Xbox next-gen release leak slammed by fans: 'is this a half-gen?'

According to one insider, Microsoft’s plans to produce an Xbox Series X/S successor are in full swing - and fans are feeling less than positive about the news.

Following his comments on The Xbox Two Podcast last week that Microsoft is planning to unveil a new Xbox that is “gonna be a PC in essence but with a TV friendly shell”, Windows Central’s Jez Corden is back with more news.

As well as revealing that Microsoft is on track to release a gaming handheld device “later this year”, Corden also revealed some more specifics about that previously mentioned Xbox Series X/S successor.

“Because indeed, our sources also indicate that Microsoft's internal successor to the Xbox Series X|S platform has been fully greenlit all the way up to CEO Satya Nadella,” Corden revealed in an article on Windows Central.

“For now, I understand that Microsoft's next-gen hardware plans include a premium successor to the powerful Xbox Series X, alongside its own Xbox gaming handheld, and several new controller options. Tentatively, these new console devices are slated for 2027.”

All this sounds extremely believable to me, which is probably why the comments on @ShiinaBR’s Twitter thread discussing the news are less than positive.

“Is this a half gen?” commented user @RealWashedGamer.

“No way they’re doing a full new gen when people have been so slow to adopt current gen.”

“a new xbox when a lot of people still use xbox one?” replied user @funnyfunnyuser.

“surely they should just keep supporting the current generation, or make an xbox series x pro, or xbox series z, or something.”

I gotta say, I understand the response to this.

Getting excited about a new Xbox console in two years when Microsoft has essentially made it clear that the majority of their games will no longer be Xbox console exclusives isn’t going to be possible for a lot of people.

However, I think Microsoft has the opportunity to do something interesting here. If they intentionally produce a console that prioritises power and specs over affordability, they could appeal to a very specific market of users.

Alternatively, the opposite is possible. A more affordable, less powerful machine (much like the Xbox Series S) that is a bit more customisable (if that “PC in essence” comment is to be believed) would offer a different kind of alternative to a PlayStation 6.

Either way, we’ll know more for sure once we hear more about that rumoured Xbox handheld device from Microsoft themselves.