Microsoft has already begun the development of its next-gen Xbox console and even has a codename for said console. The problem is, no one, except the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), knows what that codename actually is.
Allow us to explain: Microsoft is currently being sued by the FTC, with the latter trying to stop the former’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the studio that owns several major IPs, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo. As part of the legal process in the US, all involved parties must hand over requested documents and information, as each side builds their respective cases against the other. To this end, the FTC had requested some very particular files from Microsoft, specifically ones related to a “next generation gaming ecosystem”.
It was within this document that the FTC allegedly sussed out the existence of a next-generation Xbox console and how its development was well underway. Again, details and the codename of the supposed next-gen console is heavily redacted within the legal document, gaming site Gamerant notes that the length of the name appears to contain 15 characters, raising the possibility that the codename may actually contain two words, instead of the usual one.
As to why the FTC wanted this particular document detailing the alleged next-gen console, it is because the US government body currently and firmly believes that the console is the very essence of its lawsuit, and that it could result in some very serious antitrust issues, should it be allowed to acquire Activision Blizzard down the line.
