Final 12 months, a narrative broke that Microsoft was engaged on prototypes for an Xbox handheld console that would doubtlessly compete with Valve’s Steam Deck. Nonetheless, a brand new report means that Microsoft is placing apart its ambitions for a devoted Xbox handheld, at the least for now.
Based on Home windows Central, Microsoft is shifting its precedence away from its Xbox handheld to concentrate on bettering the gaming efficiency of Home windows 11 on third-party handheld gadgets together with ASUS’ Undertaking Kennan. The report notes that Microsoft nonetheless has ambitions of releasing its personal handheld and it is growing further expertise in the direction of that purpose. However for the rapid future, that is not a precedence.
There have been rumors about Xbox handheld consoles for the higher a part of the final twenty years. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed that there have been Xbox handheld prototypes previously, none of which made it out of improvement.
Spencer acknowledged the potential for a brand new Xbox handheld final 12 months with out instantly confirming it. He additionally instructed that any Xbox handheld was nonetheless “a couple of years out.” Extra just lately, Spencer demonstrated how he performs his Xbox video games on the Lenovo Legion Go. He additionally shared his perception that the “workforce may do some actual progressive work” on an Xbox handheld.
There have been prior experiences that the next-generation Xbox console could help a handheld system, maybe in an identical strategy to the Nintendo’s Swap. Home windows Central’s newest experiences means that improvement on the following Xbox console was not impacted by the choice to pause the potential handheld, which can name the sooner report into query.
Earlier this 12 months, Xbox president Sarah Bond instructed that Microsoft’s subsequent dwelling console will provide the “largest technical leap” in Xbox historical past. However for now, Microsoft has but to reveal any particulars about that system or when it might be launched.
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