REDMOND, Washington – Amid rumors swirling online about the future of the Xbox brand, Microsoft addressed its employees directly at a town hall meeting last week. The meeting provided insight into the company’s plans ahead of its upcoming event on February 15.
Xbox head Phil Spencer reportedly reassured employees that Xbox hardware will continue beyond the current generation Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, Xbox president Sarah Bond outlined the company’s strategy of being “existing on multiple kinds of devices and greater ambitions of becoming the number one cross-platform gaming company” by emphasizing that “every screen is an Xbox.”
Images of the surprise hit game Palworld were showcased on various devices, including televisions, mobile devices, tablets, and handheld devices, to emphasize the company’s multi-device strategy. The presentation even included a light-hearted mention of a possible Xbox handheld.
Rumors have circulated about a potential Xbox handheld, but Microsoft has not commented on the speculation despite multiple inquiries. There have been claims that the Microsoft Surface team is working on the next Xbox device, adding fuel to the rumors.
Xbox is anticipated to announce plans to bring some first-party games to other platforms, with Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment rumored to be the first two games set for release on non-Xbox consoles.
The internal messaging from Microsoft’s town hall meeting has sparked curiosity and speculation among gaming enthusiasts about the future of the Xbox brand and the company’s broader strategy. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Microsoft’s commitment to a cross-platform gaming experience and the expansion of its gaming ecosystem are becoming increasingly clear.