Next-gen Xbox hardware will be a first-party console and not an OEM device, according to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer.
During an interview with Famitsu (via Twitter/X user Genki_JPN), Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer shared new insights into the next-gen Xbox console as well as the evolving direction of the platform’s future.
Spencer addressed speculation surrounding future Xbox hardware, clarifying that the next-gen Xbox will be a first-party console. “The ROG Xbox Ally will be released on October 16, 2025. This is an ASUS product,” he said. “I think the hardware that we, Microsoft, announce as a first-party company will be the next console.” While the official reveal has yet to be decided, he added that the ROG Xbox Ally “suggests how the Xbox software platform will evolve, connecting console, PC, and cloud into one ecosystem.”
On software, the Microsoft Gaming CEO expressed enthusiasm for Japanese partnerships, highlighting Ninja Gaiden 4, developed by Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames under Xbox Game Studios. “For Xbox fans, the Ninja Gaiden series is a truly important IP,” he said, noting that the revival came from years of discussion and collaboration.
When asked about the Halo series, Spencer assured fans that it is far from finished. “Halo Studios is planning for the future and taking on new challenges. We’re committed to Unreal Engine 5 and new technologies,” he stated. As for the Forza Motorsport series, he mentioned that Xbox is giving development teams the time they need to maintain quality.
The Microsoft Gaming CEO also reaffirmed the company’s cross-platform strategy, with titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages finding success on PlayStation, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 launching on the Nintendo Switch 2. “If people want to play our games on PlayStation 5 or Switch 2, we’ll make efforts to lower the barrier to entry,” he explained.
