Recently, leaked documents from the US Federal Trade Commission have provided insight into Microsoft’s long-term gaming plans. The documents, released during the court case against Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard acquisition, reveal the company’s intentions to acquire Nintendo and Valve. Additionally, the leaked materials outline the release of upcoming games, including Dishonored 3, an Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster, and a sequel to Ghostwire: Tokyo.
However, the most significant revelations come from Microsoft’s detailed pitch and presentation materials, which extend all the way to 2030. These materials outline Microsoft’s vision for the future of gaming, including a mid-generation console refresh, codenamed Brooklin, slated for 2024. But more intriguing for PC gamers is the plan for a “hybrid” Xbox platform, expected in 2028. This platform would utilize a “thin client” operating system, allowing for cloud-based gaming on affordable consumer or handheld devices.
According to the leaked slides, Microsoft’s goal is to develop a next-generation hybrid game platform that combines the power of local hardware with cloud technology to deliver immersive experiences beyond what the client hardware alone can achieve. This initiative would leverage current investments in CPU and GPU technology, potentially in collaboration with hardware manufacturers like AMD. The documents also mention the development of neural processing units (NPUs) to support machine learning features, such as automated game testing, dialogue generation, and improvements in monetization and latency compensation.
If the leaked roadmap is accurate, the design of the associated hardware and the production of the first hybrid cloud games will begin in 2024, with devkits expected to arrive in 2027. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, expressed the company’s commitment to this unified vision, stating the need to bring together their systems talent for alignment.
As Microsoft’s plans for the future of gaming continue to unfold, the industry eagerly awaits further details and confirmation of their ambitious objectives.
Sources:
– US Federal Trade Commission documents
– Microsoft internal pitch and presentation materials
