Is this the rumoured Xbox handheld that everyone has been going on about for months?
Microsoft and Asus announce two Xbox Ally handhelds with new Xbox full-screen experience
Submitted 2 weeks ago by tonytins@pawb.social to games@lemmy.world
Comments
ampersarnie@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
PacMan@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I still think the real XBox handheld is another 2-5 years out. This is Microsoft dipping their toes in the water and the ROC is a great system to start that partnership
GreyCat@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They seem to have dropped all plans to plans to make their own recently.
The ROG Xbox Ally will still release, but no microsoft Xbox handheld.ampersarnie@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Steam Deck appreciator myself and this does seem like a good starting point for Xbox. I’m interested to see how it progresses over the years.
lazycouchpotato@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yep.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
I believe somewhere else that idea/project was taken back to the workshop and this is something else but close to that.
Zykino@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
Yeah, I also read that they stopped the project of building an official Xbox handheld to focus on 3rd party hardware. Because otherwise the delay would make them not launch at the same time than the home console.
ampersarnie@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I read that somewhere as well, it coincided with reports of SteamOS being more performant that Windows 11 for gaming. How related they both were I have no idea but it sounds like MS were already aware and are trying to resolve that here as it prevents resource intensive processes from launching (desktop, etc).
Blackmist@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
Only it doesn’t run Xbox games. 🤡
Vanilla_PuddinFudge@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
To Microsoft, everything is an Xbox.
At least that’s their marketing atm.
overload@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
LTT describes that the XBOX team have also trimmed down 2GB of W11 desktop bloat with this and have attempted to make the W11 experience more similar to a console. I’m curious to follow this. I’d imagine Microsoft are a bit intimidated by the fact that SteamOS is a better gaming OS than Windows. Obviously this must have been in the pipeline for a long time now.
pycorax@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I would be interested if it also supported quick resume from sleep like the Deck does. Imo that’s the killer SteamOS feature that’s keeping Windows alternatives from being even a consideration.
overload@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
If they can’t do that then this thing is kind of DOA. I’ve just assumed for some reason that this is what they’re doing.
sheogorath@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
If they implemented Direct Resume I might cave and reinstall Windows on my Ally.
smeg@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
hide away the complexity of Windows
for 720p gaming
the ability to log in via the Windows lockscreen with your controller
Seems like they’ve finally taken some notes from the Steam Deck, interested to see if they can actually make something decent. It seems unlikely, but I’m still interested!
Olap@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I am whelmed. Never been the biggest mobile gamer, will skip
TachyonTele@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
And the crowd went ...ok?
Zykino@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
At least the internet crowd went :
Silksooooooooooong ! New images and half revealed date of “you will be able to play it on day one”. So either same launch day or a bit before. 2nd time (after the switch 2 trailer) that they mention silksong for this year. So maaaaybe ? Oh by the way, why are the image shown at an angle? Is it really only to showcase the console? Whatever.
bmebenji@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Sounds like yet another great handheld device [to install SteamOS on]!
Hafty@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This is sick if the pricing is good.
nostalgicgamerz@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It won’t.
Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Insert credit card to find out
solsangraal@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
damn asus not reading the room…
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
You mean the Linux room? You think the average person cares on what OS their stuff runs?
You, my dear friend, are a very loud and vocal minority.
Shape4985@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Booooo
Steam deck ftw
Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It probably should have released a could months ago, pre switch2 hype.
sramder@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Anyone member when IBM decided it was an “ideas company” or some bullshit like that?
I mean, they still make more than I do, but when was the last time anybody thought of IBM?
Zorque@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
For consumer electronics? Probably as long time. For industrial applications? Quite often.
sramder@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
That’s true, it took them 10-15 years but they built a huge service business. I was specifically referring to the loss of the desktop market to the “clones” which has a rough equivalence.
It was more of a cheap shot than a serious prediction ☺️ As long as MS controls the licensing and software this is a completely logical move.
audaxdreik@pawb.social 2 weeks ago
I suspect handhelds are going to be the future for awhile now. It’s not just out of a growing demand or simply because portable graphics processing and battery power have improved (although those factors do help) but it’s another chance to:
- Push locked hardware
- Funnel to controlled storefronts
- Bring down and moderate the increasingly unsustainable AAA development costs
Those first two aren’t particularly surprising, they’re the key elements that Nintendo has honed in on while Sony and particularly Microsoft continue to struggle. Microsoft feels like they’ve just left XBox to languish while they focus on Game Pass as a means to ensnare you into their economy which is why they’re first down this path, but I think Sony will follow shortly. In an ideal world, I’d love to see Sony get back to hardware manufacturing with a Vita like device you could load Linux/SteamOS onto. Vita was a great little product, done so dirty.
But moreover it’s that last point, really. It’s hard to continue to push out these extraordinarily big budget, bordering on AAAA (lol) territory games that continue to flop. I know the Switch 2 is already doing stuff like Cyberpunk 2077, but that stuff can still be hell on battery life as well as requiring lower resolution and lowered visuals in portable mode.
I feel like Nintendo is making a big mistake pushing that 4K60 envelope with the Switch 2, although I see why they made that maneuver. The Switch was perpetually underpowered and they felt the need to close that gap, but they already struggle to push out big budget tentpole franchises as is illustrated by Mario Kart World being the only big release title. Also, I just want to generally point this out, Nintendo suffers from needing to up the stakes. It’s what lead to Mario Galaxy being such a grand adventure, then Odyssey going even bigger than that. Now we have Kart World because … gotta get bigger than 8 Deluxe somehow I guess.
I don’t know what any of this means or where it’s going, I just wanted to try and call out some of these observations. Turbulent times ahead, I don’t know that anyone really knows what the next 2-3 years will look like.
samus12345@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I know the Switch 2 is already doing stuff like Cyberpunk 2077
It’s 4 1/2 years old and already runs on other handhelds. Not really an impressive feat.
they already struggle to push out big budget tentpole franchises as is illustrated by Mario Kart World being the only big release title.
Yeah, I read that they only released something like 22 original titles in the 8 years the Switch has been around. That’s not counting any ports, remasters, and the like, which make up a hefty chunk of their Switch releases. They got away with it before because so few people had a Wii U, but they need to up their game to make the Switch 2 appealing to the masses, especially with the high price tag. It’s not a promising start, with announced titles being Donkey Kong Bananza (which looks great) and a whole bunch of Switch 1 upsells, including Metroid Prime 4, which will be released for both consoles. Feels like they’re trying to cannibalize their Switch 1 releases the way they did their Wii U ones.
ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I sincerely doubt that this device will satisfy criteria #1 or #2, unless you’ve got a generous definition for #2.
drspawndisaster@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
And yet, they still think they’re too good to put track pads on it.
I don’t think these companies are aware that what made the deck popular was it knew what it was and that it had a lot to prove, and so it featured a very tight but dynamic design that allowed it to compensate for being in a form factor that is just sometimes inherently inconvenient to PC gaming. It wasn’t just a gaming pc with an Xbox controller taped to it, which this is.
nostalgicgamerz@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Needs to provide FSR 4 to compete with Switch 2.
The fact that it’s the first handheld to get DLSS is bullahity
vividspecter@lemm.ee 2 weeks ago
Needs to provide FSR 4 to compete with Switch 2.
It can’t unless FSR4 is backported to RDNA2/3. There’s some work on Linux to do that, but there is a significant performance hit at the moment.
RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
If I had more disposable income I would probably get one, but the global economy is so garbage right now I can barely afford my basic utilities.
k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
This will likely only play pc games… And that is the big disappointment.
Who cares? We already have pc gaming handhelds. Unless this is subsidized to hell so it beats all other pricepoints… why should anyone care?
If my xbox library was made mobile… That would be something new and worthwhile. NO, I DONT WANT TO STREAM. I cant always stream on a handheld either. I want to possess my games!(As much as i can anyways)
Xbox will be disappointed by the sales of this handheld and might give up on their own that could play the xbox library locally. If they do that their next generation is screwed. Lets see how this plays out.
ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They have given up on their own handheld. And why wouldn’t you prefer the PC library when it’s so much larger? The appeal to this device at this point is that the new UI is better for the handheld use case than desktop Windows.
k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Its not that i dont prefer the PC library, its that there are already dozens of other handhelds that play PC games already.
So then the UI is the sole reason people should want this device?
I see no reason why this UI shouldnt also work on the plethora of other windows handhelds in the market currently. This leaves nothing new for this device to offer… Unless its really cheap.
Resplendent606@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It will run better on Steam OS.
HiddenLychee@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Does steam OS allow for things like Nexus mods and emulators?
drspawndisaster@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Mods are tricky. The short answer is yes, absolutely*
The long answer is that youll have to read up on how compatibility layers like Wine work before being able to do everything you can do with windows on a Linux OS modding-wise. Long story short you just kinda stick them in the same instance, and it will all work pretty much perfectly. It’s more work though. Also in my experience MO2 crashes if run outside of Gaming Mode on my deck.
Nexus mods is, however, making a mod manager that supports Linux right out of the box, so we may not even have to worry about that anymore soon. I think it supports stardew valley already, next is cyberpunk 2077, and Bethesda rpgs are on the list to be added too.
In my experience, I’ve installed wabbajack mod lists for skyrim and fallout 4 and new vegas if I remember right, and they all work great. The instructions might seem a little janky, but they work. I’ve also made my own lists and followed manual modpack guides like Below Zero for fallout 4 Frost and it turned out great.
Resplendent606@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yes to both. Nexus mods can be installed both manually or through an application like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 run through Wine or Proton. You have a lot of options. Emulators run really well on Linux (including SteamOS). Checkout EmuDeck (popular application) or RetroArch (also popular).