Microsoft is blurring the lines between console and PC gaming. During a a TBPN livestream, CEO Satya Nadella recently revealed that the next Xbox console will be a hybrid between a Windows PC and a traditional console. This means the upcoming device will essentially run full Windows. As a result, it blends the console experience with the flexibility of a PC.
Nadella highlighted that Microsoft views gaming on Windows as the biggest segment. Additionally, the company aims for Xbox to be everywhere, including consoles, PCs, mobile, cloud, and TV. Users of the next Xbox console will be able to remain inside the Xbox ecosystem or fully access Windows. Furthermore, they’ll have the ability to play games from multiple PC storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, Blizzard’s Battle.net, and Riot’s launcher, alongside Xbox’s native titles.
This PC-console hybrid architecture could also mean users might access PlayStation games available on PC via platforms like Steam. However, this would be unprecedented for an Xbox console. The next Xbox console is expected to deliver unparalleled performance and a “TV-friendly shell.” In fact, it will deliver the broadest possible library of games by seamlessly integrating Windows.
Nadella mentioned that this approach revisits the conventional wisdom that consoles and PCs are separate. He noted consoles were built to be better gaming PCs in the first place. Meanwhile, he sees innovation coming from high margins allowing investment into new types of interactive media and content distribution.
This represents a fundamental shift in console strategy. For years, Xbox has focused on expanding beyond traditional consoles. This new hybrid approach could unify game access across platforms and challenge old distinctions between console and PC gaming.
