Xbox President Says Hardware Is Still ‘Absolutely Core’ to the Brand

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Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, has emphasized that physical gaming consoles remain important to the brand, even though they are shifting away from making games exclusive to Xbox. Microsoft’s gaming team has recently made several big changes, causing some confusion among fans about the future of Xbox and its next generation of consoles. While Xbox’s plans aren’t fully clear yet, Bond has assured everyone that hardware will continue to be a key part of the business.

Lately, Xbox has been increasingly focused on software and services, particularly with the success of Xbox Game Pass and a slowdown in console sales. The recent announcement that Halo would be available on PlayStation felt like a sign that Xbox was moving away from exclusive games. However, Microsoft still maintains that creating gaming hardware is a core part of who they are.

Xbox President Sarah Bond Says ‘The Xbox Experience Starts with the Console’

In a recent Fortune Magazine interview, Xbox head Sarah Bond reaffirmed the company’s dedication to console gaming, stating that hardware is central to Xbox’s strategy. Despite a significant drop in hardware revenue last quarter, Xbox remains committed to consoles. Bond explained that Xbox’s most engaged players typically start gaming within the Xbox ecosystem, even if they later expand to PC, mobile, or other platforms. While Microsoft envisions a future where games can be played on any device, the company believes owning and developing its own hardware is crucial for success. The positive reception to the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds, even with their high prices and a competitive market, suggests that similar success could be possible with broader Xbox hardware offerings.

During a discussion about Xbox’s hardware plans, Bond shared some details about the next Xbox console. She called it a “powerful” device that will let players access their games anywhere. This likely means improved cloud gaming and the ability to continue progress across different devices, rather than a fully portable console. Earlier reports suggest the new Xbox will blend the features of a PC and a traditional console, and Microsoft seems to believe this combination will set it apart from the competition and make it a worthwhile investment.

It’s still unclear exactly how future Xbox consoles will be designed, but Microsoft has confirmed they will continue making them, even if they don’t have exclusive games. Interestingly, PlayStation is also releasing more of its games on other platforms, suggesting the entire console market could be changing significantly.

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2025-11-18 03:04