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Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox reportedly arriving in 2020

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox reportedly arriving in 2020

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Codename Scarlett could include a family of Xbox devices

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Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch its next-generation Xbox console in 2020. While Xbox chief Phil Spencer acknowledged this week that the software giant is “deep into architecturing the next Xbox consoles,” Brad Sams at Thurrott.com reports that the next-gen Xbox will arrive in 2020. Microsoft is reportedly working on a “family of devices” under the Scarlett codename, which would also align closely to Spencer’s mention of Xbox “consoles” and not a single console.

It’s not clear what the set of devices could be, but it’s possible Microsoft is reconsidering streaming devices given its focus on a new game streaming service. Sams previously reported that Microsoft would launch “Xbox TV” devices at E3 2016, but the Chromecast-like devices never appeared. Microsoft canceled the devices, codenamed Project Hobart, and they were originally supposed to be $99 streaming sticks to access Xbox One games from a second TV in a house.

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox consoles will undoubtedly support backwards compatibility for existing Xbox One games. Microsoft has put a lot of technical time and marketing effort into backwards compatibility, bringing original Xbox and Xbox 360 games back to the new Xbox One and Xbox One X consoles. Microsoft hasn’t officially detailed its next Xbox plans, but Spencer has assured Xbox fans that “we will once again deliver on our commitment to set the benchmark for console gaming.”