An internal email from Xbox President Sarah Bond has surfaced online, and with it comes the news that Microsoft is moving “full speed ahead” on its next-generation console, one that is said to offer “the biggest technological leap ever in a generation”—a detail that the executive previously teased while sitting next to Phil Spencer and Matt Booty on the Official Xbox Podcast earlier this year. Bond also revealed that Xbox is now the top platform for Diablo IV players, having launched on Game Pass last month for console and PC, on March 28.
Bond told employees:
- “It’s been nearly six months since we came together as an organization. Our collective achievements in that timeframe are tremendous.”
- “Everyone should feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about the opportunities ahead.”
- “We are moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation.”
- “We are innovating in Gaming AI, focused on delivering player-first, developer-first value for discovery, engagement, and creator velocity.”
- “At a time when the gaming industry’s growth is flattening, ours continues.”
A new team for future-proofing the Xbox library has also been formed:
- “We have formed a new team dedicated to game preservation, important to all of us at Xbox and the industry itself.”
- “We are building on our strong history of delivering backwards compatibility to our players, and we remain committed to bringing forward the amazing library of Xbox games for future generations of players to enjoy.”
As for Diablo IV:
- “We are integrating Activision Blizzard King titles into our services — we launched Diablo IV into Game Pass, and Xbox has quickly become the #1 platform for D4 players.”
- “…we are integrating with Battle.net, all while launching CoD: Warzone Mobile and preparing for the upcoming Hellblade II, Avowed, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.”
Microsoft promised earlier this year:
…our commitment to game preservation is unwavering. Xbox players should have confidence in building your digital library in the Xbox ecosystem. We will continue to reward that with the most robust, player-friendly experiences, including backwards compatibility, cross-play, cross-save progression, convenient cloud gaming, and more. Xbox consoles will continue to provide a flagship experience for players; it’s where you get the best value and convenience, it’s where Game Pass provides unprecedented access to an ever-evolving library of games. To be clear: Game Pass will continue to be only available on Xbox platforms.