State of Gaming - Xbox 2025
What 2025 is looking like for the green X
Where We Are…
2024 was a mixed bag for Microsoft and Xbox. The company had a solid start with the closing of the Activision-Blizzard deal. Microsoft stuck to its promise of keeping its new titles on multiple platforms, focusing on using titles like Call of Duty for marketing purposes. However, many continued to argue and debate over their plans to expand beyond selling consoles. Fears over the future of the brand’s hardware were the main concern. The consoles saw a dip in units sold. Despite all this, they had a strong ending thanks to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a game that received critical acclaim and showed what the promise of Microsoft’s acquisitions could be.
No More Red Lines
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has now stated that there are no more red lines regarding whether their games come to other platforms. We already see that, as Forza Horizon 5 recently got announced for the PS5. Microsoft is all in on an Android-type ecosystem and brand. A lot of gamers are shellshocked and confused by these moves by Xbox. This is new territory that many gamers aren’t used to. Expect to see more of this as the year goes on. We’re hearing reports that Microsoft will support the Switch 2 heavily with potential titles like Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Sea of Thieves, Starfield, and more.
A Stacked Year
If there’s one thing you can’t say any more about Xbox is that it has no games. 2025 will be a stacked year for Xbox Games Studios, Bethesda, and Activision. The year starts with South of Midnight and Doom: The Dark Ages in the Spring. There’s also Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a day-one Game Pass title getting a lot of hype. It’s not an Xbox Games Studios game, but it shows Game Pass's power and value. We also have the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4, which Microsoft funded and is publishing. Rumors suggest that Gears of War: E-Day could be the holiday title and that’s before we talk about games like Fable and the latest Call of Duty which will only continue to show the power of Xbox and Game Pass. So it looks like Xbox’s published games will fill out the year well, but third-party titles alone will also give Xbox fans more to play.
The biggest release of the year should be Grand Theft Auto VI, and Xbox owners will have a front-row seat to it. Assassins’ Creed: Shadows is due out soon as Ubisoft looks to gain some momentum during a tough financial time for the company. Plus, if rumors are true, we could see Final Fantasy XVI finally come to the Xbox Series consoles, and as a massive fan of the game, I highly suggest Xbox-only gamers play it. Of course, these are all the announced titles, as many more should be getting release dates and filled out for the rest of the year. It's safe to say if you own an Xbox Series console, you’ll be busy playing games, especially Game Pass subscribers.
New Hardware?
There’s been a rumor going around that Microsoft is trying to jump the gun before Sony and release their next console in the holiday of 2026, which, if true, means we should start getting leaks and plans later this year. However, I’m more on the side, believing this isn’t true. I think the next Xbox comes in 2027 or 2028 at the latest. Even then, I think what Microsoft considers a console will change. Reports claim they’re considering letting other tech companies make their own Xbox consoles while still making their own. With all that being said, I don’t think that takes out the possibility of new hardware this year. They did reveal the 2 TB Xbox Series X system last year, but it’s been marketed as a limited-time unit. Maybe we could see a new digital-only Series X unit with 2 TB storage. There’s also the constant talk about an Xbox handheld, but I don’t think that happens this year. Whatever the case, we may get something new regarding the current consoles, but I would be surprised to get a handheld or any talk of the next generation.
The State of Xbox is… Good
Since Phil Spencer took over Xbox, he’s been transforming and fixing the brand for a decade plus. Finally, it feels like the long road Phil has taken is coming full circle. Games will become the name of the game for Xbox more than ever. This year will be filled with exciting Xbox and Windows ecosystems software. After years of Xbox fans saying this could be the year, it does feel like it won’t be a wish by the end of this one. Xbox is taking a risk and changing the concept of a brand and platform. However you feel about the new direction, Microsoft does have a strong year coming for their software, at the very least. Things for Xbox are looking really good for 2025.
Be Nice to All!
Truly a stacked year especially if Fable comes out this year and I still can't believe we get two Obsidian games this year