Microsoft’s Phil Spencer Says No Urgency for Major Xbox Console Upgrade
Microsoft’s video gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has stated that there is no urgency for a major upgrade of the Xbox console (mid-gen Xbox upgrade). In an interview with Bloomberg following the Xbox Games Showcase, Spencer emphasized that the feedback they have received does not warrant a significant hardware upgrade at this time.
During the event, Microsoft unveiled a new version of the current Xbox Series S with increased storage and a new matte black finish, Xbox Series S Carbon Black – 1TB. They also addressed the shortages of the higher-powered Xbox Series X, assuring that supplies had been “significantly increased.”
When compared to its competitors, Spencer acknowledged that Xbox currently holds the “third place” position behind Nintendo‘s Switch and Sony‘s PlayStation. To expand its reach, Microsoft has been diversifying its game delivery strategy by making titles available through its PC gaming app and Game Pass subscription service.
Spencer’s approach to product development is driven by players’ wishes. He believes that the input from the gaming community should determine the direction of future Xbox offerings.
Traditionally, console makers release major upgrades about three years into a gaming machine’s life cycle. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the supply chain and the supply-and-demand cycle. This may have ultimately affected the overall reach of the Xbox console compared to the pre-pandemic era.
Therefore, it would make more sense for Microsoft to achieve numbers closer to what they had before the pandemic with the current Xbox Series X|S before moving to the next generation of Xbox consoles.
What are your thoughts on this news? Do you think it would be better for Microsoft to stick with their current hardware for a while and focus on releasing top-notch games to attract new gamers?
Could this approach be more effective than offering bleeding-edge hardware to entice them? Especially considering the rumors that Sony, Microsoft’s main console competitor, is working on a mid-gen upgrade for their latest console, the PlayStation 5 (PlayStation 5 Pro). Let’s discuss this in the comments section below.
