Xbox Series X isn't the only next-gen Xbox, and it's not the only name

It turns out that the Xbox Series X is only one of Microsoft's next-gen consoles, and we've been using the name wrong.

Microsoft's next-gen Xbox Series X console was announced last Thursday night at The Game Awards, complete with vertical monolith design. And, to be honest, we're only just getting used to the idea that the next generation of Microsoft consoles is called the Xbox Series X, but now it seems that the Xbox Series X is just one of Microsoft next-gen consoles. Instead, the tech giant's next series of consoles is technically just called Xbox.

According to a Microsoft representative, we've got it all wrong.

"The name we're carrying forward to the next generation is simply Xbox," said the Microsoft representative to Business Insider. "And at The Game Awards you saw that name come to life through the Xbox Series X."

It seems the Xbox Series X is just the name of the specific console arriving in Holiday 2020, whereas the new family of next-gen consoles will fall under the 'Xbox' umbrella - just like the Xbox One X and Xbox One S.

"Similar to what fans have seen with previous generations, the name 'Xbox Series X' allows room for additional consoles in the future," the Microsoft rep told us.

Phil Spencer almost touched on it in an interview with Gamespot too, although didn't specify the idea that Xbox Series X wasn't the naming convention for all the next-gen consoles.

"In the name 'Series X', it gives us freedom to do other things with that name so that we can create descriptors when we need to," said Spencer.

That could mean we see equivalents of the more powerful Xbox One X, a version free with a disc drive like the Xbox One S All-Digital, or just cheaper models to offer gamers choice aside from the Xbox Series X. For now, we're just getting the one console from Microsoft at the tail end of next year, but it turns out the future is Xbox. Not just Xbox Series X.

For now, get excited about what's in store for us with next-gen with our teardown of everything we know so far about PS5 vs Xbox Series X, including all the Xbox Series X specs, and upcoming Xbox Series X games confirmed so far.

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Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.