Phil Spencer hints at Xbox gaming handheld being proper competitor to Asus ROG Ally instead of PlayStation Portal

[Redaktion]

At the Xbox Showcase, Microsoft introduced the updated Series S and X and many new games. After the event, IGN interviewed Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, and in the interview, he hinted that the Xbox gaming handheld would be more like the Asus ROG Ally and less like the Sony PlayStation Portal.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Phil-Spencer-hints-at-Xbox-gaming-handheld-being-proper-competitor-to-Asus-ROG-Ally-instead-of-PlayStation-Portal.845877.0.html

[Thane]

I'm torn between wanting Xbox series S performance in a handheld (possible with 720p target resolution and process node improvements like 3 nanometer lithography). This hypothetical device would be very similar to the Lenovo legion or ROG Ally in size and weight, but run the optimized Xbox operating system.

I already have a switch and steam deck though so I'm not sure that I'd really want a third portable, unless maybe it dual booted into Windows or had some special feature.

The alternative would be an Xbox phone. The trouble with gaming phones has always been the mobile games themselves and the touch controls. The Nintendo switch solved both problems in a phone-like form factor, but the available apps are paltry and there's no 4G/5G. The hypothetical Xbox phone would have to make the same compromises as switch ports do, but would be fully capable for backwards compatibility (one and 360) and would be an ideal platform for XCloud anywhere. Although Microsoft might be scaling back their cloud ambitions since Stadia died and Amazon Luna is languishing in relative obscurity. Also if it is an Xbox first and phone second, it might eventually succeed where windows phone failed.

[OG Xbox fan]

I'm torn between...

Let me stop you right there. When in the past decade or so, has Microsoft managed to pull of ANY venture successfully?

The last 15 years have been failures. Even with how they're currently handling the push for AI TOPs from hardware vendors and windows recall feature on WoA.

I currently have more faith in Apple taking over phone gaming with all their recent console ports or mediatek and nvidia releasing a SoC for portable systems, then running games through fex emu on Linux / steamOS port.

Even if Microsoft do managed to actually release something, I and I think many others at this point just have zero faith that they will follow through an execute it well enough to be remotely successful.

Are they even aware of what they're currently doing wrong now? What people are unhappy about? Do they even know where to begin looking?

[shiz004]

When in the past decade or so, has Microsoft managed to pull of ANY venture successfully?

The last 15 years have been failures.

I actually think they've been quite successful in what they've wanted to achieve. They wanted to make the Xbox One an all in one entertainment device, and I have certainly used my One and Series S for TV/movies/shows/music as much as I do for gaming. They tried to make Gamepass the best deal in gaming for gamers, and although there have been some lackluster games over the past few years I appreciate being able to try them all for $15/month instead of paying $60 per game.

Are they even aware of what they're currently doing wrong now? What people are unhappy about? Do they even know where to begin looking?

I feel like this has been the real issue, and the things I mentioned above certainly pushed gaming forward but weren't exactly what people wanted. As a gamer, I want good games. They've struggled with that but they seem to be making it the focus now with acquiring game developers with a track record of making good games. The recent Xbox Games Showcase was incredible and got me excited to be a gamer again, assuming they follow through and the games aren't broken or half finished when they release. With the rising popularity of handhelds, hopefully they go that route as well.