Microsoft & ASUS Unveiled Xbox Handhelds
Microsoft & ASUS Unveiled Xbox Handhelds
press.asus.com
Announcing the new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handhelds
8 comments
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Very disappointing, with arguably misleading marketing and videos.
I was so hyped watching the reveal, then only realized from comments that this only plays Windows compatible Xbox games. I was hoping for a true Xbox handheld, where I can play all Xbox games natively.
If somebody is already deep into handhelds, this might be obvious to them, but I think many buyers will be disappointed when they realize this.
I saw a 10 min video of MS and ASUS team explaining the device, and they intentionally dance around the issue, diluting the original meaning of words like “Xbox”, which is a video game console. Not a PC, not a launcher in Windows, and not a meaningless branding for MS published games.
There is a reason Nintendo and Sony is killing it in their focus segments: they make a console and sell video games you can play on it. Sony might release PS games on PC for extra revenue, while MS is trying to do that as a main focus, because they didn’t sell enough consoles. MS really shit the bed with Xbox this gen (again). Gamepass is not going to save them, they were first to the market, but Sony is also selling subscription, but in addition (and not instead) of console sales.
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Ehhhh?
MS have generally gotten increasingly good at making sure all of their games have a PC (is it still UWP or whatever?) "version" and most of the major third party studios do the same. It gets really annoying with corner cases (was it Total Warhammer 3 that was straight up broken?) but you are really buying into game pass at that point.
And I have no idea what your last paragraph is (outside of weird Sony fanboyism?). But you can still play all the Sony/Steam games (and the Steam/Steam games).
I dunno. If I hadn't have said "fuck windows" (years ago at this point) this would be a no brainer. But I am all for competition and this is a good indicator of what the neXtBOX will be since MS have already hinted at (outright said?) that the next XBOX will just run windows.
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Sad to see.
It makes sense though. Xbox games don't have the bult-in configurability to run at lower settings and resolutions. So to run all the Xbox games, they'd all have needed an update to add a "handheld mode".
It's not like the backwards compatibility, where you are running previous games on more powerful hardware.
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ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) is proud to announce an all-new series of Ally handhelds built from the ground up with improved ergonomics and a seamless player-first user experience.
Developed in partnership with the incredible team at Xbox, the new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X offer best-in-class ergonomics and a full-screen Xbox experience that marries the best of Xbox and PC gaming in one cohesive package.
8 comments
It's officially the era of the handheld. There's going to be so many failures... nobody is going to buy all these different options, 1 or 2 will succeed, and the others will fade out once they realize the numbers will never be what they expected.
I think MS took the right path here by just partnering with ASUS (okay... ASUS sucks but...). ASUS is already making a handheld every year and they are very well received (until anyone needs to RMA something). But ASUS also has their entire laptop and monitor and component divisions.
My worry is more the GPD and Aya Neos of the world. They kind of dragged handheld form factor laptops kicking and screaming... and then Valve ate their lunch. Rightfully so because the GPDs and Ayas were always horrible to use and full of bloat (and maybe spyware) but it still sucks.
But this specifically? MS are doing the same thing Valve are. The idea will be that you buy a handheld and then install the OS/ecosystem you want on there. Valve want SteamOS (or just not Microsoft) on everything. MS wants Windows+Game Mode on everything. And, because this is post 2010s MS, Valve wins either way because Steam also runs on Windows whereas gamepass is locked to only Windows.
I DO think the implication of needing an xbox button (which can also be the steam button) and adaptive triggers to get "xbox certified" is gonna suck and be a way to deprecate older devices. But I doubt those will be hard requirements for a few years.
Because... we are due for the next console generation in 2-3 years, right? We just got the refresh SKU for PS5 and that will line up for the usual 6-8 year cycle. And this positions MS to push their requirements controller wise.
I don't dislike what I saw. Personally, I just think they are already too late to enter the market and be a big success. We just saw the numbers that Linux is killing it in almost all categories on the Legion compared to a windows OS, which is pretty bad news to have less than a month before showcasing this. It's not like the Xbox brand is doing that wonderful these days, either. I think it will sell but not do as good as expected, and they will move on or completely give up. From what I hear, Xbox in general, is barely holding on these days. I love what gamepass did, but that may be all that remains if they can't sell more hardware.
If I had to pick any 1 device that's either out now or soon to be out, I am definitely not picking this one. I will also be sad if they fail since we all know the competition is what keeps things from getting stagnant and also keep prices down.