Thursday, December 19th 2024
Xbox Cross-Platform UI Leak Confirms Microsoft Targeting Handheld Gaming Experience
The Xbox gaming handheld is reportedly in the early stages of development at Microsoft, but in the meantime, the PC giant is apparently working on unifying its gaming experience across the various platforms where its games are available. According to a Windows Central report, Microsoft is working on something called Project Rainway, which is "a set of in-game APIs and user interface features," that will take shape as a cross-platform Xbox user interface. This news comes after Microsoft's recent "This is an Xbox" ad campaign and some pretty notable changes to its Xbox Game Bar to make that more compatible with gaming handhelds. How this new API and UI will take shape is yet to be seen, but it will likely further blur the line between gaming consoles and PCs—something that the Valve Steam Deck has also done in the years since its launch.
This seems to align with Microsoft's current strategy around gaming, which has seen Microsoft Gaming head, Phil Spencer, confirm that the company is both working on its own gaming handheld and that, in the meantime, it is focussed on making the Xbox gaming experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible on current gaming hardware. Xbox is also seemingly moving away from console exclusives as a concept, as we reported earlier this month, and, according to Windows Central's sources at least, this is partly because Microsoft has noticed no measurable impact on Xbox performance as a result of moving Xbox exclusives over to other consoles.
Source:
Windows Central
This seems to align with Microsoft's current strategy around gaming, which has seen Microsoft Gaming head, Phil Spencer, confirm that the company is both working on its own gaming handheld and that, in the meantime, it is focussed on making the Xbox gaming experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible on current gaming hardware. Xbox is also seemingly moving away from console exclusives as a concept, as we reported earlier this month, and, according to Windows Central's sources at least, this is partly because Microsoft has noticed no measurable impact on Xbox performance as a result of moving Xbox exclusives over to other consoles.
21 Comments on Xbox Cross-Platform UI Leak Confirms Microsoft Targeting Handheld Gaming Experience
SteamOS is what gamers pray for at night when their windowsOS isn´t spying on them.
This isn´t a "nice-to have".
It wil determine if xbox still can have a dominant stake/role in the future.
Good luck!
The Xbox handheld would have the same issue. The steam deck frees you from MS's spyware, but if you don't mind wind blows, there are a number of windows handhelds out already that are more capable then the steam deck, and don't have that pesky walled garden issue.
My last handheld was a Gameboy color when I was a child. Handhelds are for children and child like adults.
I don't see a handheld doing anything significant for Xbox. Probably detrimental more than anything. That's just because I have zero interest in these handhelds, including the steam deck.
I'd rather see a stripped down xbox OS, call it WindowsX, than want my PC gaming on the go.
So why buy the Xbox handheld?Steam deck is arch and is selling great, so....
Thank you Lenovo and Valve. You’re putting pressure on Microsoft.
I don't see why anyone would want an Xbox handheld when the Steam Deck is a better experience without Windows. Microsoft making an Xbox handheld seems unnecessary because it's just another Xbox but portable, and it would be a less flexible device than a Steam Deck or Windows handheld since the Deck or Windows handheld can also be used a PC.
I work all day in front of a computer, so the last thing I want to do these days is to remain in the seat and play games on it. This is why my desktop does not see any use anymore. The Series X also goes unused as I just find the distance between the large screen and the controller too, for lack of a better term, 'unintimate', and thus difficult to engage with. My Nintendo Switch also collects dust as I've never really been heavily into their most popular IP.
These Windows handhelds on the other hand, I'm very keen for. If it wasn't for the impending launch of the next wave of devices, I'd probably have an Ally X by now. While I have Game Pass, which would be fantastic on such a device, I'm actually most interesting in playing through my 20yo games from the back catalog for a good burst of nostalgia. These games are perfect for these devices as they'd hardly tax the hardware, meaning you can keep TDP down, they'd run at high FPS, and there's generally plenty of mods out there to freshen them up. Perfect for casual couch gaming, those long-haul flights, or most scenarios in between.
Edit: Can't forget emulation either. Owning something Midnight Club 3 for PS2, then being able to play that on something while out and about is another benefit.
“Why buy the Xbox Handheld” simple. Options! Linux Android fanboys love options so why it’s a bad thing for Windows? Why buy other Android phones when Google makes their own?
Why buy a Steam Deck where other handhelds with Android OS are far superior when it comes to OS and on top of that you can stream your PlayStation or Xbox console to your Android device by downloading an app compared to using Steam OS…OH and you can use STEAM LINK on Android so if you really want to play on your PC on the go YOU CAN. Also Android handhelds are usually cheaper than the Steam Deck…
Valve has a massive market with the Steam Deck, it has started a whole market of handhelds everyone else has been copying Valve on, and its quite obvious Microsoft wants some of that market. An Xbox handheld simply makes no sense, even Microsoft admits the Xbox makes no sense with Xbox cloud game streaming.
As for an Android handheld, those are fine if you only want to stream games, I'd rather have games on the hardware with no input lag.
I'd imagine most people use a Web browser 90% of the time they use a device, so that'll be collecting the most 'useful' data, regardless of the OS being used.
It seems people just like to scrutinise Microsoft more than most other companies, even if others are doing the same, or even worse! Microsoft definitely hasn't done itself any favours with their abysmal marketing over the years...
If you're still that paranoid, maybe try using O&O ShupUp10++
Android is Linux and Google developed Android and Google is KNOWN for spyware and selling your data but weirdly every tech enthusiasts that hates Apple and Microsoft have no issues with Google for some reason even though are they are WAY WORSE then Microsoft and Apple.We have WiFi 6e and soon WiFi 7. Wireless input lag is less and less. We can stream anything nowadays. Xbox Game Pass on stable internet is actually really good and have been using it on my ROG ALLY as well as stream my Xbox Series X to the Ally as well. Plus you’re not pushing the CPU/GPU/SoC/APU at all thus better battery life than playing natively.
All that aside, I too prefer to play on the hardware with no input lag as that is the best.