Xbox is already talking about its next-gen consoles and teasing compatibility with Steam

Surprise! Xbox boss Sarah Bond explains in a video what to expect from the next generation of Xbox. And there's a lot to say.

We didn't expect this kind of communication so soon. Xbox has released a video in which Sarah Bond gives some information about the next generation of consoles. While the video is rather short, it's rich in insights.

“We've entered into a multi-year strategic agreement with AMD to co-design chips for a range of devices, including our next-gen Xbox consoles. Together, we'll deliver superior visual quality, immersive gameplay, and AI-powered experiences,” it said. This announcement isn't surprising, given that AMD has been supplying Xbox chips since the One, and we're promised graphics and performance improvements with each new model. But what comes next gets more interesting.

Steam and the Epic Games Store on next-gen Xboxes?

Xbox promises “a platform built for gamers, independent of a store or device, and fully compatible with your Xbox game library.” This fits with the idea Microsoft is trying to push, that “any screen is an Xbox.” Above all, we're talking about independence from a single game store. We immediately think of the fact that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally portable console, scheduled for the end of the year, has already been announced with access to its Steam and Epic Games Store game library. The console manufacturer seems to be implying that this will also be the case for its next home consoles, which would completely shake up the video game ecosystem.

Sarah Bond specifies that her teams are working "to make Windows the number one gaming platform" and that "the new generation of Xbox is coming to life". This seems to confirm the rumors that the next-gen Xboxes would be closer to a PC connected to your TV than any other home console released to date. To stand out from other PC stores, Microsoft should go all out on Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows you to buy a version of a game and play it on all your devices (PC, console, mobile, and browser via cloud).

The last bit of good news (even if we didn't expect anything less) is that backward compatibility with Xbox games from previous generations will also be ensured with the next-gen. We can't wait to find out more.