Microsoft was reportedly responsible for this week’s giant Xbox leak

Microsoft was reportedly responsible for the massive leak this week which revealed a host of confidential details about its gaming business.

Documents published on a court website overnight as part of Microsoft’s legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) potentially laid bare key elements of the company’s gaming strategy for years to come, including plans for unannounced console hardware and games.

Citing a person said to be familiar with the matter, Bloomberg claims that Microsoft accidently uploaded the information to the court’s website.

Douglas Farrar, director of the FTC’s office of public affairs, also said the agency wasn’t behind the leak. “The FTC was not responsible for uploading Microsoft’s plans for its games and consoles to the court website,” he said on Tuesday.

The leaked documents included the following revelations:

• Microsoft is planning to release a redesigned Xbox Series X console, codenamed ‘Brooklin’, with a new design and controller.
• Microsoft‘s gaming boss Phil Spencer told colleagues in 2020 that he saw Nintendo as a key acquisition target.
• Unannounced Bethesda games include Dishonored 3, a new Doom, Oblivion and Fallout 3 remasters, and a trilogy of Indiana Jones games.
• The next evolution of the Xbox controller will have improved haptic feedback, an accelerometer, speakers and a rechargable and replaceable battery.
• Microsoft seemingly plans to harness the power of cloud processing in its next-gen Xbox console, which could launch in 2028.
• Microsoft plans to let players customise the appearance of Xbox Series X consoles in the future.
• Microsoft assessed a range of third-party options to fill “a huge hole” in its line-up caused by Starfield’s delay, including potentially paying $300 million to get Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on Game Pass at launch.