Microsoft engineers criticized, as source claims AMD is designing new Xbox consoles alone

Microsoft recently restated its intention to create new Xbox hardware in tandem with AMD. However, if sources at the chip-maker are correct, AMD will bear most of the development burden. Moore’s Law is Dead spoke to a source at the company who has a low opinion of Microsoft engineers.

Responding to rumors about a cancelled Xbox console, Microsoft reassured fans concerned about price increases. It promises that it will release “first-party consoles and devices designed, engineered and built by Xbox”.  Yet, Moore’s Law is Dead suggests that AMD is largely responsible for designing these systems.

Some of the statements from an AMD insider quoted in the broadcast may surprise gamers. Even though the goal is to release Xbox-branded systems, Microsoft makes demands but expects AMD talent to “do all the work”. The source dismisses the ability of Microsoft engineers, who aren’t qualified to work at tech giants like Nvidia. Perhaps even worse, another individual working at the company wonders why the engineers exist at all.

How PlayStation and AMD work as a team

Moore’s Law is Dead points out how this arrangement differs from Sony’s relationship with AMD. Mark Cerny is the lead architect of past and future PlayStation consoles. He recently announced another agreement with the semiconductor manufacturer. Project Amethyst will introduce improved AI technology to the PS6 and Radeon GPUs.

Unlike with Microsoft, Cerny and Sony engineers have more direct involvement with their AMD counterparts. Producing advancements in upscalers like PSSR and FSR 4, both PlayStation consoles and graphics cards benefit.

It’s unclear what the new Xbox consoles will look like. They may function more like Windows PCs than the Series X. Regardless, the AMD Magnus APU will be critical to upcoming gaming systems. If there is tension between the two companies, the development of these products could hit roadblocks.