Recently, some secret Microsoft files ended up on the internet. These files are part of the legal case of Microsoft against the U.S. government, specifically the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The fight started in June and ended in July with Microsoft winning.
What’s in these leaked files? They hold some super-secret stuff about Microsoft’s gaming part, called Xbox. You’ll find out about what kind of gaming hardware they’re planning for the future and which game companies they want to buy. We’ll break it down for you.
Xbox Exclusivity for The Elder Scrolls 6
People have been waiting a long time for “The Elder Scrolls 6,” a popular game series from Bethesda. We haven’t heard much about it since a teaser in 2018. But now, the leaked documents say something interesting. “The Elder Scrolls 6” is not just for Xbox, it might even come out as early as 2026.
This isn’t a big surprise. A while back, Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media, the company that owns Bethesda. So, it makes sense that they’d want their games only on Xbox.
Nintendo’s New Console News
Lately, there have been rumors that Nintendo is working on a new game system. The leaked emails add fuel to that fire.
The emails show that Nintendo talked to Activision about their new console in December 2022. We can’t see everything in the emails because some parts are hidden. But it’s clear that they were getting ready for a meeting with Nintendo’s boss and some Activision big shots. They also said that this new Nintendo console would be as good as a PS4 or Xbox One.
New Xbox Series X and S Coming Soon
Even though the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, said they don’t need new Xbox consoles right now, the leaked papers say something different. Microsoft is getting ready to release new Xbox Series X and S in the next year.
The new Xbox Series X is called “Brooklin,” and it’s smaller and doesn’t have a disc drive like the old one. It also has more storage and memory up to 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. The updated Series S, called “Ellewood,” has more memory too. The price will stay the same as before. Both will be announced next summer, with Ellewood coming out in August 2024 and Brooklin in October 2024.
Old Games Getting a Makeover
One of the papers that got leaked is from three years ago before Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media. It had some secrets, like plans to make old games new again. “Fallout 3” and “The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion” are on that list.
The paper also said that “Starfield” would make a lot of money, but remember, this is from before Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media.
Xbox’s Next-Gen Console in 2028
Microsoft isn’t just thinking about the next year; they’re also looking way ahead. They’re planning to launch a brand new Xbox in 2028. This one is called a “next-generation hybrid game platform.” In 2027, they’ll give out special tools for people to make games for it. The paper also talks about a “thin OS” for a cheap handheld device, maybe for playing games on the cloud.
Microsoft’s Big Dreams: Buying Nintendo
During the fight with the government, Microsoft had a list of 100 companies they thought about buying. They ended up with just eight on their list, like Sega and Square Enix. But here’s a surprise: they were thinking about buying Nintendo too!
In an email from August 2020, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, said he really wanted to buy Nintendo. He said it would be a huge deal. They also thought about buying Valve and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, which would mean they own even more game companies.
More Gaming Gadgets on the Way
Besides new Xbox consoles, the leaked papers show that Microsoft is working on other gaming stuff. There are pictures from May 2022 with ideas for new gadgets. There’s a controller you can hold with one hand and another one like the Backbone or Razer Kishi for playing games on your phone. There’s also a new game controller called “Sebile” that connects right to the cloud.
Phil Spencer’s Thoughts on the PS5
Back in 2020, when Sony showed off the PS5, Phil Spencer sent an email to Microsoft’s boss and money boss. He said he liked what he saw and thought Xbox was better than Sony, not just for the hardware but also the software and services.
But remember, this was back in 2020, before the new Xbox and PS5 came out. During the fight with the government, Microsoft said they lost the “console wars,” so things might be different now.
Microsoft’s Problem: Not Enough Games in 2022
The emails from May 2022 show that Microsoft had a big problem. They didn’t have enough games for 2022 because some got delayed. Games like “Starfield,” “Redfall,” and “Stalker 2” were supposed to come out, but they didn’t.
Microsoft had to come up with a plan. They wanted to make deals with other game companies to fill in the gaps. They also talked about “Baldur’s Gate 3” and maybe getting the “Dark Souls” games for their Game Pass.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Upgrade
In those May 2022 emails, there’s a note about “Red Dead Redemption 2.” It says the game might get a new version for the new consoles in late 2022.
Who’s to Blame for the Leaks?
With all these secret files out in the open, the big question is: who’s responsible? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it’s not their fault. Douglas Farrar, who works for the FTC, said they didn’t put Microsoft’s secret plans online.
To sum it up, these leaked papers give us a sneak peek into Microsoft’s gaming world, with new Xbox consoles, exclusive games, and big dreams of buying other game companies. Even though the leaks raised security concerns, they also sparked a lot of excitement among gamers. Stay tuned for more updates on these developments.