Xbox Leak Unveils Ambitions: Nintendo, Game Remasters, and More

Politics, News Sept. 21, 2023, 6:51 a.m.

The Xbox division leak exposed Microsofts interest in Nintendo, potential game remasters, and a new controller. It hints at a future with cloud gaming but raises concerns about game preservation.

The recent Xbox division leak has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, revealing intriguing insights into Microsoft's ambitions and upcoming projects. This unexpected disclosure, resulting from an undisclosed mishap, has brought to light sensitive documents related to the Federal Trade Commission's abandoned case against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Although these documents date back as far as three years, they offer a fascinating glimpse into Microsoft's aspirations, strategies, and upcoming releases.

One of the most attention-grabbing revelations from the leaked documents is Microsoft's interest in acquiring Nintendo as of 2020. While this tidbit has garnered significant media attention, it's important to remember that Nintendo is a highly coveted entity in the entertainment industry. With an unparalleled portfolio of beloved intellectual properties, Nintendo stands as one of the most financially robust companies globally. Unlike many corporations that rely on intricate financial maneuvering, Nintendo's financial health is unassailable, boasting substantial cash reserves and an absence of debt. Thus, any attempt to purchase Nintendo would be a monumental undertaking, as acknowledged by Phil Spencer in an email to his top team.

However, what's even more intriguing than Microsoft's desire to acquire Nintendo is Phil Spencer's pragmatic assessment of a potential Warner Interactive acquisition. While such a deal could have brought additional studios into the Microsoft fold, it would have contributed little in terms of valuable intellectual property. This glimpse into the decision-making process suggests that the Xbox division is driven primarily by a commitment to enhancing its business through strategic acquisitions.

It's worth acknowledging the concerns shared by many about the increasing consolidation of entertainment companies under a few megacorporations. Nevertheless, there is a silver lining in Xbox's approach: they aren't simply gobbling up companies for the sake of expansion. As evidenced by their handling of Bethesda and Obsidian, Xbox has demonstrated a commitment to preserving the unique cultures of the studios they acquire. Phil Spencer, with all his imperfections, appears to understand the rationale behind his acquisitions.

The leak also provides strong indications of an upcoming Oblivion remaster, adding credibility to previous rumors. While it's not guaranteed that the project has continued since the leak, the probability of it materializing is exceptionally high. This decision aligns perfectly with the fact that The Elder Scrolls 6 remains years away from release, making it sensible to revitalize the series by giving one of its most beloved entries a fresh coat of current-generation paint. Additionally, if the success of the recent Anniversary Edition of Skyrim is any indication, there may even be room for additional content. Imagine the prospect of more Oblivion content to explore! Furthermore, the leak hints at a refresh for Fallout 3 and the long-awaited Series X/S version of Fallout 4, ensuring that Bethesda's significant intellectual properties remain vibrant.

The leaked documents also shed light on the potential development of Dishonored 3 and a sequel to Ghostwire Tokyo. While the Dishonored series has a dedicated fanbase, Arkane games have never achieved the commercial success they deserve. The news of the series' continuation is heartening, suggesting that niche studios like Arkane and Tango Gameworks can thrive under the umbrella of a megacorporation without being forced to abandon their creative visions. This represents a departure from the unfortunate fate of studios like BioWare and Lionhead, which saw their creative identities diluted under corporate ownership.

Beyond the ongoing debate over which gaming platform boasts the best exclusives (Nintendo) or the most powerful hardware (PCs), one significant differentiator between the Xbox Series and PS5 is the controller. The standard Xbox Series controller has earned praise for its reliability and exceptional battery life. However, it has lagged behind in terms of features, lacking standard rechargeable batteries and offering relatively basic haptic feedback. The leaked information suggests that a new Xbox controller, codenamed Sebile, is under development. This controller aims to match Sony's Dualsense feature set, featuring sophisticated haptics that also function as internal speakers, gyro controls (a first for Xbox), and a rechargeable battery as standard. It goes beyond mere emulation of the PS5 controller, incorporating a replaceable battery, lift-to-wake functionality for convenience, and the ability to pair with multiple devices simultaneously through various protocols, including Bluetooth and a direct connection to the cloud. The latter feature, inspired by the ill-fated Stadia controller, aims to reduce latency by connecting directly to game servers for cloud-streamed games, a crucial consideration for cloud gaming.

While some may argue that these features aren't worth sacrificing battery life for, it's possible that their inclusion as standard in the new Xbox controller could encourage developers to prioritize support for haptic feedback and similar features. This could ultimately benefit not only Xbox users but also PS5 and Switch players if these features become more widely adopted.

The prospect of mid-generation Pro versions of Gen 9 consoles has been a topic of speculation since the beginning of this console generation. However, the case for such upgrades is weaker this time around. Unlike the previous generation, when 4K televisions drove the demand for Pro versions, the current market presents different challenges. We are still in the midst of an extended cross-generation period, and economic factors such as inflation and reduced disposable income have dampened the appeal of more expensive, marginally improved consoles for many consumers. Microsoft's approach appears to differ from Sony's, as they focus on traditional refreshes that prioritize improved power efficiency and a slimmer form factor over increasing teraflop counts. The new Series X, for instance, eliminates corners and the disc drive while maintaining the same price point and doubling storage capacity. This refresh is expected to include the new controller, offering both early adopters and future owners improved hardware and controller options while remaining cost-effective.

While some may lament the decline of physical media and its implications for game preservation and consumer choice, Microsoft's direction appears to be clear: they aim to decouple Xbox from a physical device, making Xbox accessible through various platforms, including televisions, phones, laptops, and streaming devices. This vision aligns with the promise of cloud gaming that has persisted since the OnLive era. With Xcloud integrated into a more traditional console ecosystem, Microsoft is poised to bring this vision to life. While the leaked documents do not provide precise details about the hardware that will power the next Xbox, they suggest a potential shift toward ARM-based processors. This could signify a convergence of scalable technologies, enabling Xbox to exist on devices with varying power profiles, all leveraged by cloud technology. This could lead to a future where there is no meaningful distinction between playing a game on Xcloud, Xbox, or a Windows PC.

Despite the tantalizing possibilities cloud gaming offers, it also raises concerns about the erosion of consumer choice and game preservation, especially if the next Xbox becomes a hybrid device running games partially on remote servers. The implications of such a shift are profound and warrant careful consideration.

In conclusion, the Xbox leak has unveiled a treasure trove of information, sparking excitement and discussions within the gaming community. While the leaked documents provide valuable insights into Microsoft's plans, it's important to remember that they may not represent the most current strategies and decisions. Nevertheless, the leak hints at a future where Xbox embraces innovation, improves controller technology, and explores the potential of cloud gaming. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Microsoft's approach may pave the way for a more accessible and interconnected gaming ecosystem, but it also raises important questions about the future of physical media and game preservation. Only time will reveal how these ambitious plans unfold, but for now, gamers can look forward to a potential Obl