Microsoft’s Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, has been dropping hints about a potential Xbox handheld for months now. Earlier this yr he stated he was “a big fan of handhelds,” after liking posts on X that point out the potential of this new {hardware}. Now, in an interview with IGN Spencer says “I think we should have a handheld, too.”
It’s the largest trace but that Microsoft is engaged on an Xbox handheld, one thing that’s been long-rumored. “The future for us in hardware is pretty awesome. The work that the team is doing around different form factors and different ways to play, I’m incredibly excited about,” stated Spencer. “Today was about the games… but we will have a time to come out and talk more about platform.”
Pressed on whether or not an Xbox handheld would stream video games or play them regionally, Spencer dropped a additional trace that Microsoft is a true handheld gaming machine reasonably than one thing just like the PlayStation Portal. “I like my ROG Ally, my Lenovo Legion Go, my Steam Deck. I think being able to play games locally is really important,” stated Spencer.
Earlier this yr Spencer talked about wanting a compact Xbox mode on a handheld gaming PC. “I want to be able to boot into the Xbox app in a full screen, but in a compact mode,” stated Spencer in a Polygon interview. “Like I want it to feel like the dash of my Xbox when I turn on the television. [Except I want it] on those devices.”
I believe what Microsoft is engaged on is an Xbox handheld that’s Windows-based, however that has the power to run Xbox video games and the total Xbox dashboard. On The Vergecast earlier this yr, I discussed my best for an Xbox handheld. It would run Windows at its core however by no means expose this to you so it appears to be like and looks like an Xbox console, however if you wish to run Steam video games or Xbox video games, you may.
