Microsoft’s rumoured next-gen console might end up costing quite a bit more than the equivalent PlayStation. According to known leaker KelperL2, the AMD chip powering the next generation of Xbox consoles – codenamed Magnus – will also be used to power “Xbox”-branded gaming PCs. However, the leaker also notes that only the console itself will feature backwards compatibility with older Xbox games.
Further in the same forum threads, KeplerL2 also notes that, since the underlying chip powering the hardware is the same between the Xbox console and Xbox-branded PCs, the console is also expected to be able to run other PC gaming storefronts, like Steam and GOG. Due to this causing a fundamental change in the console business model, the next Xbox could end up costing around twice as much as the PS6.
Xbox-branded PCs not having access to Xbox games largely comes down to potential legal issues, since publishers are seemingly not keen on having their titles’ Xbox licenses being converted into PC licenses as well. Due to this, only Xbox Play Anywhere-branded games would be playable on both the next Xbox console as well as Xbox-branded PCs. KeplerL2 also noted that game publishers are even now “still not okay” with Xbox’s Play Anywhere initiative, which allows a player to buy a single copy of a game to then own it on both PC and Xbox.
The legal issues that might arise from PC players getting access to Xbox games are seemingly not a factor when it comes to doing things the other way around. Xbox players being able to access their Steam or GOG libraries seemingly creates no potential for legal trouble.
As for why the next-generation Xbox might be priced higher than the PS6, the fact that players could also have access to Steam and GOG means that Microsoft will be missing out on the 30 percent cut the company usually gets from any game sold on its consoles, either physically or digitally. Since this tends to be a major source of revenue for all console makers, Microsoft is expected to price its next console at a higher point to maintain financial viability for its hardware.
These posts would indicate that, much like Sony with the PS6, Microsoft is also aiming to cast a wider net for its next-gen console. Whereas Sony seems to be keen on tapping into the handheld gaming market with bespoke handheld PS6 along with a home console, Microsoft seemingly wants to tap deeper into the PC gaming market. This doesn’t mean that the company is leaving the handheld space behind, however. Microsoft is on the verge of launching handheld gaming systems developed in collaboration with Asus – the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.
Both of the handhelds are slated to hit store shelves worldwide on October 16. Microsoft had revealed more details about the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X during its own presentation at Gamescom 2025 last month, giving us a glimpse of the UI, as well as its new Handheld Compatibility initiative.