Xbox next-gen console release year was leaked ages ago, and you probably missed it

The next-gen Xbox console release year was seemingly leaked years ago, and the chances are, you missed it.

In January 2022, Microsoft announced its intentions to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth a reported $68.7 billion, but before that acquisition was complete, it went through a lengthy court battle with US business regulator the FTC.

Eventually, in October 2023, despite the best efforts of the FTC, Microsoft won its battle, and its takeover of Activision Blizzard was complete resulting in the likes of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo and more becoming properties of the tech giant.

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Rumours have been making the rounds that Microsoft already has its next-gen consoles in production, which, to be fair, should come as no surprise because it would be more unusual if it wasn't already preparing for the next-gen.

It’s claimed that one console will be a direct successor of the Xbox Series X, and the other will see Microsoft venture into the handheld gaming market.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft hasn't officially announced its next console yet, whether it's a home console, a handheld console or something else entirely.

However, whatever it is that may arrive, its release year may have been leaked during the aforementioned FTC court battle.

“Is Microsoft releasing a next-gen Xbox console in 2025?” asked Redditor ground_hog_cute.

“A leaked document during the FTC trial indicates 2028 for next-gen,” answered cdncowboy.

The original Xbox was released in 2001 and discontinued in 2006, having a relatively short lifespan for a console of just five years. The Xbox 360 was released in 2005 and had a much longer lifespan of 11 years, ending in 2016.

The Xbox One launched in 2013 and, despite still being supported with new games, Microsoft ceased its console production in 2020, the same release year as the Xbox Series X/S launch.

So, judging by previous console life spans, give or take a year or two, they tend to last about a decade before a new generation arrives, making a 2028 release year a good possibility.

This is mere speculation at this point, but when Microsoft unveils its new hardware, we’ll be sure to update you right away.