam Deck. All of my games, no matter which storefronts they are scattered between, available from within one ecosystem at the press of a button. It's the sort of featureset that could prove to be a real differentiator in the market if Xbox is able to bring all of this work to a home console environment. Is there a world in which I could, from the comfort of my couch, stream or remote play video games I just so happen to own from one of the various PC storefronts? Let's push it one step further. If the hardware and OS powering a next-gen Xbox console is more aligned with a Windows-based machine, is there a world in which my PC games could play natively, upscaled by AI automated systems, while I still enjoy the benefits of titles that are optimized specifically for console hardware? Xbox, Windows, AMD, and ASUS are already putting the work in. The question we should all be asking now is where it will materialize next. This is what I'll be looking out for in the years ahead. I suspect we won't see the Xbox Series X successor arrive until 2028 at the earliest, although maybe - just maybe - it's the ROG Xbox Ally X and Xbox app for PC that could provide a light in the dark while we wait.

Xbox confirms new next-generation consoles in partnership with AMD

To anyone who thinks that Microsoft might be moving away from the console market, Sarah Bond has other things to say. In a video shared on Tuesday afternoon, the President of Xbox announced a partnership with AMD to power "their next-generation hardware lineup", specifying "across console, handheld, PC, cloud and accesories". Microsoft is determined in bringing the "next generation of graphics innovation to unlock a deeper level of visual quality and immersive gameplay experiences", powered by AI. However, while it's explicitly said that Microsoft will bring new, next-generation consoles, they insist on their idea of having the same Xbox experience on consolas, PC or any devided with Cloud Gaming, "not locked to a single store or tied to a one device". Instead, they add that Windows must be the number one platform for gaming. We may be still years ago to see the new Xbox generation, but the best news of all is that Microsoft will ensure that they will "maintain compatibility with your existing library of Xbox games", addressing one of the biggest concerns of Xbox players who have been purchasing digital games since the Xbox 360.

Microsoft Confirms Next-Gen Xbox Consoles Powered by AMD

As per the announcement, backward compatibility and cross-device support are core to Xbox's future vision. Microsoft has officially confirmed that it is building the next-gen Xbox consoles, and it is teaming up once again with AMD to power the future of gaming. In a short announcement video, Xbox president Sarah Bond shared that the two companies have entered a multi-year partnership to co-engineer new hardware. This new lineup will include both home consoles and handheld gaming devices, all working under one evolving ecosystem. Bond said the next-generation of Xbox will bring advanced performance, AI-enhanced features, and complete backward compatibility. In the era of expensive gaming, the last part really stood out to me. As someone who has grown up with Xbox through every generation, knowing that my current library will carry forward is both reassuring and exciting. It shows that Microsoft is thinking about players, not just new tech. Microsoft's partnership with AMD for the next-generation Xbox also hints at a much larger shift. Beyond just using a powerful AMD chip in the new consoles, there's more on offer. As per Bond's statement, the "next-gen Xbox will not be locked to a single store". Yes, you heard that right, console war marks! Xbox is eyeing a future where your console is the only gaming machine you'll ever need. Want to dive into Halo Infinite via Game Pass, then switch gears for a deep dive into Baldur's Gate 3 on Steam? You got it! Xbox will flip the script on console ownership, bringing PC-like flexibility right to your living room. Another exciting reveal is that Microsoft is working closely with the Windows team. This likely means that future Xbox hardware could operate like a powerful Windows-based gaming machine, while still keeping the simplicity of a console. We are already seeing early signs of this with the Xbox-branded ROG Ally handhelds, which run on Windows and support multiple game libraries. Whether you are a fan or not, AI will play a key role in the next-generation Xbox. Microsoft and AMD are working to improve visuals, gameplay, and responsiveness. The goal is to make games feel better without losing that classic console experience. There's no release date yet, but 2027 seems likely, especially if you believe in rumors. Until then, Microsoft is focused on connecting console, PC, and handheld platforms. Your games and progress will move with you. As someone who switches devices often, I'm really looking forward to that. This is the most confident I've felt in Xbox's direction in a long time. The next-generation Xbox looks set to deliver real improvements where it counts. What are your thoughts on the Xbox and AMD's partnership announcement? Do you think the next generation of Xbox consoles can bring the greenside its lost honor? Let us know in the comments.

AMD CEO: We're Designing a Full Roadmap of Gaming Chips for Xbox

Following Microsoft's announcement of an expanded partnership with AMD to make next-generation devices, AMD CEO Lisa Su also posted her own statement in a brief video message: AMD and Microsoft are advancing a bold, shared vision for the future of gaming one that enables seamless gameplay across any screen, placing gamers at the center of the experience anywhere. We're so excited to be deepening our relationship with Microsoft and build on the over two decades of partnership, innovation, and trust. From the earliest days of the Xbox 360, to the most advanced consoles, such as the Xbox Series X and S, and the recently announced ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. Moving forward, AMD will go beyond building custom chips for Xbox consoles to designing a full roadmap of gaming optimized chips. Combining the power of Ryzen and Radeon for consoles, handhelds, PCs, and the cloud. And we're doing it all with backwards compatibility, so gamers can access their favorite titles across platforms, delivering on a promise to both gamers and developers. Together, we are building a vibrant, open ecosystem that delivers the next generation of graphics and immersive gameplay, powered by AI that includes new foundational models to accelerate the state of the art in rendering. From console to cloud to handheld, AMD and Microsoft are building the future of immersive gaming. We are so excited to be working with Microsoft to bring all of this tech to gamers everywhere. The first products born from this deeper partnership to hit the market will be the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds, which are expected to launch in late October, according to a recent rumor. The next-generation Xbox consoles aren't likely to be released before 2027. Interestingly, both Microsoft president Sarah Bond and AMD's Lisa Su have underlined that the new chips will also power the Xbox cloud offering, which is currently much less attractive than competitors like NVIDIA's GeForce NOW, whose servers are equipped with more powerful hardware. This should make streaming Game Pass titles way more interesting for subscribers.

Microsoft's Next-Gen Xbox : A Console That's Actually a Gaming PC!

What if your next gaming console wasn't just a console, but a full-fledged gaming PC in disguise? Microsoft's upcoming Xbox is poised to shatter the traditional boundaries of console gaming, offering a device that's as much about flexibility and power as it is about play. With a modified Windows operating system, AMD's innovative Ryzen Z2 Extreme AI chip, and cross-platform compatibility, this next-gen Xbox is more than a gaming system -- it's a bold reimagining of what a console can be. Imagine downloading games from Steam, tweaking performance settings like a PC enthusiast, or seamlessly switching from your console to a handheld device -- all without leaving the Xbox ecosystem. This isn't just evolution; it's a revolution in how we think about gaming hardware. In this exploration, ETA Prime uncovers how Microsoft is blurring the line between consoles and PCs, creating a platform that caters to both casual players and hardcore enthusiasts. From its open ecosystem that supports multiple storefronts to its collaboration with ASUS on handheld gaming, the next-gen Xbox is redefining versatility in gaming. You'll discover how features like the Game Bar and AMD's advanced processor bring PC-like customization and performance to your living room. But is this hybrid approach the future of gaming, or does it risk alienating traditional console fans? Let's examine the innovations, the possibilities, and the potential trade-offs of a console that dares to think like a PC. The new Xbox is designed to cater to a broad spectrum of gamers, offering features that appeal to both casual players and dedicated enthusiasts. By combining the power of PC gaming with the accessibility of a console, Microsoft is creating a platform that adapts to the evolving needs of the gaming community. Central to the next-gen Xbox's capabilities is Microsoft's enduring partnership with AMD, a collaboration that has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology. This relationship, which began with the Xbox One, has reached new heights with the integration of AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme AI chip. The Ryzen Z2 chip is a technological marvel, engineered to deliver exceptional performance across a variety of gaming scenarios. It offers faster processing speeds, enhanced graphical fidelity, and improved power efficiency, making it ideal for both consoles and handheld devices. By incorporating this advanced processor, Microsoft is making sure that the next-gen Xbox can handle even the most demanding games with ease, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. One of the standout features of the next-gen Xbox is its operating system, which represents a significant departure from the traditionally closed ecosystems of gaming consoles. Reports indicate that the console will run a modified version of Windows, allowing you to install games from multiple storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games, and GOG. This open approach enables gamers with greater control over their game libraries and settings, mirroring the flexibility typically associated with gaming PCs. Features like the Game Bar, a staple of Windows gaming, will be integrated into the console, allowing you to monitor performance, capture gameplay, and customize settings with ease. This PC-like functionality ensures that the next-gen Xbox offers a user experience that is both familiar and innovative. Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on gaming PC systems that you might find useful. In addition to its flagship console, Microsoft is making strides in the handheld gaming market through its collaboration with ASUS. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are designed to combine the portability of handheld consoles with the power and versatility of gaming PCs. These devices are powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme AI chip, making sure high performance for even the most graphically intensive games. The handhelds come equipped with features like the Game Bar and ASUS's Armory Crate, which enhance the gaming experience by allowing you to optimize performance, monitor system metrics, and customize settings directly from the device. This partnership with ASUS highlights Microsoft's commitment to expanding its gaming ecosystem, offering solutions that cater to gamers who value portability without compromising on performance. The next-gen Xbox is embracing an open gaming ecosystem, moving away from proprietary storefronts and restrictive platforms. This shift allows you to access games from a variety of sources, including Steam, Epic Games, and GOG, providing unparalleled flexibility in how you build and manage your game library. This open approach aligns with the growing trend of cross-platform gaming, where players can enjoy their favorite titles across multiple devices without being confined to a single ecosystem. By supporting multi-storefront game installations, Microsoft is catering to a diverse range of gamer preferences, making sure that the next-gen Xbox is as inclusive as it is powerful. Performance is a cornerstone of the next-gen Xbox, and the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme AI chip plays a pivotal role in delivering smooth and responsive gameplay. Whether you're exploring expansive open worlds or engaging in fast-paced multiplayer battles, the console is designed to handle it all with ease. Beyond raw performance, Microsoft is also prioritizing accessibility. Features like the Game Bar and ASUS's Armory Crate simplify the gaming experience, allowing you to focus on playing rather than navigating complex menus or settings. This balance between high performance and user-friendly design ensures that the next-gen Xbox appeals to both casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts. While the modified Windows OS is central to the next-gen Xbox, Microsoft is also exploring compatibility with alternative operating systems like Steam OS. This flexibility underscores the company's commitment to creating a gaming platform that accommodates a wide range of user preferences. Whether you prefer the familiarity of Windows or the streamlined interface of Steam OS, the next-gen Xbox is designed to adapt to your needs. This dual compatibility ensures that the console remains accessible to a diverse audience, further solidifying its position as a versatile and forward-thinking gaming platform.

Xbox Partners With AMD to Develop AI-Enhanced Chips for Next-Generation Devices

Xbox inked what it called a strategic, multi-year partnership with Advanced Micro Devices to develop custom silicon chips that will power a portfolio of next-generation devices, including future Xbox consoles. "Together with AMD, we are advancing the state of art in gaming silicon to deliver the next generation of graphics innovation," Xbox President Sarah Bond said Tuesday. Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed. The deal comes as Xbox said it is ramping up investment in its next-generation hardware lineup across console, handheld, PC, cloud and accessories. The new chips will incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance visual quality and enable more immersive gameplay experiences, Bond said. She added that the upcoming devices will maintain compatibility with players' existing Xbox game libraries. "The next generation of Xbox is coming to life, and this is just the beginning," Bond said.