Microsoft plans to refresh its Xbox {hardware} lineup in 2024 with new variations of the Sequence S and Sequence X consoles and a brand new “extra immersive” controller, in response to unredacted paperwork launched as a part of the Federal Commerce Fee’s case in opposition to the Activision Blizzard merger which have apparently been launched by chance.
Sequence X will get probably the most dramatic redesign, codenamed “Brooklin.” The premium console may have a brand new, cylindrical case and no disc drive, which means Xbox will depart bodily media behind solely with this mid-generation refresh. The Sequence X’s storage will probably be doubled to 2 TB, its wi-fi and bluetooth capabilities will probably be upgraded, it will likely be extra energy environment friendly, and there’ll be a brand new USB-C port on the entrance. It’ll have the identical value level as the present console, at $499, and Microsoft is planning to launch it in November 2024.
Picture: Microsoft
The Brooklin Sequence X will probably be preceded to market by “Ellewood,” a brand new model of the Sequence S. Ellewood is ready to be launched in September 2024, once more on the present value level of $299. Ellewood seems a lot the identical as the present Sequence S, however crucially its storage will probably be upgraded to 1 TB. (There’s at the moment a carbon black Sequence S obtainable with 1 TB of storage, however on the larger value of $349.99.) It’ll additionally boast the identical improved wi-fi chipsets and energy effectivity because the Brooklin Sequence X. Microsoft intends to clear inventory of the outdated, 512 GB Sequence S mannequin with a $199 supply throughout Black Friday 2024.
Each new consoles will come bundled with the brand new Xbox controller, codenamed Sebile. Proven in Microsoft’s paperwork in a two-tone black-and-white end, this controller may have new precision haptic suggestions (with “VCA haptics [that] double as audio system,” in response to Microsoft’s notes), extra sturdy modular thumbsticks, quieter buttons and thumbsticks, an accelerometer for gyro controls, and upgraded bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity. Due to the gyro, you’ll be capable of merely raise the controller to wake it.
Microsoft intends to launch the Sebile controller individually in June 2024 — alongside the deliberate announcement of the brand new consoles. It’s billed as having “direct-to-cloud” functionality (presumably which means it could talk immediately with Xbox Cloud gaming servers over wifi, decreasing enter latency, very like Google’s ill-fated Stadia controller). Sebile may even boast “seamless” pairing and switching between a number of gadgets, assisted by a cellular app (most likely the Xbox app).
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24934188/Screenshot_2023_09_19_121538.png "New all-digital Xbox Sequence X design coming subsequent 12 months Specific Instances 1")
Picture: Microsoft
The leaked doc — a presentation deck titled “Roadmap to 2030” — positions the controller because the central gadget within the Xbox ecosystem, which gamers will use to play on many alternative gadgets and the cloud. “Controller turns into the hero,” one bullet level proclaims, including: “The brand new Xbox controller is the one factor that you must play on each gadget. This low barrier to entry will gas subscriber progress.”
However, Microsoft actually nonetheless sees consoles as central to its Xbox enterprise. “Consoles are thought-about a key well being meter for the model and can proceed to drive [the] majority of income and subscribers,” one other bullet level says.
The doc makes a lot of the enhancements to sustainability on this new Xbox line. The Brooklin Sequence X will draw 15% much less energy total, whereas the low-power standby mode of each consoles makes use of simply 20% of the facility of the present Sequence S standby mode. The Sebile controller is constituted of extra recycled supplies and fewer resin, has a detachable and replaceable rechargeable battery, and is designed to be disassembled for restore.
On the wi-fi entrance, upgrades to Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Xbox Wi-fi 2 ought to ship quicker and extra dependable connections to the web and between gadgets.
The choice to depart discs behind utterly will possible be extra controversial. The doc doesn’t tackle this apart from to listing “all-digital ecosystem” as a part of Microsoft’s purpose to “preserve know-how management and innovation.”
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24934190/Screenshot_2023_09_19_121600.png "New all-digital Xbox Sequence X design coming subsequent 12 months Specific Instances 2")
Every part in regards to the leaked doc seems credible, nevertheless it’s price noting that it’s dated Could 2022, and plans like these change on a regular basis; it might already be outdated. Even when these plans for the refreshed {hardware} vary stay correct, Microsoft might now be pressured to alter them in response to this leak. Polygon has contacted Microsoft for remark.
