Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Microsoft talks “new Xbox” as Xbox Windows games surface

By

xbox 720 durango concept microsoft xbox live consoleWhile the device is undeniably real, Microsoft has yet to acknowledge publicly the existence of its next generation Xbox. The Xbox 720, Durango, or whatever it’s ultimately named is out there. Patents filed with the US Patents and Trademark Office describe the apparently scalable video game console; a leaked document detailing Microsoft’s 10-year plan for the Xbox brand also offers up details about the next Xbox; just over one week ago, a Durango development unit was actually put up for sale for $10,000. Meanwhile Microsoft has stayed silent.

Not anymore. For the very first time, a Microsoft executive has publicly discussed the Xbox 360’s successor, even if only in passing. Speaking with The Verge, Microsoft general manager Brian Hall discussed Windows 8’s central role in all of Microsoft’s products going forward, including the Xbox 720.

Recommended Videos

“We just decided it was time to do something new and bring the best from each of those and put them together and release it right in time for the new wave of products that we could have coming out with Windows 8, with the new version of Office, with the new Windows Phone, and the new Xbox,” said Hall.

Related

His statements confirm what’s long been suspected: The closed, iOS-styled new Windows 8 operating system will be a central part of the Xbox 720. Surprising? Hardly. That Microsoft is finally taking steps to discuss that new device is exciting not just for gaming aficionados but retailers and game makers anxious to publicly talk about the future of the industry.

Hall’s statements are particularly notable in light of Tuesday’s other Microsoft-related news: The rebranding of familiar Windows-based games under the Xbox banner. X360A.org (via Eurogamer) reported that the 21st century’s greatest time wasters Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Mahjong, and Minesweeper will all be branded as Xbox Windows games when Windows 8 releases in October. What’s more, all three will now bear 50 points for an Xbox Live profile Gamerscore. There are Achievements for silly things, like getting blown up for the first time in Minesweeper.

Windows 8 is poised to finally sync Microsoft’s living room business with its PC business, an ambition it’s failed to realize with Games for Windows Live and Xbox Live Anywhere in the past. Microsoft believes that this sort of accessibility will appeal to today’s constantly connected consumers, but will game makers flock to the platform? Valve, Blizzard, and other developers are bristling at Windows 8’s suspected restrictions. Will the operating system’s ubiquity across Microsoft’s devices drive those developers to competing platforms?

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Anthony John Agnello
Anthony John Agnello
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Anthony John Agnello is a writer living in New York. He works as the Community Manager of Joystiq.com and his writing has…
April’s most anticipated RPG is coming to Xbox Game Pass
Key art for Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes.

We've learned about the titles that will come to Xbox Game Pass throughout the back half of April, and several of them are games getting added to the catalog the day they launch. Of those, the most notable is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

While that name is a mouthful, RPG fans will want to pay attention to Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes as it is a spiritual successor to the long-dormant Konami RPG series Suikoden. Many of the developers who worked on the original Suikoden games worked together to reimagine the concept for the modern era, creating an RPG with over 100 recruitable party members, engaging combat, and a gorgeous pixelated art style that gives Square Enix's HD-2D games a run for their money. Prequel game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is already on Xbox Game Pass too, so Microsoft seems all-in on backing this Suikoden successor as we wait for Konami to release remasters of those titles or a new game in the series.

Read more
Best gaming console deals: cheapest prices on PS5, Xbox S and X and Switch
father and son playing video games

The latest generation of consoles has been one of the hottest yet when it comes to performance, games, price, and even looks, with some getting the side-eye when they first came out. Even so, there are a lot of folks who might want to upgrade, and there are some great Xbox Series S and X deals, PlayStation 5 deals, and Nintendo Switch deals you can take advantage of below. We've done our best to go out and find the best deals we can, although you should be aware that there's currently a bit of a Nintendo drought going on, and most deals on the Switch and its versions that are worth grabbing are refurbished.
Xbox Series S deals -- starting at $275

The Xbox Series S is the less powerful but cheaper option out of the newest generation Xbox line. When comparing the Xbox Series S versus the Xbox Series X, the Series S takes a hit in all the component categories. That means it's not quite as fast. But if you're not hung up on getting the optimal performance out of your system, you'll actually notice very few differences. The two biggest ones are the Series S's inability to play in 8K, and its lack of a disc drive. Most people don't even have 8K TVs, so that shouldn't be an issue. If you're alright with downloading all of your games straight to the console's memory (and you have a separate DVD or Blu-Ray player), the Series S will work fine. It's quite a bit smaller anyway, and easier to fit on a shelf.

Read more
The best games on Xbox Game Pass for right now (April 2024)

As the Xbox Game Pass program has grown, so has our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass. After the launch of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has doubled down on Game Pass, now offering well over 350 games on the console alone. To help you through option paralysis, we rounded up the top games on Microsoft's subscription platform.

Many titles are available on Xbox and PC, and some even have cross-save support. Most of the games are available for streaming on mobile, too, as long as you have Game Pass Ultimate. The Game Pass library is also constantly changing, so check out our monthly guide for addition and removal announcements.

Read more