“I want our hardware to compete.” Phil Spencer believes the next Xbox must be more innovative to stand out. The Xbox boss has shared his thoughts on the gaming industry and the current console generation, arguing that “hardware differentiation has diminished.” For Spencer, innovation is key to Xbox’s future success.

Xbox’s strategy has undergone a major shift in recent years, expanding its ecosystem beyond just its own consoles. Microsoft has been heavily investing in cloud gaming while also bringing its first-party titles to other platforms, including the PlayStation 5. However, what has been confirmed is that a new Xbox console is currently in development and is expected to launch in the coming years. Phil Spencer has already outlined what he envisions for the next-generation Xbox.

In an interview with The Destin Channel a few days ago, Spencer confirmed that even more Xbox games would be coming to other consoles in the future. He also discussed Microsoft’s upcoming console, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in a market where, as he puts it, “hardware differentiation has diminished.”

“I want us to innovate and make hardware the differentiator. We’ve reached a point where hardware differentiation has diminished, and it’s really been first-party games that have tried to give identity to consoles. I love seeing handhelds, and I admire the unique things hardware manufacturers are doing. And I want our hardware to compete… so we need to keep pushing forward with innovation, both in services and in hardware. I think that’s our identity moving forward, and it’s working for us right now.” – Phil Spencer (via Gamespot)

Forza Horizon 5 Is Coming to PS5

One of the biggest surprises in recent days has been the announcement that Forza Horizon 5 will be coming to PlayStation 5. The open-world racing game is set to launch in spring 2025, bringing the full experience that Xbox Series X|S and PC players have enjoyed—including all updates, expansions, over 900 cars, Horizon Festival content, and crossplay. Additionally, Playground Games is working on a new free content update called Horizon Realms, which will highlight the best community-created worlds across all platforms.

Source: Gamespot