A new Xbox next-gen console hardware update has dropped, and the new rumour claims that the next Xbox console will have an external disc drive that can be bought separately. Furthermore, the leaked mid-gen Xbox refresh has been cancelled, as per rumours. Elsewhere, a Microsoft Director’s LinkedIn profile had PlayStation and Switch listed as part of the business strategy, and that was quickly removed when people noticed. Furthermore, there are several physical Xbox games from small publishers which are being cancelled on Gamestop’s internal systems, but are still available for pre-order. Here are more details on the latest Xbox-related news.
Fresh off the bat after reporting that Xbox’s next-gen consoles are coming in 2026 and will feature a Switch-like dockable handheld, a new report from YouTuber and Xbox community member Magg claims that the next-gen console will come with an external disc drive which can be purchased separately. Magg also claimed that the leaked Xbox mid-gen refresh has been scrapped by Microsoft. He also added that an Xbox controller featuring haptics and adaptive triggers, like the PS5 DualSense, will now be launched alongside the next-gen consoles. You can check out Magg’s report in the video below (at 17:55 timestamp).
Microsoft director mentions PlayStation and Switch in business strategy, and then quickly removes it
Amid a wide range of wild speculations at Xbox, there’s more fuel added to the fire as a Microsoft Director has just been spotted mentioning PlayStation and Switch as part of a business strategy on his LinkedIn profile (spotted by X user @bogorad222). Cary Chen, a part of Microsoft Asia’s team, quickly deleted the platforms after people took notice given the uncertainly of where Xbox’s future is headed; amid the current reports about removing game exclusivity and exiting the console business, this incident has some fans even more concerned than before.
Update:He removed the platforms https://t.co/fIS25oSFZm pic.twitter.com/lunjNFPev7
— Timur222 (@bogorad222) February 8, 2024
Also Read: Take-Two CEO Says Competing Xbox and PlayStation Consoles Are a ‘Benefit’ but Not a ‘Necessity’
Smaller publishers have cancelled their physical Xbox games
There’s a new rumour that several Xbox physical games from small publishers have been cancelled for Xbox on GameStop’s internal system and these titles are also listed as “Currently unavailable” on Amazon. However, physical editions for these titles are still available for pre-order
News: A number of Xbox physical game releases from smaller publishers have been marked as cancelled on GameStop’s internal system. Games are also listed as “Currently unavailable” on Amazon. Other platforms are still available for pre-order. pic.twitter.com/xbCleIY1Ht
— Cheap Ass Gamer (@videogamedeals) February 8, 2024
This may be a response from smaller publishers about the current state of Xbox and how the company is planning to completely move away from physical discs, with the rumoured all-digital consoles for next-gen.
Continue Reading: Microsoft Picks Up Hauntii for Xbox Game Pass
