If M$ was smart, they’d develop a version of Windows optimized for gaming. But they can’t do that without implying that desktop Windows is inferior for games.
Microsoft Shifts Xbox Gaming Handheld Ambitions to Third-Party Windows Handhelds, Postpones 2027 Launch Plans
Submitted 3 weeks ago by Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world to games@lemmy.world
Comments
yesman@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
atrielienz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
They already have the Xbox framework. I don’t understand why it’s so difficult to just use that for gaming and give the handle the ability to launch a lightweight version of Windows similar to the easy Steam OS will let you exit to Linux desktop.
ampersandrew@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
There are a lot of edge cases. You have to handle external launchers, external error prompts; basically anything that requires you to Alt+Tab. One of the things Valve did a decade ago was the stuff that got rolled into GameScope that ensures that they never lose focus of the game window. Even with the resources to transform Windows this way, it will still take time.
Natanael@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
They’re probably building off Windows RT (the locked down variant designed for ARM tablets).
If they were smart they’d imitate some of how SteamOS runs games in a modified WinRT environment - TLDR do NOT start up the entire Win32 runtime and desktop environment by default, don’t run stuff like printer services and whatnot, just run a simplified sandbox and window manager with just the APIs needed to run the games similar to Proton. Then let the user switch to desktop mode as needed, but don’t run it when gaming.
Katana314@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m guessing this is basically how the Xbox works already.
Spuddlesv2@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
That is literally what they’re doing.
chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
And failing, apparently
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Eh… No
Without implying that desktop Windows wasn’t made with hardware that has neither a keyboard or a mouse in mind? That it wasn’t made to be used on a 7" screen? Sure.
Only in the Linux fanatics minds does it implies that desktop Windows is inferior for games.
yesman@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Linux fanatics
I’d rather be a fanatic than a revenue stream with Stockholm syndrome.
drmoose@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Bet that linux vs windows performance video did it in. The exec who thinks linux desktop doesn’t even exist saw this and immediately shat their pants in rage.
LiveLM@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 3 weeks ago
At this rate they should brand it as a Zune device.
MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
They would instantly have my attention. The Zune was dope.
MuskyMelon@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
It’s their own fault they couldn’t see a demand for handheld gaming.
ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
To be fair, everyone was sure handhelds would die and mobile games would take over everything. Then the Switch happened.
Katana314@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
So far as I can think, wasn’t the only handheld that failed the Playstation Vita? And that had very visible reasons for the failure - designing itself around an obtuse storage medium, and requiring first-party memory cards. Even with those drawbacks and with no first-party support, it had a tremendous following.
It honestly could still be a worthwhile device to chain off of, since none of the current offerings fit in a pants pocket.
MuskyMelon@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
And how many years since the Switch? Even the Steam Deck was an open secret for years.
samus12345@lemm.ee 3 weeks ago
Much as I hate Nintendo now, their contribution to gaming can’t be denied. First they revived it from the crash in 1983, then they showed that there’s a market for a hybrid console/handheld device, paving the way for PC handhelds.
secret300@lemmy.sdf.org 3 weeks ago
Anyone that has ever played a game on a phone knew that would never happen.
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
This is how Microsoft has operated since day 1:
- they let WordPerfect take the lead and followed up with Word
- they let VisiCalc and Lotus 123 take the lead and followed up with Excel
- they let Apple take the lead on GUI with the Mac and followed up with Windows
- they let Netscape take the lead and followed up with IE
- they let Sony take the lead with PlayStation and followed up with Xbox
- they let Apple take the lead with iPad and followed up with Surface
- now they’re letting Valve take the lead with SteamDeck and following up with their own handheld
MuskyMelon@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
“Let” is that the wrong word. Microsoft was setup specifically to make BASIC for the Altair. DOS they stumbled into because CP/M dropped the ball. Every other product, they’ve been chasing new markets that they didn’t think of being in.
I’m critical about Xbox handheld/portable because it was so obvious that that’s where the demand would come from.
However, they’ve been better at monetizing their other software and services better than anyone else though.
AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
There is absolutely zero chance a windows handheld gaming device succeeds, what the actual fuck are they thinking, lol.
Plebcouncilman@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
What do you mean? The ROG Ally has been successful. It’s a great device.
AfricanGray@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
It's powerful, but the device isn't "great." It suffers from poor ASUS quality control and support. Let's also not forget the notorious overheating SD card slot because they thought it was a good idea to put it next to the exhaust. It's a poorly thought out design especially compared to the Steam Deck. Valve's effort is still the best on the market.
Luffy879@lemmy.ml 3 weeks ago
Dont overestimate the power of the Lobotomites.
They already managed to invade Lemmy and complain about SteamOS not supporting a 4090, so its only a matter of time until they start hating linux alltogether
Sonotsugipaa@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
But generally they already do hate Linux, we’re talking about the demographic that considers webp a bad image format because some Windows default applications don’t support it while having no idea what the format is like
vane@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
When you start from Windows NT and vibe code for 31 years.
Etterra@discuss.online 3 weeks ago
Why does this thing look like it fell into a ravine.
nostalgicgamerz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
God Microsoft is just taking so many L’s. How can they make so much money and be so bad at managing Xbox?
hperrin@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Cool. I’ll just be over here happily playing my Steam Deck.
Yermaw@lemm.ee 3 weeks ago
Maybe even get Xbox gamepass on it.
Im honestly not sure why they’re making a handheld Xbox after their “everything is an xbox” push. Why have just an Xbox when you can get anything else PLUS an Xbox for likely cheaper?
chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
That’s why they’re doing this. The sleeping dragon is waking up. They’re gonna pour all of their marketing effort into killing the Steam Deck because of the threat it represents for consumer Windows.
zecg@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They have no leverage, no exclusive games and their DirectX moat is filled by Proton/Vulkan