September 20th 2024.
It's no secret that Microsoft is pushing for an Xbox handheld console. With the Tokyo Game Show fast approaching, the company is setting challenging revenue and profit goals for its gaming division.
Unfortunately, the sales for the Xbox Series X/S have not been able to keep up with its competitors, Sony and Nintendo. In an effort to expand their revenue streams beyond consoles, Microsoft has made some bold moves, such as making the Xbox Game Pass subscription available on other devices, raising prices, and even releasing exclusive Xbox games on other platforms.
The pursuit for profits has also led to some major acquisitions, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. The latter buyout has helped Xbox stay afloat, as seen in their latest financial report. In a recent interview, sources revealed that Microsoft has set particularly challenging profit goals for Xbox, further shedding light on the company's current direction.
In a profile interview with Xbox president Sarah Bond, Bloomberg reports that "people familiar with Xbox's business" claim that the company is facing a difficult set of revenue and profit goals. Although Bond did not comment on these claims, she did acknowledge the challenges facing Xbox and stressed the importance of taking risks. She believes that the potential rewards far outweigh the risks, stating, "the opportunity on the other side is way bigger for all of us."
But this isn't the only big news for Xbox. A new Xbox Series X is set to release later this year. While there are no official numbers for the financial goals set by Microsoft, it's safe to say that their recent $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has greatly inflated their expectations for the future of Xbox, especially with the hugely successful Call of Duty franchise now under their belt.
To potentially boost subscriber numbers for Xbox Game Pass and increase profits, the company has also increased the prices of the service. This move is also likely influenced by the fact that the next installment of Call of Duty, Black Ops 6, will only be available on the more expensive Ultimate tier at launch on October 25.
But despite all these changes, Xbox is not leaving the hardware business behind. In fact, Microsoft has been consistently discussing their plans for the next generation of consoles over the past year, promising it will be "the biggest technological leap ever" between consoles. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has even hinted at a potential handheld device in their future plans. And now, Bond has also mentioned the idea, although in vague terms.
According to Bloomberg, Bond has talked about a handheld device as a way to introduce an Xbox-specific experience to future gamers who have yet to form their gaming habits. She even expressed her desire for everyone to feel welcome on Xbox, saying, "I want people to think, no matter who you are, you can come to Xbox and find a game that's for you."
It's clear that Xbox is indeed working on a handheld console, but it's uncertain if it will be a separate device or a hybrid, similar to the Nintendo Switch. Recent rumors suggest that Sony is also planning for a handheld in their next generation plans, so it seems like both companies are following a similar strategy.
Only time will tell if Xbox will have a successful console, but Bond has acknowledged that the decisions being made now will have a significant impact on the next decade. As for the immediate future, Xbox is set to make a presentation at the Tokyo Game Show on Thursday, September 26. This will be streamed on Xbox's social channels and the show's official YouTube channel.
In other news, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle is set to release on Xbox later this year. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and leave a comment below. And for easier submission of your letters and features, use our Submit Stuff page.
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