Microsoft Reportedly Has Two Next-Gen Xbox Consoles in the Works, Codenamed “Anaconda” and “Lockhart”

Two next-generation Xbox consoles have been revealed to be codenamed “Anaconda” and “Lockhart,” as Windows Central first reported. The double console launch is part of Microsoft’s ‘Scarlett’ plan to appeal to hardcore and budget gamers, similarly to the current Xbox One X and Xbox One S. Both are expected out around 2020.

Of the two, Anaconda is the hardware-superior Xbox One X analog. It’ll offer better processors, graphics from AMD and potentially even solid state drive storage, or SSD. If included, SSD could reduce otherwise-lengthy game loading times. Its counterpart, Lockhart, is the slimmed-down, affordable Xbox of the next gen. Both will reportedly include backward compatibility with Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games.

Thurrott also reports a new, disc-less version of the Xbox One S is in the works, with an announcement expected as early as next month and plans to ship next spring. This version of the One S, if true, would be another of Microsoft’s attempts to go digital. It’s a slow shift originally planned for the Xbox One, but that makes sense with these reports. Both the Lockhart and the Anaconda will reportedly offer the option to include a disc drive or not. With this new One S system, players would have the option to convert their physical library to a digital one through participating retailers.

It’s unclear how exactly that would work at this point, especially considering that a major shift to digital would have detrimental long-term effects on stores that buy and sell used games. Microsoft is going all in on digital though, as its xCloud game streaming service hits public trials next year, too, letting players stream games on their console, PC or even phone.