Meant to succeed the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox’s newest next-gen console is reportedly in the works and even has a codename, according to Gamerant. A review of recently surfaced regulatory filings has been revealed, with information confirming that a PS6 rival is already underway. These documents stem from the ongoing trial between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission, to block Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the makers of Call of Duty, on antitrust grounds in December 2022.
Sony, arguably Microsoft’s biggest opponent, got heavily involved in the lawsuit, currently in its discovery phase and pending trial. This constant back-and-forth with the FTC has resulted in some unintended effects for the Japanese gaming giant, the most recent being the disclosure of a potential PlayStation 6 release estimate.
In light of this prematurely revealed information, The Federal Trade Commission, in turn, also confirmed that Xbox’s next-gen console is in the works. A March 14th motion signed by the complaint counsel seeks to compel Microsoft to produce legal documentation pertaining to its tenth-generation gaming console, even going so far as to mention it by its codename.
The internal codename seems to contain about fifteen characters, but it remains completely unknown to the public. Given the rules of the English language, this next-gen console’s codename is assumed to be two words in length. For example, Xbox Series X and S went by the code names Anaconda and Lockhart. Prior to that, the Xbox One was designated the title Project Durango, and the Xbox 360/Original Xbox were called Project Natal and Midway. Microsoft doesn’t seem to have much continuity in regard to their secret names they give to upcoming consoles, so it’s nearly impossible to guess what this newest one may be.
Why is the FTC so interested in learning about this next-gen console?
It’s all in the hardware plans, which is the very essence of this current lawsuit with Activision Blizzard. The complaint counsel believes that getting a clearer view of Microsoft’s long-term plans for gaming would prove that owning the Call of Duty franchise would give the Xbox console too much easily abused power.
Microsoft has already provided the lawyers working for the FTC documentation detailing their gaming division’s strategic business goals, though the filing counsel isn’t satisfied with the scope of what they have provided. They are now trying to compel Microsoft to be even more transparent in disclosure prior to this trial.
Microsoft is likely to complete its Activision Blizzard acquisition, as predicted by industry watchers since February, proposing that the FTC’s public opposition to the $69 billion deal has little ground to stand on.