Phil Spencer Addresses Lack of PS5 Pro Equivalent for Xbox

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Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer says that more Xbox

    consoles are on the way, despite the company’s ongoing multiplatform strategy.
  • Spencer explained that he couldn’t justify releasing a mid-generation console like the PlayStation 5 Pro, as any improvements made would be minimal and wouldn’t justify the cost.
  • Xbox is currently working on a handheld console.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I can say that Phil Spencer’s words fill me with a mix of anticipation and relief. On one hand, hearing that new Xbox consoles are on the horizon is music to my ears, as I always crave the latest and greatest hardware to fuel my passion for games. However, the fact that we won’t be seeing an Xbox Series X Pro gives me a sense of financial relief.

According to Phil Spencer, head of gaming at Microsoft, there will be more Xbox consoles released, but don’t anticipate an upgraded version named Xbox Series X Pro. While Sony launches its mid-generation console, there has been speculation about the possibility of a PlayStation 5 Pro equivalent from Microsoft. However, it appears that such a device is not in the plans at this time.

By late October, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, announced that Xbox would adopt a multi-platform approach, implying that upcoming first-party games will be playable on PlayStation and Nintendo systems as well. While some gamers are thrilled about the prospect of playing these studios’ titles on more devices, many devoted Xbox fans have expressed worries regarding the platform’s future, since iconic series like Halo might no longer remain exclusive to Microsoft hardware. However, a recent interview has eased those concerns, as Phil Spencer, the CEO of Xbox, still envisions a promising future for the brand’s consoles.

In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Spencer affirmed that there will be upcoming Xbox consoles and other devices, despite Microsoft’s focus on multi-platform development. When questioned about the absence of an Xbox counterpart to the PlayStation 5 Pro, the executive explained that it wouldn’t be practical to launch a mid-generation console this time, as any enhancements would be minor. He also emphasized the significance of delivering something worthwhile for consumers. Spencer compared it to the transition from the original Xbox to the 360, stating that “it’s harder now to demonstrate the advantages.” He added that Microsoft won’t expand the market with expensive $1,000 consoles.

New Xbox Consoles Are Coming, but Not an Xbox Series X Pro

Launched on November 7, Sony’s PlayStation 5 Premium retails at $700, leaving some players questioning if the upgraded model is worth its cost. Equipped with 2TB SSD storage and an enhanced GPU, the pricier console boasts advanced ray tracing capabilities and AI upscaling through Sony’s PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). The new hardware also boosts the performance of over 8,500 PlayStation 4 games, with a small number even offering 8K mode. While there are numerous improvements, some gamers remain unconvinced by the hardware, suggesting that Microsoft made a wise financial decision by not releasing a Pro console.

Spencer has revealed that a portable Xbox gaming system is under development, but fans shouldn’t hold their breath for its release just yet. The company is still working on perfecting the hardware to enhance the user experience on current handheld devices before focusing more intensely on their own creation. A reliable source suggests that an announcement about this portable Xbox device might happen around 2025, though it may still be several years until it reaches consumers. With next-generation consoles slated for release around 2028 and the new year upon us, fans are growing increasingly excited to learn more about what lies ahead in the coming decade.

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2024-11-15 20:03