UNITED STATES: In a strategic move that aims to align its gaming output with that of industry rivals Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer develop games for its previous-generation console, the Xbox One.
The decision was confirmed by Matt Booty, Microsoft’s game studio chief, as part of the company’s updated approach to game development for PCs and consoles.
“We’ve moved on to Gen 9,” Booty emphasized, referring to the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. He further explained that no Xbox Game Studios teams are actively working on new titles for the ageing Xbox One, signalling a shift in focus towards the latest generation of consoles.
While this development may disappoint Xbox One owners, Microsoft has assured them that ongoing previous-generation titles like Minecraft and Halo Infinite will continue to receive support.
To bridge the gap and offer access to new titles, Xbox One users will have the opportunity to play games designed for the Xbox Series X/S through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Through the cloud gaming service, users can stream and play games on their Xbox One consoles without being hindered by the hardware limitations of their ageing devices.
This forward-thinking approach allows Microsoft to deliver gaming experiences that are closer in performance to those enjoyed by owners of the newer generation of consoles.
By shifting away from the Xbox One, Microsoft’s game development teams can fully harness the power and capabilities of the Xbox Series X/S, enabling them to create more immersive and visually stunning games.
This move brings Microsoft in line with its competitors, Sony and Nintendo, in terms of delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
However, concerns have been raised by some third-party developers regarding the Xbox Series S, which is less powerful than its sibling, the Series X. Matt Booty acknowledged that ensuring games run smoothly on the Series S requires additional effort and optimization.
Despite this challenge, Microsoft’s recent Xbox Games Showcase 2023 demonstrated the company’s dedication to delivering an exciting lineup of games, including titles such as Compulsion’s South of Midnight, InXile’s Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Avowed, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Coinciding with the news of the shift in game development focus, Microsoft also unveiled a Carbon Black color variant for the Xbox Series S.
This new version of the console retains the same next-gen speed and performance as the 512GB variant but comes equipped with 1TB of SSD storage, offering users expanded storage options for their gaming needs.
In conclusion, while Microsoft’s decision to cease game development for the Xbox One may disappoint some owners, ongoing support for existing titles and the availability of cloud gaming provide a bridge to new gaming experiences.
By concentrating its efforts on the Xbox Series X/S consoles, Microsoft aims to deliver gaming experiences on par with those of industry rivals. The move signifies Microsoft’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming and providing users with the best possible gaming experiences across their platforms.
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