Because of the Xbox One X and the PlayStation 4 Pro, everybody, including other industry giants, are expecting Sony and Microsoft to release mid-generation refreshes for the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. However, a recent revelation from a trusted source suggests that Microsoft is no longer interested in this type of arms race.
Microsoft recently made an intriguing comment about the Xbox Series X on the latest episode of Digital Foundry’s weekly podcast.
John Linneman relayed that Microsoft’s initial reveal of the Xbox Series X was marked by a curious statement, explaining that, “Microsoft told us the Series X is their mid-gen refresh. They just decided to do it ahead of time.” This idea suggested that the Series X was not intended as a straightforward successor to the Xbox One but rather as an early mid-generation refresh, with the much-weaker and VRAM-starved Xbox Series S acting as the base model.
This unexpected announcement, however, has been met with a ton of skepticism. Some individuals pointed that the power discrepancy between the Series X and the Series S. It’s argued that it’s unlikely for Microsoft to view the Series S as their standard machine when it trails significantly in performance compared to the Series X.
The decision to forego a mid-generation refresh has sparked speculations about the future of the Xbox Series X. Despite its power that, in many respects, surpasses Sony’s PlayStation 5, it sometimes struggles to maintain 60FPS at a 4K resolution. A good reason for a more powerful version of the Xbox Series X is to avoid another situation like with Starfield and its 30FPS cap.
Unfortunately, Microsoft’s statement suggests that the Series S/X are here to stay for the duration of the console’s lifecycle. In contrast, Sony is preparing to unseat the PlayStation 5 as its flagship console with the release of a PlayStation 5 Pro.
The most recent leaks suggest that development kits are headed to developers within the next few months, paving the way for Sony to release the PS5 Pro late next year.
More importantly, after tinkering with the current PS5 model to slim it down, Sony is believed to be introducing a new base model with a detachable disc drive to help it streamline production, ship more units, and be more flexible with its pricing options.
On the other hand, given the price constraints and the hardware loss that Microsoft may still be incurring with the Xbox Series X, making a new console with a significant performance difference seems challenging.
As Microsoft and Sony continue to diverge in their strategic approach, the gaming landscape of the 9th console generation is becoming increasingly fascinating. The Xbox Series X is unlikely to see a mid-gen refresh, despite the demands of AAA games for more horsepower. This move could potentially give Sony an edge with the speculated PS5 Pro, but at the same time, it positions the Xbox Series X as an impressive console with its $500 price tag. Of course, Sony could undercut it by making the still-unannounced “slimmer” PS5 model available for the same price or even lower.
Ultimately, it’s clear that the industry is at a crossroads, with next-gen consoles struggling to balance power, price, and consumer expectations.
Whether Microsoft’s strategy will be a boon or a bane for the Xbox brand is yet to be seen.
