Microsoft is teaming up with AMD to develop the next-generation Xbox console. The company announced on Tuesday that it has signed a multi-year agreement with AMD to jointly develop chipsets for its future devices, including the next-generation Xbox game console. In a brief video announcement, Xbox President Sarah Bond also said that the next-generation Xbox experience will not be limited to a single store or device, recommending an open platform that can support third-party stores such as Steam.
Next-gen Xbox won’t be locked to one store
Microsoft released the first Xbox-branded handheld gaming computer manufactured by Asus at the Xbox Game Show. ROG Xbox Ally runs a full-screen Xbox experience on top of Windows, allowing other PC storefronts such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG to be used on the device.
Bond said the next-generation Xbox platform will be “augmented by the power of artificial intelligence, unlocking deeper levels of visual quality and immersive gameplay and player experiences.” The executive confirmed that the next-generation Xbox console will be backwards compatible with players’ existing Xbox game libraries.
Microsoft appears to be doubling down on Xbox as a platform that isn’t tied to a console, but instead exists on supported devices like handhelds, PCs, and smart TVs, both natively and through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Crucially, the company also seems to be hinting that the next Xbox console will be a Windows-centric device, running Xbox games and supporting third-party storefronts, just like the ROG Xbox Ally device.
Windows on Xbox?
“It’s all about creating a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want wherever you want, across devices, giving you an Xbox experience that’s not locked into a single store or tied to one device,” Bond said.
“That’s why we’re working closely with the Windows team to ensure Windows becomes the number one gaming platform.”
AMD chips power the current-generation Xbox Series S/X, with both consoles running on custom AMD Zen 2 CPUs. The new Xbox Ally handheld devices also use AMD chipsets, with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z2 A powering the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally respectively.
As early as February 2024, Microsoft previewed its next-generation Xbox console and stated that its focus was to achieve the “biggest technological leap” for the next-generation Xbox console.