Is the world ready for a streaming only handheld console?

More and more Switch games are currently coming in streaming only versions. Microsoft is streaming Xbox games to Android phones via Gamepass and Xcloud. Valve is jumping into the handheld console business with their Steamdeck. Sony have PSNow and have previously let you stream games from your PS4 to PSVita.

Would it make sense for Microsoft or Sony to create a streaming only handheld console? I think it would. The advantages would be a boost to their game streaming services Game Pass and PSNow and the relatively cheap cost of producing hardware as it would only need a simple processor since all of the heavy lifting would be done in the cloud. It also wouldn't become outdated and underpowered over time like a traditional handheld since it could stream games from future console generations.

The limitations of course would be the hardware would only work with a steady and fast internet connection but as time goes on this is becoming less and less of an issue. The hard part is already done in putting together the streaming architecture. Sony bowed out of the handheld race and Microsoft never entered it because the cost and effort of developing for a second ecosystem was too high but with streaming this no longer is an issue. Nintendo and now Valve have shown there is a huge appetite for mobile gaming and I think Microsoft and Sony would be remiss in not making this relatively low cost move.

[-Hermit-]

No, because most of the world doesn't have good enough internet to handle it. Even those that do have good enough internet (like myself) could still end up struggling because they may be too far away from the servers. Latency has been the number 1 issue I have had with all of these services, it's just nowhere near good enough.

There are other issues like data caps and ISPs throttling your speeds if you are using a lot of data.

Another issue will be living with others that also use the internet. Playing at 1080 and especially 4k requires high download speeds. If somebody in your house decides to watch a movie, live tv, downloads or wants to play games themselves, then your experience is going to be frustrating and probably unplayable.

There are so many hurdles for this tech to overcome, and that won't be changing any time soon.

[Magog]

If you can't stream from two sources at once you don't have fast internet. With fast internet everyone in your house can stream HD at once.

[just_looken]

The big thing for me beyond what you stated which is true the issue of internet speed is the game themseleves.

So many games on stadia/xcloud/amazon/ps cloud stream were stripped or built for that concept.

So when you stream a game from the cloud is it a could version or the actual game?

Then you got patches/dlc what if the cloud version wont get certain content do too compatibility issues?

Xcloud at first had issues every service had sony runs there game sub 1080p stadia had dev kits and xcloud makes games certified like steam deck.

The cloud streaming tech is over 15yrs old yet the same issues in general still apply.

Another way to look at it is the land of amazon/netlfix with there region restrictions and now account lock downs also.

[FallenAngel1984]

Why make a streaming only handheld when you can allow any mobile, PC, laptop to stream your preexisting library?

[Magog]

Because once you connect a controller those are no longer portable. Your statement also doesn't ring true for Playstation exclusives. Also if it's a wireless controller you're introducing extra latency.

[blacktiger]

I think you're lost bro

[glennhkboy]

The more appropriate question is: can the US gamer accept the reality of steam only or always online mobile games. Outside of US market, mobile gaming is on-par with console gaming.

[Magog]

Even in the US mobile gaming makes a huge amount of money. Mobile gaming is about 90% gambling disguised as a video game however. Being successful doesn't mean it's quality.

[TheGreatGazoo30]

@Magog

Correct, quality and successful are two different things in mobile gaming. All they need is a short loop with a buy this boost hook.

[pietro1212]

Successful is one thing crap sells all the time. Are these mobile games any good? Aside from classic JRPGS and Adventur with shitty touch screen controls most mobile games suck

[blacktiger]

okay buddy

[garos82]

NO

Thank you

[lellkay]

no

[Inverno]

The world is a big place and in many of these places wifi isn't a thing because the internet isn't a thing. A handheld would mean portability which would mean you'd need a connection wherever you are at all time and that isn't possible. I've gone to a beach where mobile network does not reach and thats here in the states, many dead spots in the states.

Hospitals, schools, malls, and basically every business with free wifi have the slowest speed and it gets even slower when there's 50/100/1000 people connected at once. There's a reason why practically all streaming services offer downloads, and that's because internet sucks. Speed isn't even half of what matters when it comes to internet, the infrastructure doesn't exist and at the rate these companies are moving it won't exist for maybe another 20 years MAYBE. It's taken 20 to get where we are now and advancement has slowed because of shady business practices.

There's a reason why hardware of all types continues to be made with offline in mind and that's cause A we're not there yet and B even when we get there people will always like having ownership of the things they buy. We've already seen the future of always online, it's treadmills that don't work without a subscription and a connection to the internet and we don't want that

[Magog]

Lots of people use their Switch at home primarily even in mobile mode. The world moves much faster than we remember it was only a few years ago that smart phones became ubiquitous. If you want to be a leader in technology you must introduce new technology before it becomes mainstream.

[porkChop]

It would make more sense for them to push their streaming services on mobile and offer Joycon style controllers. No one is going to spend a bunch of money to buy a handheld just to stream games.

[Magog]

Some half assed mobile accessory won't give a good experience, won't be comfortable, won't fit multiple sizes of phones properly will add lag and won't draw positive attention to their brands. A dedicated streaming handheld wouldn't have to be expensive. All it would need is a fast wifi connection and good quality screen. They could probably make and sell it for $150. All the processing being done in the cloud would let them use a very low power and cheap chipset while at the same time delivering PS5/Series X quality graphics that would put Switch and Steamdeck to shame.

[porkChop]

What? Look at something like the Razer Kishi. It fits basically any phone with USB-C. It's not some half-assed accessory, and it's pretty reasonably priced. It doesn't add lag either because it connects through USB. A lot of those types of controllers do.

And seriously, no one is going to pay $150 for a handheld that can only stream games. You can already stream Game Pass to nearly any phone for example. So no one is going to pay $150 when they could spend way less to buy a controller and use a device they already have.

[kayoss]

The players are but the technology is not. We need high consistent internet connections and i feel that we lack that part. Plus, there are still places in the world that still lack high speed internet. Until we are all on the same page in terms of the connection, we are not ready.

[Magog]

I didn't mean literally the entire world. Streaming services work. There are literally 100s of articles from satisfied users. I'm not saying they should dedicate massive resources to this idea but rather that a streaming only console could be seen as an accessory to their existing streaming game services ie Xcloud and PSNow.

[JEECE]

Man, no matter how many times streaming services bomb, people keep trying to convince themselves (and others) that streaming isn't terrible.

[LIGATURE_]

NO,BRO

[pietro1212]

No thanks. I think it's lame that the Switch has cloud version of games that could run on the hardware I.E Kingdom Hearts. plus the internet in the U.S isn't that fast and same goes for most of the world.

[TheGreatGazoo30]

We already have this. It's called an tablet or phone + GamePass.

[BigTrain]

No

[smashman98]

Is the world ready for streaming. Overall yes. Streaming. handhelds, no.

[Magog]

Why not? People loved streaming ps4 games to the Vita and lots of people use the Switch inside their home or office. Also any streaming artifacts would be less noticeable on a small screen.

[smashman98]

I do too. I stream to my iPhone at work all the time. But I think realistically there are still a lot of barriers in place for handheld streaming when it comes to streaming without Wi-Fi. I think we’ll be there relatively soon tho.

[gammaray13]

if they go down that path that will be the end of gaming for me, i frickin hate hand held garbage, big screen for me every day of the week

[blacktiger]

Yes the world is ready even though 2 billion out of 7 has smartphone and only 50 percent or less has more or less of a good internet jsut to stream with lag!