Phil Spencer Teases Xbox One Hardware Upgrades

“Consoles lock the hardware and the software platforms together at the beginning of the generation”. “And then you wait for the next big step function”.

“I look at the ecosystem that a console sits in and I think that it should have the capability of more iteration on hardware capability”, he said.

Obviously, he didn’t provide any solid info about the future of Xbox hardware. As time goes on, PC players can adapt their hardware to the increasing demand of software, which is something consoles have struggled with since their inception.

Though Spencer’s speech outlined a vision, rather than a tangible plan – he specifically said these remarks are not Microsoft’s official “hardware roadmap” for the Xbox One – his remarks suggest Microsoft may produce external upgrades to enhance the Xbox One’s hardware, or release a new version of the platform that would facilitate such a future.

Having a unified system like this means that there will be cross-play between different devices and allow developers the ability to sell games on one device that will then be available on other platforms. In fact, we’re more exposed because it shows how many people are actually using our platform and service every month and reporting that publicly.

“We can effectively feel a little bit more like we see on PC, where I can still go back and run my old Doom and Quake games that I used to play years ago but I can still see the best 4K games come out and my library is always with me”.

“We believe we will see more hardware innovation in the console space than we’ve ever seen”.

Speaking to Game Informer, Spencer ruled out VR integration with Xbox One as Sony is doing with PlayStation VR and PS4.

It’s certainly no secret that the desire to make games consoles last as long as possible results in them becoming inferior to the open-source platform that is PC, but it sounds very much like Spencer and Microsoft are thinking of ways (or already have) thought of a workaround of sorts, to prolong each generation. It’s not how many consoles you sell.

Microsoft announced during the spring showcase a free-to-play version of Froza 6 and released Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on the Windows 10 store today.

That could change with Xbox One, particularly as it draws more and more from PC initiatives – whether it’s Early Access, user interface options, business models, and more.

“I’m extremely excited about the technology, talent and market position SwiftKey brings to us with this acquisition, and about how this further demonstrates Microsoft’s desire to bring key apps and technologies to platforms from Windows to Android to iOS”, he said.