Microsoft could also be contemplating opening up the subsequent Xbox to PC recreation shops. It’s a transfer that will assist the corporate shorten the hole between its Xbox console and gaming PCs. Which it’s carried out to a sure diploma of late because of initiatives like Xbox Recreation Cross. The imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Xbox will probably take issues a lot additional than this, although. A latest report from The Verge highlights hints from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer that recommend the corporate has plans for a significant shift in how Xbox operates going ahead.
This shift focuses on opening up the Xbox platform, and permitting Xbox console homeowners to basically play PC video games. As The Verge’s Tom Warren places it, it looks like Microsoft is working to “mix one of the best components of Home windows and Xbox for its next-generation console.” Microsoft hasn’t confirmed how any of this might take form. It has nonetheless made some feedback that would give gamers an thought of what Microsoft is contemplating.
In a latest interview with Polygon from late March, Spencer stated that he needs PC recreation shops just like the Epic Video games Retailer and others on Xbox consoles. It’s a tall order that will finally profit the participant who owns an Xbox. However then once more, it’s nonetheless a course of that will take no small quantity of effort.
Bringing PC recreation shops to the Xbox requires PC recreation compatibility
That is going to be Microsoft’s first hurdle in turning this imaginative and prescient right into a actuality. Earlier than PC recreation shops just like the Epic Video games Retailer could make it to the Xbox, these PC video games might want to work on Xbox. How would Microsoft make this all come collectively? That’s nonetheless unclear. Microsoft clearly hasn’t introduced any official plans. However the closest approximation of what Microsoft might need taken inspiration from is the Steam Deck. The Steam Deck runs on SteamOS which relies on Linux. To get all these Steam video games to work, Valve applied Proton, a compatibility layer, so Home windows video games would work on its Linux-based system.
Microsoft may find yourself doing one thing like this for its subsequent Xbox console. And if it did, it might definitely make issues rather a lot simpler by way of bringing over PC recreation shops. Spencer has been vocal previously about his ideas on platform exclusivity and taking a look at methods to maneuver away from that extra. With the ability to discover a technique to open up the Xbox console to PC recreation shops would go an extended technique to making that occur.