Xbox has revealed its next-generation console plans, which include a gaming handheld set for later this year, alongside full next-gen consoles targeting 2027. The company’s first foray into PC gaming handhelds is being executed more quickly than expected, with a partner device codenamed “Keenan” slated for release in 2025.
The Keenan handheld will look unmistakably “Xbox” and feature an official Xbox guide button, as well as design sensibilities. It is expected to run full Windows and put the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass front and center, alongside the ability to install Steam. This device will likely serve as a research experience for Microsoft, testing new Windows 11 “device aware” capabilities and reducing third-party OEM bloatware.
In the long term, Xbox’s next-gen console plans include a premium successor to the Xbox Series X, as well as several new controller options. The consoles are expected to be closer to Windows than ever before, with reduced backwards compatibility requirements for developers. They will also sport cloud capabilities and AI-driven features, allowing for seamless device switching between different devices.
Microsoft’s strategy has de-emphasized its own Xbox console audience in favor of targeting players exactly where they are, regardless of device or geography. The acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has accelerated this vision, anchoring Microsoft as a gaming company for the foreseeable future. With its upcoming Xbox games slate and integrations with Game Pass, Battle.net, and cloud services, the possibilities for Xbox’s multi-device future appear promising.
While there are still logistical issues to be addressed, Xbox’s hardware plans seem to be doing just that – bringing its core audience along for the ride. By linking Xbox to Windows, Microsoft can cast off the need for a lock-step system with PlayStation and target a more powerful box more in line with higher-end PCs.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-hardware-report-project-keenan-next-gen-xbox-2027