A quick reference of how China's largest tech conglomerate has quietly expanded into videogames.
Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.
If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).
Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).
These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.
Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).
Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.
Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.
I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.
I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.
I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.
Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.
Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.
It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?
@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?
@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?
@Lightning
Here we go with having to spell everything out.
If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"
My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?
That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.
I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?
Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?
Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...
@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.
asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.
Capcom has removed GFWL from PC versions of Lost Planet 1 and 2 as well as other titles on Steam alongside support for online features.
The earnings reports of Capcom's Fiscal year 2024 showcase the growth of PC over console, with 60% of game sales being made on the former.
What’s interesting is that, given how well their games sell, it’s very likely most of them fall into the 25/75 revenue split bracket. The larger ones, like Monster Hunter, are in the 20/80 bracket.
So even accounting for the vastly superior regional pricing on PC, I wouldn’t be surprised if revenue-wise from digital sales, both platforms are close, or if PC is ahead as well.
Yes PC is the biggest platform and it has definitely improved as a home console of sort plug and play. It's the only platform with actual freedom for gamers with modding. I was a console gamer for over 38 years and now I only play on Pc. Whether you are buying pre-built or building it yourself it's now easier than ever before to jump in
And my experience with pc gamers has been excellent, they are helpful with any questions on pc boards
As a gamer who also loves replaying his old favorite titles, possibly with a few mods as well, I can’t imagine ever getting another console.
They spoke about resident evil and monster hunter I would actually find the monster hunter breakdown more interesting tbh as I've always felt like this game would be at home on PC
but for resident evil it's always felt like a PlayStation mainstay despite having exclusivity elsewhere likely because it was where I first played it. The game feels like it's begging to be played lights off in the loungeroom late at night or also in VR I've never been as scared as I was playing re7 in VR
Is this really suprising? Looking at the evolution of the Switch, X|S and Playstation 5?
The biggest cause is probably the lack of game purchases on the Xbox platform. Also keep in mind this is only digital sales so there is a chunk of sales not being shown here.
It's crazy to think about how quickly Tencent has been able to move. They're a behemoth at this point, and it seems like just a few years ago that nobody had heard about them yet.