It’s no secret that Phil Spencer is an admirer of handheld gaming PCs having talked about how the Xbox model can break into the scene on a number of events. Now, in a brand new interview from GDC, we all know a little bit bit extra about what precisely he desires.
We consider the Steam Deck OLED is one of the best handheld gaming PC in the marketplace proper now, however opponents such because the ROG Ally and Legion Go have sizable audiences too. The truth is, it was whereas taking part in on his Legion Go that Phil Spencer seemingly realized what he desires from his Xbox model, and it’s not simply one other piece of {hardware}.
Talking to Polygon, the Xbox chief states he desires his “Lenovo Legion Go to really feel like an Xbox”. That’s a easy and cheap request for positive, but it surely additionally reveals that Spencer isn’t set on an Xbox handheld essentially which means new {hardware}.
As a substitute, he goes on to recommend that “I need to have the ability to boot into the Xbox app in a full display however in a compact mode”. That is the primary actual indication that we may quickly see a greater built-in Xbox app accessible for handheld gaming PCs, offering fast and quick access to video games with out having to navigate Home windows foibles.
Across the latest Xbox enterprise replace, Spencer was on the document speaking about how Home windows is arguably the most important limiting issue of units such because the Ally and Legion Go. Nonetheless, let’s face it, Valve isn’t about to simply let Microsoft run a GamePass app on SteamOS both.
Giving credit score to opponents, Spencer acknowledges that “Valve, Lenovo, and Asus went out and innovated in a brand new kind issue. And I’ll say that once I’m taking part in these units, it virtually feels extra like a console than a PC.” On this, we completely agree. Trendy handheld gaming, regardless of utilizing {hardware} extra according to mini PCs, feels much more akin to the experiences we had on the PSP, PS Vita, and even the GameBoy Advance.
This new line of pondering reveals that Xbox is critical about investing within the handheld area, however desires to take action in a manner that makes essentially the most sense, and is secure. That is opposite to the method from PlayStation with its Portal; many customers are nonetheless struggling to grasp why this system is so restricted.
We’re excited to trace Xbox’s progress on gaming handhelds, however we don’t count on to see any stable bulletins till subsequent yr. Except, after all, Microsoft is solely holding its playing cards very near its chest, and work is already underway on the perfect app that Phil Spencer seems to desperately need.
For a take a look at some nice experiences on the go, try one of the best Steam Deck video games you may play, all of which have been verified for Valve’s pocket powerhouse.
