A new leak has let the cat out of the bag, when it comes to what new hardware Microsoft has in store. Regarding the ongoing Microsoft and FTC court battle over Activision Blizzard, some new classified documents have been leaked. While much of the court document was redacted, certain parts were mistakenly left available for public view, including detailed images and information about upcoming refreshes to the Xbox Series line of consoles.

The leaked roadmap shows that Microsoft plans on releasing a "slim" refresh of the Xbox Series X, with the working name of Project Brooklin. It'll boast more storage, a different physical design, better power usage, a new controller, and some improved internals over the original Xbox Series X. The system will also be digital only.

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Project Sebile is the codename for the updated Xbox controller, which sees Bluetooth 5.2, a rechargeable battery, modular thumbstick, and an accelerometer, among other things. Also noted within the document is a "Project Ellewood", which will be a 1TB console, with a retail price of $299.99, presumably the upgraded version of the Xbox Series S, featuring more storage, better Wi-Fi, and reduced power consumption. Additionally, "Edith", another codename for what appears to be the Xbox Series S, will be priced at $199 for Black Friday to push sales for the older system. Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to announce the "end of life" for Starkville, though it's not specified for what system that may be.

While things may change, and the document might be out of date by now, as it was originally shown to the FTC in October 2022, the graph shows that Microsoft plans on releasing the new Xbox controller sometime in May or June of 2024, with the announcement of both Project Ellewood and Brooklin to follow shortly after. An actual release timeframe for the Xbox Series S refresh is set for the end of August 2024, and the Xbox Series X refresh to follow shortly at the end of October 2024.

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[Lodad]

You will own nothing and like it.

EDIT: Where the hell do you put this thing? "Innovative new design" - makes sense that they've never seen a trash can where this design belongs.

 

[RichardTheKing]

Will the rumoured Switch 2 be the only console to still have physical games, or is this the end of an era?

Post automatically merged: Sep 19, 2023

You will own nothing and like it.

Apart from downloading ROMs and the like, anyway, but not every game will be fortunate enough to be backed up - which is unfortunate for us.

 

[tech3475]

Ignoring my dislike for the loss of physical media on consoles.

I hope they don't just call it the 'Series X All Digital', back with the Xbone SAD Edition we did have morons who wouldn't actually read what they were buying.

 

[RichardTheKing]

Ignoring my dislike for the loss of physical media on consoles.

I hope they don't just call it the 'Series X All Digital', back with the Xbone SAD Edition we did have morons who wouldn't actually read what they were buying.

"Xbone SAD Edition"? Which one was that?

 

[Graxer]

"Xbone SAD Edition"? Which one was that?

"Xbox One S All Digital"

 

[Viri]

From a VCR console, to a fridge console, to an air filter console.

 

[CeeDee]

Additionally, "Edith", another codename for what appears to be the Xbox Series S, will be priced at $199 for Black Friday to push sales for the older system. Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to announce the "end of life" for Starkville, though it's not specified for what system that may be.​

Hasn't it already been $199? Is that really going to move units off shelves??

 

[K3Nv2]

Apple?

 

[Chary]

Hasn't it already been $199? Is that really going to move units off shelves??

For Prime Day 2023 and Black Friday 2022.

Given the document is from late 2022, though, there's enough leeway to assume things changed, or plans got shifted up. A new 1TB version of the Series S has already been out as well, though whether it's the one with the new codename from the document, I'm not sure.

 

[eyeliner]

The new Xbox SX looks like one of those air freshener things from Glade.
It was to be expected, but seems weird, as there are plenty of disks around, and eliminating the disk drive will make those same disks useless.

I'd like to see a console, all digital, yeah? And like, for the physical lovers out there, an external drive to connect to the console, yeah? Seems reasonable, yeah?
Like, wassup, guys? Why you no make things?

 

[datapagan]

Ignoring the trashcan, the controller sounds too good to be true, hitting all the boxes, and gyro as well?
Can't see that getting support given how late this is being released

 

[subcon959]

Ditching all previously released physical media halfway through a console life cycle is bonkers.

 

[NinStar]

Will the rumoured Switch 2 be the only console to still have physical games, or is this the end of an era?

Likely, but I honestly don't see the point of them keeping a cartridge slot when they allow games to be incomplete in the cartridge itself, there are countless examples of this on the nintendo switch.

And I know that a lot of times this happens because they don't produce cartridges with enough storage for such games due to costs, so what is the point having them to begin with?

 

[tech3475]

Likely, but I honestly don't see the point of them keeping a cartridge slot when they allow games to be incomplete in the cartridge itself, there are countless examples of this on the nintendo switch.

And I know that a lot of times this happens because they don't produce cartridges with enough storage for such games due to costs, so what is the point having them to begin with?

It's still better from an ease of use and DRM perspective.

We sell the 'code in a box' at work and some people struggle with them e.g. 'how do I redeem the game?', 'where is my game?', etc.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Wow! Amazing new way to play games from another consoles (because series have any game their own).

 

[DinohScene]

Apple?

View attachment 394672

My first thought as well.
Fuck this generation of consoles is ugly af.

 

[Lazyt]

who even leaks this are just people dont give a shi.. about NDA anymore or what? how come nowadays everything in game industry just leaks?

 

[MikaDubbz]

The Series X's backwards compatability with games from every gen of Xbox before it is one of the strongest selling points for the system in my opinion. To deny yourself that much functionality with the Xbox Series X seems so foolish to me.

 

[console]

Wow! Microsoft force gaming hardware to digital only right now!

What a very bad move!

That's why I refuse support Microsoft anymore. I'm glad never own any Xbox consoles for myself. Few of my cousins had Xbox consoles but sad news then all Xbox consoles will end up in e-recycle. RIP Xbox consoles.

If what happened if Sony and Nintendo force gaming consoles to digital only then I have right to cut off support and refuse give my money for companies in near future then I can rest on gaming PC computers forever.

Digital only of gaming consoles are very bad and total catastrophic!

RIP digital gaming consoles.