Should Xbox End their Generation Early?

[archbrix]

Soundwave said:

I kind of feel like it's partly a way to get a bit outside of the Call of Duty contract requirements.

If they have more powerful hardware they can justify Call of Duty on "Next Box" having the best graphics and just say "well it's not our problem that Sony is still in the PS5 generation, we're fulfilling our contractual obligations, but if you want the best version of the game, buy our new XBox".  They could have a window of 1-2 years where they can claim that and try to entice COD players to jump ship. 

This probably sounds like the best course of action for Microsoft being highly relevant in the console space, and COD would be the way to do it.

There would still be the COD for the Xbox Series, PS5 and Switch 2 that everyone expects, but if there was a bona-fide "next-gen" version that came out on the new Xbox, that might be the one way they usher in the next generation before Sony is ready to move on from the PS5.  Obviously the PS6 would be more powerful when it arrives, but if "Xbox 5" launched in 2025 it could build a good install base by then.  All the current games of gen 9 would still come to it and with the best performance (perhaps a bundle with GTA6?) but it would be a platform for true next-gen games as well for both Microsoft and 3rd parties.

Of course this could backfire tremendously but it could work out well here in the west where COD is massive and we love our fancy graphics.  Honestly, I don't see a better solution for them.