The primary Xbox transportable may launch later this yr, as a part of a Microsoft initiative to unify Home windows and Xbox’s gaming choices.
That’s in line with The Verge, which claims that Microsoft is engaged on a handheld with producer Asus referred to as ‘Mission Kennan’, which goals to supply “a common library of Xbox and PC video games”.
Asus’s Xbox-branded handheld may debut later this yr, it’s claimed, however as a result of any such launch is reliant on Microsoft’s platform work, timelines may change.
The platform work is reportedly codenamed ‘Mission Bayside’, and goals to ship “a standard Xbox UI throughout a number of units to assist mix Home windows and Xbox”.
The alleged plans observe feedback from Microsoft’s VP of “Subsequent Era,” Jason Ronald, who mentioned earlier this yr that any future handheld machine would mix “the very best of Xbox and Home windows.”
“I might say it’s bringing the very best of Xbox and Home windows collectively as a result of we now have spent the final 20 years constructing a world-class working system, nevertheless it’s actually locked to the console,” mentioned Ronald.
“What we’re doing is we’re actually targeted on how will we carry these experiences for each gamers and builders to the broader Home windows ecosystem.”
Ronald advised The Verge that the purpose of any potential Xbox handheld can be to create an expertise that places Xbox on the heart of its focus, “not the Home windows desktop that you’ve immediately.”
Microsoft has overtly mentioned its need to launch an Xbox handheld. In March 2024, Microsoft Gaming CEO Spencer mentioned what he’d wish to see in a possible Xbox handheld.
Throughout an interview following final summer season’s Xbox Video games Showcase, the manager returned to the topic, by which he dropped his largest trace {that a} handheld may very well be within the works.
When it was advised to Spencer that Xbox had been constructing its enterprise across the technique of being the place the gamers are, be that on PC or, extra not too long ago, on different console platforms, he mentioned: “So we must always have a handheld? I feel we must always have a handheld too.”
