Have you been squirreling away your pennies in the hopes that Microsoft would announce a power-up Xbox Series X at its recent Xbox Games Showcase? You can shove that change back into that piggy bank.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Xbox Games Studios, recently poured cold water on the prospect of either the Series X or the cheaper Xbox Series S receiving a mid-gen hardware refresh. Speaking to Bloomberg News, the Xbox boss said he “doesn’t feel an imperative” to release upgraded versions of Microsoft’s consoles (that’s not including the black 1TB version of the Xbox Series S Microsoft revealed at the showcase).
When pressed further, he added: “Right now, we’re pretty set on the hardware we have.” That’s undoubtedly a blow for gamers hoping to see Pro models of the Series X and Series S. And is surprising given rumors around an upgraded PS5, the so-called PS5 Pro, have been gathering pace lately.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Spencer at least sprinkled a little good news during his interview, with a promise Microsoft had “significantly increased supplies” in order to reduce the types of stock shortages that have blighted the Series X since it launched.
I’m actually all for Spencer’s tactics on this one. After all, Xbox Series X and the less powerful S have only been out for two-and-a-half years. Seeing as the PS4 and Xbox One generations launched back in November 2013 — and both machines remain supported to this day — the idea of upgraded consoles being parachuted into a generation that’s only 30 months old feels premature.
It’s not that I don’t love a mid-cycle hardware refresh (when the timing is right). I practically threw my wallet at Sony and Microsoft when they released the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X.