PGC NEWS

Microsoft has confirmed that they are no longer developing games for the Xbox One console family. “We’ve moved on to Gen 9,” stated Xbox Game Studios head, Matt Booty, in a recent interview, referring to the Xbox Series X/S consoles.

This doesn’t mean, however, that Microsoft is entirely abandoning the previous generation. While new titles like Forza Motorsport 8 won’t have Xbox One versions, owners can still access these games through Xbox Cloud Gaming, a feature included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. “That’s how we’re going to maintain support,” Booty explained.

This announcement solidifies the end of the Xbox One’s lifecycle as a platform for new, first-party game development. In January 2022, Cindy Walker, Senior Director of Xbox Console Product Marketing, revealed that Microsoft had ceased production of Xbox One consoles in 2020. Now, the console’s future game library relies solely on third-party developers.

Xbox One

Several major games are still slated for release on Xbox One in 2023, including Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Diablo IV, Dead Island 2, Lies of P, and Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon. This signifies a continued commitment from third-party studios to support the existing player base.

Booty also shared further insights during the interview. He emphasized that the development cycle for AAA games typically spans around five years. With the acquisition of numerous first-party studios, Microsoft is confident in their ability to release four major titles annually for the Xbox Series X/S. This commitment to a regular release schedule demonstrates their focus on the current generation of consoles.

This shift to focus exclusively on the Xbox Series X/S allows Microsoft to leverage the full potential of the new hardware, delivering more immersive and technically advanced gaming experiences. While the Xbox One will continue to be supported through cloud gaming, the future of Xbox lies firmly with the current generation. Microsoft’s strategy prioritizes pushing the boundaries of gaming technology while still offering accessibility to previous-generation players through cloud-based solutions.