Another massive leak, spilling some juicy Xbox details, has the video game world buzzing.
An FTC leak has produced documents detailing some of Xbox’s future plans and another massive acquisition. The biggest news from the leak was that Xbox plans to drop what it calls a “console refresh” of the Xbox Series X called ‘Brooklin.’
It has been confirmed that it was Microsoft were the one’s who “leaked” the information after accidentally loading it onto a government website, per Bloomberg’s reporting.
Anyway, Brooklin is a new Xbox Series X console version that ditches the original “box shape” small fridge look for a new circular design plus a much-needed increased internal storage of 2TB.
Gamesradar reports that the “console refresh” will have the same price as the previous console with tweaks like a faster wireless connection, more storage as mentioned above, eco-friendly features to reduce the console’s carbon footprint, ditching the disc drive, and even an updated controller that could finally bring it on par, or close to the greatness that is the PS5’s DualSense controller.
The design and specs of the next Xbox Series X have leaked https://t.co/TykBKoAKI0
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) September 19, 2023
The new controller, code-named Sebille, is “more immersive” and will feature gyro support, Bluetooth 5.2, and a direct Cloud connection. There will also be “precision haptic feedback” that doubles as speakers.
“Improved longevity” is also a feature of the Sebille controller, thanks to new modular thumbsticks.
Huge FTC Leak: Xbox Series X refresh planned for 2024, codenamed Brooklin:
• Circular design, no disc drive
• 2TB storage, USB-C port, new controller (Sebille)
• Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, improved efficiency
• 15% reduced PSU power, $499 price
• Potential 2024 Xbox Series S… pic.twitter.com/fWWeTEsE27— XB News (Not affiliated with Xbox) (@_XboxNews) September 19, 2023
According to the leaks, the controller will launch sometime in August 2024, around the same time as E3 2024, when the company was set to reveal its latest offerings to the video game world.
There are also plans for an Xbox Series S refresh due in August, with the Brooklin console coming in late October, right in time for Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season.
Phil Spencer Was Dreaming of Video Game Domination
The new console and controller weren’t the only news about the FTC leak. According to leaked emails, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer wanted to bring Nintendo into the Xbox ecosystem.
In the August 2020 email sent right before Microsoft bought Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax, Spencer called a possible acquisition of Nintendo “a career moment.”
Spencer’s lust didn’t stop there. He also expressed interest in Steam owner Valve and Warner Bros’ collection of game studios like Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios and Rocksteady, the game studio behind the Batman Arkham Series.
Per IGN:
“Nintendo is THE prime asset for us in gaming and today gaming is our most likely path to consumer relevance,” Spencer wrote in the email.
“I’ve had numerous conversations with the LT of Nintendo about tighter collaboration and feel like if any US company would have a chance with Nintendo we are probably in the best position.”
However, Spencer outlined a number of blocks on the merger, including the fact Nintendo seemed uninterested in selling up. Nintendo is “sitting on a big pile of cash”, Spencer said, and was apparently happy with its current position. As a result, Spencer said he couldn’t “see an angle” on a buyout in the short term, adding: “I don’t think a hostile action would be a good move… so we are playing the long game.”
Well damn.
You can see more reactions to the leaks in the gallery below.
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Photo: Microsoft / Xbox Series X ‘Brooklin’
1. Same
just waiting to see how Xbox top this one tbh https://t.co/3jGMb4BMJB
— Lucy James (@lucyjamesgames) September 19, 2023
2. Interesting
After the PS5 reveal, Phil Spencer wrote Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella saying:
“We have a better product than Sony does, not just on hardware but equally important on software platform and services”
“I get the need to be humbly confident but this was a good day for us (Xbox)” pic.twitter.com/iVtOZjfugd
— Hunter (@NextGenPlayer) September 19, 2023
3. Looks like Tom was right.
I’ve seen some claim the Xbox leak was intentional. It absolutely was not. Microsoft wouldn’t leak its confidential roadmap and internal conversations. That’s not how any of this works. This was either an error from the court or the Microsoft legal side.
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) September 19, 2023
4. Hmmmm
Another interesting excerpt from the #Xbox FTC leaks, Game Pass 3rd party title forecasted licensing costs for different games based on time after release (DD = day date).
Jedi Survivor $300m DD
Mortal Kombat $250m DD
Suicide Squad $250m DD
Assassin's Creed Rift $100m DD
Gotham… pic.twitter.com/Z1OkuaiG6u— NIB (@nib95_) September 19, 2023
5. Welp
Their incompetence is not only in gaming! Sheesh! 38TB of Data leaked and accidentally uploaded to government sites. Lord hammercy! #Microsoft#Xbox pic.twitter.com/4mewAtJ6HV
— Jaydub (@JayDubcity16) September 19, 2023
6.
Well we know Xbox is heavily involved in making consoles now and in the future. So dopes who said Xbox will be a App might wanna sing a different tune
— Timdog (@XcloudTimdog) September 19, 2023
7.
The biggest news out of this leak is that they’re finally gonna give the Xbox controller some pants pic.twitter.com/YNczbAY2z8
— Barrett Courtney (@SadBoyBarrett) September 19, 2023
8.
Valve, Nintendo, WB and Zenimax – ALL to be acquired by Microsoft according to their "long game" vision.
Xbox are to this industry
.@Xboxp3 also colluding with a Nintendo shareholder to strongarm Nintendo into M&A.This is next level disgusting & his peers can see it pic.twitter.com/BzdiSFRHXR
— WOOLLEY GAMER: ! #WWCOG & TSGP (@WOOLLEY_GAMER) September 19, 2023
9.
Love seeing Nintendo fans hopping on the Xbox hate wagon.
This thread from the Nintendo subreddit is gold. pic.twitter.com/nJp0dq2ops
— #WolverinePS5 (@HlNOMARUSUMO) September 19, 2023
10.
My honest takeaway from today's Xbox leaks info, the bad:
– Microsoft seems obsessed to buy everything
– No focus on physical copies at all 🙁The good:
+ Remaster of games I love
+ A lot of new games for Xbox/PC (lineup looks very good)
+ Long term focus on gaming pic.twitter.com/8SGQ11P3jG— Pyo 5⃣ (@mrpyo1) September 19, 2023