Xbox Next Will Be A “Reference Design” for Manufacturers to Make Their Own Devices – Rumor

The Xbox Next is going to be a very different gaming device compared to its predecessors, according to rumors circulating online.

According to Windows Central's Jez Corden, Microsoft's next-generation console will likely be a reference device with a heavy Windows slant for manufacturers to make their own devices, like the Surface Pro 11 is a reference device for AI PCs. This would be a huge departure from the previous Xbox consoles, as it would essentially make it a PC that could potentially run Steam games as well, and thus even the former PlayStation exclusives available on Valve's digital store like Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut and God of War.

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Jez Corden using the Surface Pro 11 as an example is very interesting, as it was rumored earlier this year that the Xbox Next development is being led by the Surface team. The next Microsoft console is also said to be released in multiple SKUs, including a handheld one that will be capable of running games natively while also supporting cloud gaming.

As of now, very little is known about the Xbox Next other than that it is in the works and that it will deliver the "largest technical leap" ever seen. How this will be achieved remains to be seen, but it is likely that software and storage advancements will play a big part in it, as simply doubling specs, such as RAM, would not be economically viable.