Microsoft appears poised for an all-digital future, people. The corporate is swapping the black coating on the Xbox Sequence X for white and pulling the disc-drive for an all-digital refresh of its “strongest Xbox ever,” based on eXputer.
Learn Extra: Xbox Sequence X/S Redesign And New Controller Coming In 2024, In accordance To Leaked Plans
The gaming and know-how web site eXputer revealed a sequence of leaked photographs on March 27 of this new, all-white, all-digital Xbox Sequence X. Primarily based on these relatively low-quality photographs, it seems just like the bones of this new console are the very same because the $500 Xbox Sequence X that’s at the moment on retailer cabinets—which is an oblong field with a waffle vent on the prime that may be saved vertically or horizontally. Nonetheless, upon additional inspection, it’s clear that the brand new, white Sequence X lacks the disc drive that’s on the entrance of the unique mannequin.
This transformation strains up with paperwork that leaked in September 2023 (which initially purported a cylindrical design as a substitute of the shoe field aesthetic) that additionally eliminated the disc drive. On the again, the white Sequence X homes the identical ports because the black Sequence X, which means Xbox’s Seagate storage growth playing cards ought to nonetheless work, permitting you to extend the console’s storage capability. That’s nice as a result of some video games, just like the 140GB Name of Responsibility: Trendy Warfare III, are monstrous, and also you’ll need to obtain the total file measurement of each sport you’ll wish to play on it. The brand new mannequin will even reportedly have an upgraded heatsink to chill the system higher. The Verge corroborated eXputer’s report, too, saying the “leaked images are real” primarily based on extra documentation outlining the modifications between the consoles.
In response to eXputer, the all-digital Sequence X will reportedly launch this June or July. It’s going to additionally reportedly value $50-$100 cheaper than the Sequence X, which places it within the center between the $300 Sequence S and the $500 Sequence X, price-wise.
One query stays: Will the refreshed Sequence X characteristic every other tech upgrades? These aforementioned leaked Sequence X mannequin recordsdata, which got here from the FTC’s try at blocking Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, purported a mid-cycle replace for the Sequence X that featured a cylindrical design, a brand new controller with haptic suggestions just like the PS5’s DualSense, higher WI-FI assist, much less energy consumption, and 2TB of inside storage as a substitute of 1TB. It’s exhausting to inform if these leaked photographs eXputer has of the refreshed Sequence X will include these identical upgrades, but it surely no less than appears that Microsoft’s plans for a serious console overhaul have modified.
Kotaku has reached out to Microsoft for remark.
Learn Extra: All-Digital Xbox Leak Reignites Sport Preservation Fears
It is sensible that Microsoft goes all-digital. Some retailers look like finished promoting bodily Xbox video games as a result of the corporate’s newest consoles are extra related to digital video games largely due to Xbox Sport Move. Huge titles, just like the lately launched Alan Wake II and the upcoming Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, have foregone or will forgo bodily discs of their packing containers. Publishers are questioning the hassle it takes to port video games to Xbox due to the console’s decrease gross sales in Europe. And among the firm’s video games are beginning to present up on different platforms. Regardless of gamer dad and Xbox head Phil Spencer swearing that sport preservation is “entrance and heart” for the corporate, all these strikes recommend the corporate’s is gearing up for an all-digital future, one which might reignite fears round preserving video games as an artwork kind.