Microsoft has officially announced that it is collaborating with AMD for its upcoming generation of Xbox hardware. However, questions linger about the future of traditional Xbox consoles and the emerging trend of handheld gaming devices.
One key statement from Xbox President Sarah Bond in their announcement video states: “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.”
While this declaration may seem straightforward, it raises numerous queries. The statement hints at the development of various Xbox devices, suggesting that not all will be produced by Microsoft itself. This could be seen in the recent introduction of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which, while an Xbox product, is not manufactured by Microsoft.
Bond’s message appears to affirm that Microsoft intends to create both next-gen consoles and handheld devices. The former is aimed at traditional gaming settings, while the latter targets mobile gaming consumers. However, there will likely be third-party products, akin to the Asus ROG series, complicating Microsoft’s position in the gaming hardware landscape.
Given this context, the announcement raises crucial questions about how Microsoft intends to balance production between its own Xbox hardware and that from third parties. As the gaming marketplace evolves, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of Xbox.
