We have an interesting theory about the future of Xbox, and this time, we’re talking about the console.
TheGhostOfHope has been sharing rumors about Call of Duty. Last month, we reported on his rumor that Infinity Ward’s next game in the franchise is scheduled for 2026.
His latest rumor was posted on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit by user TheEternalGazed. On Twitter, he said this:
“I’m hearing that the next Xbox console is still coming in 2026 and will be called “Xbox Prime”. Still unclear if it’s a code name or the actual name. I’ve heard Infinity Ward’s next COD is still being considered a day one release for this.”
And yes, he made it clear that this would be the home console, and it’s coming before the handheld. Subsequently, he made this even bigger claim about Microsoft’s hardware plans:
“I know people don’t believe it but Xbox next console being in 2026 is pretty much an open secret within the industry. Seems early but I think it makes sense with where Xbox is headed.”
That may sound mildly shocking, but really, it would make sense that the industry already knows all about it. Even if their hardware plans didn’t leak in 2023, Microsoft would have already been working with third parties to make games for their platform.
Subsequently, even if those developers stayed true to their confidentiality agreements, there would still be wagging tongues that would spread word on these plans so that their peers and competitors would hear about it.
TheGhostOfHope also said that he couldn’t corroborate this rumor with Jez Corden. He opined that the console name might be fine if everything else about Microsoft’s next generation is done right, but once again, he doesn’t know if this could just be a codename.
There is paper trail indicating that even if Microsoft cancelled those leaked plans, they are still working on and finalizing their Sebile controller. Last week, we reported on a patent revealing that this controller could have haptic motors that are spread across the controller, instead of just placed in the handles.
That would allow the controller to provide tactile feedback with an element of motion, and possibly even velocity. Think 3D audio but for rumble.
But what’s also interesting is that this rumor is also tied to the 2026 Call of Duty. We have to imagine that Infinity Ward is already working out how they could use Sebile’s unique features, on top of leveraging the power of the newer upcoming console.
That suggests that Microsoft is still serious about making the Xbox console a success in the market. We do think Xbox Series X|S will definitely benefit from the loaded slate of 1st party games, even if they also come to other platforms.
So, even with their current struggle in this generation, we don’t think the book has been closed for Xbox Series X|S yet. But if Microsoft has been planning a quick end to this generation, following the Switch 2 very closely, it puts them in a very good position to leverage their acquisitions of Activision Blizzard King and Zenimax, on top of the loaded slate of developers that they also acquired, to make their next Xbox a must have generational upgrade.
