The Biggest Leak in Gaming History

We've said before how the gaming industry is one of the most hush-hush behind closed doors things to be apart of. So when I woke up this morning to see that even more documents from the FTC vs. Microsoft case from a few months ago have resurfaced and leaked online, I was in awe. With how much information was given, you have to wonder how hard Microsoft is going to pivot their plans now, with their timeline for essentially the next 10 years out in the open for competitors and the public to see and counter. From acquisitions to content roadmaps to our next console generation, there's a little bit of everything here to dissect, so let's take a moment to talk about everything. Credit goes to Tom Warren and everyone at The Verge for bringing this content to light and pushing it out this morning.

CONSOLE REFRESH
A mid-generation console refresh is seemingly on the horizon, with an updated/discless Xbox Series X coming next year for $499. Originally codenamed "Brooklin", the now cylindrical console comes with 2TB of storage, a USB-C port on the front with power delivery, and a new updated version of the Xbox Series controller. The updated Series X will be adding Wi-Fi 6E support, Bluetooth 5.2 radio, and reducing PSU power usage by 15%. The new controller codenamed "Sebille" is coming much sooner and is set to be announced this year still. It features a two-tone color design, a new accelerometer for gyro support, and quieter buttons and thumbsticks. Unlike older versions, the new controller will have a rechargeable and swappable battery pack and a new feature to "wake" the controller just by picking it up.

The new two-toned controller codenamed “Sebille”

NEXT CONSOLE GENERATION
According to internal documents, Microsoft was planning to launch the next generation of Xbox in 2028. "Our vision: develop a next-generation hybrid game platform capable of leveraging the combined power of the client and cloud to deliver deeper immersion and entirely new classes of game experiences" comes right from a May 2022 internal presentation called "The Next Generation of Gaming at Microsoft". The presentation outlines the idea of having a sub-$99 device, possibly a handheld variation, plus XCloud as the main way of playing games for the next generation. Some examples people have used are Flight Simulator streaming in its photo realistic scenary from a 2-petabyte cloud (something I didn't even know existed), or what I immediately thought of was the original marketing for Crackdown 3, where the real-time destruction and evolution of the city would be streamed in via cloud instead of taking up resources on the hardware end.

GAMES, GAMES, AND MORE GAMES!
The most interesting information that was unveiled is the Bethesda content roadmap pre-Microsoft acquisition. There are many unannounced projects and titles that were slated to be out already, but you assume that with COVID-related delays and Microsoft wanting to pad out their platform for years to come, some projects are being given more time. Here's the Bethesda internal release schedule for fiscal year 2020-2024:
2020
Doom Eternal and DLC
Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor
Fallout:Wastelanders
Deathloop

MOBILE
FallOut Shelter Online (yet to be revealed if still in development)
Project Whirlwind (No lead on what this was.)


Starfield
Untitled Elder Scrolls Online Expansion
Redfall
Doom Eternal DLC
Ghostwire Tokyo
Fallout Worlds (Fallout 76)
Project Hibiki (I'm taking a guess this was Hi-Fi Rush)
MOBILE
Project Ubu
Project Wanderer
(I have no idea on either of these, one of them possibly Mighty Doom.)

2022
Indiana Jones
Oblivion Remaster (I'd be in pure joy if this were still being developed)
Untitled Elder Scrolls Online Expansion
Starfield DLC
MOBILE
3 Planned Titles

2023
Doom Year Zero (an unannounced Doom that sounds like a prequel) + DLC
Project Kestral
Elder Scrolls Online Expansion
Project Platinum
1 planned project for mobile
2024
The Elder Scrolls 6( this was a pipedream to begin with even then)
Project Kestral Expansion
Licensed IP Games (would love to hear dreams for what this is; could see another Disney-related project)
Fallout 3 Remaster(again, please, I'm begging you)
Elder Scrolls Online Expansion
Ghostwire Tokyo Sequel (pleasantly surprised to see this.)
Dishonored 3( I hope Arkane gets a shit to make this special)
Doom Year Zero DLC
1 planned mobile title
It's worth noting that these planned projects are at least 3 years old at this point, and for all we know, some or all of these projects have either been postponed or cancelled entireley

LEAKED EMAILS
Less fun to examine, but definitely paints a picture of where Microsoft's headspace was years ago. A few emails discuss the possible acquisition of Warner Bros. Games and even Nintendo, which has been a long-term thing for Microsoft, even attempting it back at the launch of the original Xbox. Phil Spencer even noted that acquiring Nintendo would be a "career moment" and good for both parties involved. Further emails pointed to Phil and the team's initial reactions to PS5 details once it was announced their position on still having a more powerful console. Some Gamepass information was presented, showing how much Microsoft pays or would be willing to pay for titles to release on Gamepass. GTA V, 12-15 million per month, Mortal Kombat 1, 250 million, Dying Light 2 50 million.

That's about the gist of the major takeaways. There's some smaller stuff, like a handheld being shown and a one-handed Xbox controller similar to a Wiimote shown off in one or two slides, but nothing more to go off of. Either way, this is one of the biggest leaks to ever happen and something that could have repercussions for years to come. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the near future and see how much of this actually comes to fruition or if it's simply an idea at this point. Let us know what you think down below, and bonus, let us know what you'd want Bethesda’s unannounced licensed IP to be.