Give Us an Xbox Handheld Already
Microsoft is preparing for a major holiday season later this year. Xbox president Sarah Bond recently hinted at some exciting news about the brand's hardware and the next-gen gaming devices. She emphasized that their main focus is to provide the most advanced technological advancements ever seen in the gaming industry.
Microsoft's next move in the gaming industry is causing many to wonder whether they will stick to their traditional console that requires a TV or follow the lead of Nintendo and Valve and develop a portable console. Despite handheld devices being smaller in size, the gaming experience they offer is no longer limited to basic gameplay. A variety of popular games like Fortnite and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can be played without a complete TV setup.
Microsoft has some rivals such as Sony that have ventured into the world of handheld gaming devices. Sony has put in significant efforts to produce high-end handheld consoles such as PlayStation Vita, which was discontinued in 2019. Moreover, Sony launched PlayStation Portal in 2020, enabling gamers to stream games from their PS5.
The CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, has shown his appreciation for the tactics used by his rivals. In a recent discussion with The Verge, he mentioned that Microsoft has been gathering insights from Nintendo’s actions over the years with their Switch device. Spencer also mentioned his fondness for the handheld gaming space, particularly devices like Steam Deck and ROG, as well as Lenovo's handheld Legion Go. According to Spencer, players are hindered from gaming more than usual because of more than just sleep or their daily responsibilities. He explained that gamers often face issues with accessing the games they want to play, which is one of the biggest barriers to gaming.
Spencer was questioned about the possibility of Microsoft producing a handheld device, to which he denied any such plans. Despite his admiration for handhelds, he had no official statement to make about it.
It's not surprising that traditional consoles are a big focus this holiday season. Microsoft unintentionally let slip some info in September about what they have in store, revealing their plans for a new controller and console refresh that sits between generations. There were also details in the leaked documents about their upcoming Xbox console, which they reportedly plan to release in 2028. This next-gen console is said to be a "hybrid game platform" that will utilize cloud technology.
Despite cloud gaming being a desirable option for certain gamers who want to avoid the hassle of having a console at home, Xbox officials have made it clear that traditional consoles are crucial to their industry. During a recent podcast, Bond stated that Xbox's hardware is where their flagship and most significant gaming experience can be found. Additionally, traditional consoles are an important target for developers because they're able to build the specifications of the hardware. Xbox invests in ensuring that when developers do this, games run smoothly on their hardware and can be accessed on any screen due to additional investments made.
Microsoft wants to attract gamers beyond their existing fanbase as they expand their games to more platforms. Even Spencer, the head of Xbox, seems to support this idea as he has liked tweets that suggest a handheld device is in the works. It's not necessary for Microsoft to make a major technological breakthrough to improve the gaming experience, they just need to make it portable enough to allow players to enjoy games while on-the-go.
