- Phil Spencer has commented on the state of console hardware.
- He feels modern consoles are too similar and intends to introduce a differentiating factor with Xbox in the future.
- The Xbox boss also wants his hardware to win on its own merits as opposed to making use of exclusive games.
The PS5 and Xbox Series S|X consoles launched over four years ago, promising new experiences for console gamers worldwide. All three consoles offered distinct advantages, but they were based on the same core principles.
According to the Xbox boss, this element of the current-gen consoles isn’t necessarily a plus point and needs to be changed.
Why it matters: Console sales have gradually declined over the years, with Xbox struggling to sustain its position as a hardware manufacturer. As such, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming intends to come up with a solution to the problem.
Phil Spencer recently appeared on Destin’s podcast, discussing multiple angles of his approach to the Xbox business.
When asked why one should buy an Xbox despite the lack of true exclusivity on the platform, Phil Spencer was quick to point out that Microsoft intends to focus on innovation for its hardware.
He also noted that modern gaming hardware is too similar, making exclusive games the default reason for consumers picking one console over the other.
I want to make the hardware the differentiator. We’ve got into this space where the differentiation on the hardware has gone down.
-Phil Spencer
This observation is valid since the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X are built on a similar AMD architecture. The consoles still boast unique aspects like Xbox’s Velocity Architecture and PlayStation’s I/O throughput, but these rarely lead to notable differences in most games.
Phil Spencer hopes to make hardware the differentiator moving forward, suggesting that Xbox’s next-generation console, which could arrive as early as 2026, will mix things up in more ways than one.
Moreover, the Microsoft Gaming CEO previously stated that his hardware should win on its own merits.
He noted that handhelds are so appealing for this exact reason since they offer something different from the typical home console experience. As a reminder, Xbox is currently working on its own future handheld, and rumors suggest PlayStation is doing the same.
These statements are interesting since both PlayStation and Xbox relied on different types of hardware until recently, with the PS3 being infamous for its challenging albeit incredibly capable Cell architecture.
It seems the Microsoft Gaming CEO intends to return to a similar era in an attempt to propel Xbox consoles to the top once again. What are your thoughts on this approach? Let us know in the comments, and join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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