Rumor: Next Xbox to Allow Full PC Gaming, Including World of Warcraft.

Remember when Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard sparked hopes for Xbox ports of titles like World of Warcraft? Well, a new report suggests that could happen, albeit in a very interesting way! According to Windows Central, the next generation of Xbox might embrace full Windows PC gaming capabilities.

Essentially, the next Xbox could function similarly to the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds, allowing players to switch from the standard Xbox environment to a complete Windows PC setup. This opens the door to external storefronts, game launchers like Steam, Epic Games Store, Riot’s launcher, and crucially, Battle.net.

“You will be able to run PlayStation’s PC titles like God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and Spider-Man on the next Xbox, purchased via Steam or Epic Games. You will be able to play World of Warcraft on the next Xbox, via Battle.net. You’ll also be able to install practically any game that runs on Windows, giving you access to decades upon decades of content all on a single device.”

This potential Xbox integration aligns with Blizzard’s recent UI and addon changes for WoW. As explained in regards to Midnight, the shift away from the MMORPG’s heavy reliance on specific addons like ElvUI and their replacement with integrated UI features arguably makes WoW significantly more console-friendly.

Other rumored features for the next Xbox include a “controller-first” design optimized for a “PC on TV” experience, AMD-powered backwards compatibility with existing Xbox X|S titles, and a user-friendly setup allowing players to remain within the Xbox ecosystem if desired. While not officially announced, the evidence strongly suggests this is the direction Microsoft is heading.