Is Microsoft effectively ruling out a 'Pro' console this generation the right move for Xbox? digitalfoundry reports:
I often refer readers to ourfrom back in the day, where Microsoft laid out in precise terms why it launched two consoles simultaneously. Put simply, the firm saw no realistic way to make Series X substantially cheaper across the console generation, so it introduced a lower spec model at launch instead of a cost-reduced 'flagship' machine further down the road.
Beyond that, assuming a 'PS5 Pro' is happening at some point, the question is what kind of new console could actually be delivered bearing in mind Microsoft's explanations of how difficult it is to create new, more powerful hardware in a world where 'cost per transistor' isn't reducing quickly enough any more. The truth is, that's a difficult one to answer.
AMD isn't quite as forthcoming on its roadmaps as it used to be, but three years on from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, there has been tremendous improvement in CPU performance. Today's Zen 4 architecture is a big leap from the Zen 2 in the current consoles. Beyond that, AMD must surely be aware by now that its lack of machine learning acceleration is harming its consumer products, so I would expect some kind of DLSS competitor to make its way into a future console.
Another potential answer to the question is to consider the end of the console generation as we know it with Sony and eventually Microsoft transitioning to a more iterative bump in capabilities every few years, as we've seen in the smartphone space. Or alternatively, this console generation may go on for so long that the enhanced machines could still be coming - just further on down the line compared to their predecessors.
For now though, it really does look as though Microsoft isn't looking to add to its line-up of ninth generation consoles and unless there's a compelling alternative argument from Sony, this looks like the best move. We've not been short of great games to play since the arrival of PS5 and Xbox Series machines but if there's one takeaway from last week's summer game events, it's that developers are stepping up their game.
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