- Xbox is reportedly turning its next-gen console into a Windows gaming PC with access to the console’s full native library
- According to reports, games will be available from multiple stores such as Steam, Battle.net, and Epic Games
- This may not appeal to some consumers, especially due to the likelihood of a high asking price
There’s no denying that 2025 has been a truly surprising year for console fans, with Xbox at the center of controversy with absurd console price increases, the fresh ROG Xbox Ally handheld costing $999, and its exclusive franchises such as Halo AND Forza Horizon are coming to PlayStation – and it looks like the strange choices don’t end there.
According to our friends from Windows HQThe next-gen Xbox will essentially be a Windows gaming PC, with the console’s full native library available along with access to games from multiple PC stores like Steam without having to pay for online multiplayer.
This all sounds great on paper, and it will be Very I’m glad Microsoft and Xbox are the first to move away from the blatant forced subscription strategy for online multiplayer games. This also means that Xbox gamers will be able to get the best of the world of PC and consoles, but I have two questions.
What makes it so different from a full-fledged gaming PC (in terms of software), and why would someone choose this over a more powerful custom gaming PC (especially when it can cost at least $1,000)?
In addition to a decent number of titles exclusive to Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, Game Pass games are also available on PC, which mainly consists of fresh AAA games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 or recent Ninja Gaiden 4. While the hardware Xbox intends to utilize in its next-gen console isn’t really close to what you’d find when building a gaming PC, Xbox abandoning the console brand it has spent years building seems a bit extreme.
I’m well aware that Valve is supposedly doing the same thing with the rumored Steam console, but it’s not the same situation. Xbox has been competing with PlayStation in the home console market for decades, and recent decisions, including a reported move to what is largely a gaming PC, could eliminate console competition altogether.
This is certainly concerning, especially if, like me, you feel that PlayStation has been lackluster in its efforts over the last few years – that is, if PlayStation doesn’t do the same thing that Xbox is allegedly doing here.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that it appears to be a console driven by Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system, which will take full advantage of the ROG Xbox Ally “full screen experience”, with the ability to exit the mode and switch to Windows. I can’t emphasize this enough, but Windows 11 has been a nightmare for me and other PC gamers, with inferior performance compared to SteamOS and other annoying bugs that ruin the entire experience.
I may be in the minority and think this isn’t a great move on Xbox’s part; I don’t mind players being able to play whatever they want on any platform, but since PlayStation doesn’t have the same intentions as Xbox, I can see it hurting competition on consoles.
It’s also worth noting that this rumor means that premium pricing is all but certain, meaning there will no longer be an option to dive into “console” gaming at an affordable price, and consumers certainly won’t be cheerful about it.
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