Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has officially addressed the massive leak of confidential Xbox files that occurred earlier this week, and has claimed they will reveal the “real plans when we are ready.” Apparently, a lot has changed since those old emails and documents about future console plans, Bethesda’s game lineup, Game Pass, and cloud gaming were written.
The documents are “well over a year old” and “plans have evolved”
In an internal memo seen by The Verge, which has also been leaked, Spencer told Microsoft employees that “many of the documents are well over a year old and our plans have evolved.” In the full statement, he also apologized for the leak and promised the company “will learn from what happened and be better going forward.”
Today, several documents submitted in the court proceedings related to our proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard were unintentionally disclosed. I know this is disappointing, even if many of the documents are well over a year old and our plans have evolved.
I also know we all take the confidentiality of our plans and our partners’ information very seriously. This leak obviously is not us living up to that expectation. We will learn from what happened and be better going forward. We all put incredible amounts of passion and energy into our work, and this is never how we want that hard work to be shared with the community. That said, there’s so much more to be excited about, and when we’re ready, we’ll share the real plans with our players.
In closing, I appreciate all of the work that you pour into Team Xbox to surprise and delight our players. In the days and weeks ahead, let’s stay focused on what we can control: continuing the amazing success of Starfield, the upcoming launch of the incredible and accessible Forza Motorsport, and continuing to build games, services and devices that millions of players can enjoy.
In a Tweet, Spencer also told gamers “we will share the real plans when we are ready:”
The leaked documents revealed plans for the next generation of Xbox console, which is expected to launch in 2028. The main innovations for the console would be the integration of cloud hybrid games as well as a focus on both games and apps, but concerns were raised over the potential cost of this, as well as a sustainable resolution and frame rate.
Plans for mid-generation Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and controller refreshes were also revealed. The Series X, currently codenamed Brooklin, would come without a disc drive but would have a 2TB SSD drive, faster Wi-Fi, and a reduced power draw. The Series S refresh is codenamed Ellewood will also feature faster Wi-Fi and a reduced power draw, although this time it will have a 1TB SSD drive. Finally, the controller will feature haptic feedback, modular and quieter thumbsticks, and quieter buttons. All are expected to launch in 2024.
Other documents that were disclosed involved Spencer’s musings on acquiring Nintendo, the state of Xbox Game Pass, the company’s thoughts on the PS5 reveal, the possibility of putting XCloud on PS5, and Bethesda’s future game plans.