BAMozzy

I personallly don't want to see contrasting Art-styles in a game - Cel-shaded characters were bad enough, but cartoon art is definitely too far. The Beavis/Butthead skins, whilst they are so easy to spot and target, really clash with the rest of the games Aethestic. TMNT skins don't clash and I bet if they had 'humanised' Beavis & Butthead, made them in the same art-style as their standard characters, the community perhaps would be a bit more tolerant.

Its clear that BO7 will have 'unrealistic' (for a Military) looking skins/outfits. Much like BO6 had Brutus and Klaus Zombie skins with the Vault edition, the Vault edition of BO7 has some Cosmetic skins too. I still expect them to sell 'outrageous' skins and of course cross-overs (like Squid Game or TMNT) but I also don't expect to see ANY Cartoon 'skins'.

As BO6 has Cartoon Skins, inc Cel Shaded and not just the Characters, but the Weapon Blueprints and even Death Effects/tracers with very Comic/Cartoon style art, it does make sense to stop all carry forward into BO7 if they don't intend for those artstyles to return. Warzone though will still carry forward but that, like the Post Launch Seasonal Content is funded with a F2P type model. As such, they'll still need to sell Cosmetics and Battle Passes to pay for the F2P content.

I won't equip any Cel Shaded or Cartoon style cosmetics regardless and it doesn't really 'annoy' me to see them in my game - in fact those that do choose to equip often make it so much easier to spot them and kill them as they stand out so much. I see these as more Pay to Lose because they stand out so much - unlike the Terminator or Rose skins that blend in to dark areas very well...

People are still happy playing games on their Switch, PS4 or XB1 hardware but that didn't stop the next gen Consoles coming and 'selling' too.

I have no doubt that Series X and PS5 owners are 'content' with their access to games and 'tolerate' the level of Graphical Quality and Performance options - but the fact some have to choose between a higher Quality image or Frame Rates, having to forego certain features (like RT) for more Frames, the fact that some games are relying on FSR to get a '4k like' image but only running at 1080p or lower, the fact that even when they target 30fps, you still rely on DRS or FSR upscaling from 1440p or lower, still don't get the full RT or other high end Quality visual settings etc are also reasons SOME gamers would upgrade immediately a more powerful console releases.

I don't know what the Sales of PS5 Pro are, but I betits still selling so that indicates some would buy a Next gen today if they released one.

5-6yrs is still above average for a Consoles life cycle. No-one 'needs' to upgrade their Mobile Phone yet every year, new improved Phones release - of course the average person replaces their phone sfter about 3years. Last gen I replaced my Project Scorpio 'Day 1' XB1 with a Gears 4 XB1S after 3yrs and replaced that with a XB1X and 3yrs later, upgraded to a Series X. During the LONG 360 gen, I owned 4 different 360's - Launch, Elite, Slim and then a Slim with Kinect.

I don't believe Any Dev can create a brand new game that could NEVER have been made before because of Hardware limitations - Its all about the refinement and improvement. Not just resolution and/or Graphical detail with no pop-in and real time lighting for example, but things like AI to improve interaction with NPC's or improved Physics for improved behaviour, including destruction and particles interacting with environment, hair/cloth not clipping through solid objects etc.

Talking of AI, AI has become very important to gaming - DLSS is AI upscaling and frame generation and only the PS5 Pro has any AI cores built in. Like there was a 'need' to move to SSD's and Chips that could do RT and other features as these were taking off in the PC space, DLSS has gone from Strength to Strength and AI cores becoming more important, there is a 'need' to develop new Console Hardware to offer those.

@BaldB3lper78 The Lenovo Go will likely get the same Windows 11 OS at some point so will also benefit from a more optimised gaming OS than it currently has.

Other than specs and layout, the rest is pretty much the same - same Library. Unless of course you go for the SteamOS version of Lenovo which basically locks you to Steam and hope that every 'Windows' game plays nicely with the Proton Layer. You won't get your Play Anywhere Xbox games or Game Pass on Steam OS - its basically a 3rd Party Steamdeck.

The 'Xbox' branded RoG Ally is just the 'first' Handheld PC to have a 'new' Handheld version of Win 11 that doesn't boot up the 'full' Windows 11 suite for a more optimised and efficient OS for gaming. That is expected to come to other handhelds sometime next year.

Windows and Xbox are BOTH MS owned, both linked and why MS support PC like their Console. So you need a Windows PC if you want to 'benefit' from Game Pass and Play Anywhere games - not Steam or Steam OS. Steam is its OWN platform like Playstation or Switch so if you have no history on Steam, you'll have to start buying from Steam to have any games to play on Steam...

@Exerion76 You don't know that - it maybe running Windows, but its not running the FULL Windows as shuts off some unnecessary (for gaming) processes which in turn leaves more 'resources' for Gaming - it saves upto 2GB's of Memory which can now be assigned to gaming.

That is the 'point' about this device compared to all previous Windows Handheld - that Windows 'bloat' is far more impactful on low powered devices where every resource is extremely limited and power starved too.

It may not exactly match Steam OS, but it will be a LOT closer than it currently is and when it comes to your Lenovo Go in the future, you'll be able to compare and have an actual informed opinion...

@kmtrain83 A laptop may well be the better option and you can always use a Controller - it's just not as well 'optimised' for gaming specific and a bit more inconveneint to play 'on the go'.

The games options will be the same and you can always access the Xbox App too, if you sign into windows with your Xbox Microsoft account. It's just the 'convenience' and ergonomics of this handheld, along with the 'Xbox' and Windows 11 teams working together to create this Windows 11 'optimised for Handheld gaming' version coming first to this device.

Any PC currently offers the same Library and access so a Laptop may well be the more sensible route for your current situation than buying something more designed for gaming on the Go specifically - but cumbersome to use with a tiny touchscreen keyboard for any other functionality. All Windows PC's these days have the same option to play EVERY PC game available today on it, just the specs decide whether its a graphical showcase with excellent frame rates or low res low settings, choppy mess to play and everything in between as most have some 'GPU' Cores built in to their chips so it comes down to what is 'most' important to you for its use - if you intendto pretty much only use it for gaming 'anywhere' in one 'convenient' easy to use device, then the Handheld PC is 'best', want to do work or use the full versatility of windows to type emails, do any work etc, then a Laptop or Tablet maybe best. Tablets with a keyboard cover - like Surface pro or ipads are very portable but not 'great' for gaming spec wise....

Most 'Gaming' Laptops are designed more for playing at any desk near a plug socket than'playing 'untethered' anywhere. They are awkward to balance on your knees on a bus journey or train journey without a table to put a laptop on, and won't get much battery life in modern games with their separately powered GPU as well as CPU and cooling for everything. They are more 'portable' than a desktop, but not quite as portable as a Handheld device. Trackpads too are awful for gaming so you need a mouse if not using a Controller so you have to take additional items with you regardless to 'game' on the go but Handhelds are 'All in One' (Controller, screen and electronical Hardware) devices designed to be played 'Anywhere' - in bed, on the sofa, in the park, on the bus, in the waiting room of a Drs appointment, where ever you have 'time' to game regardless of where you are.

@norwichred To answer your first point, I can't help you with regards to streaming in Dubai but if they don't offer it, then its not going to let you play your 'entire' Console library. I don't know if Remote Play is an option, as in streaming direct from your Console like Playstation Portal offers, but if you can remote play to a laptop/desktop, that maybe your only option - other than maybe re-buying the PC versions of games you want to play.

You can download any 'Play Anywhere' Xbox title (over 1300 games are Play Anywhere) or if they are on Game Pass for PC too with your Game Pass Subscription - chances are you have 'numerous' games you can install and play without needing to spend any additional money (if you already Sub to GPU, you get Game Pass for PC, EA Access and Streaming (if available in your region).

If you want to play 'offline', you can always re-buy the PC version, just like you'd have to do with any other Handheld on the market. You don't get the Steam version with Play Anywhere so won't get the games on a Steamdeck, so won't get ANY Xbox games on that or Switch 2. Won't get your entire Library on any other PC but will get Play Anywhere and Game Pass PC games through 'Microsoft' on ANY PC, the exact same situation applies with this too.

The ONLY difference between all the other Handheld Windows PC's is that this doesn't boot the full Windows 11 but a Gaming Optimised version, doesn't boot to the full windows Desktop, but to the 'Xbox PC App' and its designed by Xbox/Windows team for Controller input - this will be coming to other PC handhelds in the future but this is the first.

Another aspect is that is uses Microsofts Controller layout in Full size to feel like an Xbox Controller, not a typical handheld with 70% scale controls and designed more for slim design than ergonomic comfort. But it is still a 'full' gaming PC and you don't expect your ENTIRE Xbox Library to be playable on a PC gaming rig. The fact you can play 'some' games thanks to Play Anywhere and Game Pass for PC is a 'bonus' - you won't get Spider-man or God of War on PC because you own a PS version, won't get them on a Xbox console at all, but can play them natively on a Xbox branded PC

@Fiendish-Beaver Steam games bought from steam are playable 'Natively' on a Steamdeck so you don't 'stream' to a steamdeck.

Xbox is NOT just the Console - Xbox is Microsofts Gaming Brand, their 'platform' on PC like Steam is its own Platform on PC. You don't get the 'Steam' versions of Xbox Play Anywhere PC titles, you get the Microsoft 'Xbox PC' version.

So if you have Xbox play anywhere games or those games are on Game Pass for PC, you can download and play because its part of the same 'ecosystem' if a slightly different version (as in its built for Windows PC's, not the Xbox Console). It's like getting the Series S or XB1 version if you play on that hardware instead of a Series X because the Series X version isn't 'optimised' for that hardware.

Because MS only merged their Xbox into Windows a decade ago and made 'Xbox' their entire Gaming brand - not just the Console, its not surprising 'legacy' games from before that are less likely to be play anywhere and many aren't even Back Compat with Series Hardware. Just like on a standard Windows PC, you can't play your Xbox console version of those games. However, you can stream Xbox games because of Stream your Own games, Game Pass Cloud streaming and of course Remote Play - if they weren't 'Play Anywhere' or not on Game Pass PC to download.

However, you also can 're-buy' most, if not all the Xbox games from the multitude of retailers - MS, Steam, Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc. Just like you'd have to buy again if you jumped to a Steamdeck or any other Handheld PC, windows laptop/desktops etc. The cheapest option of course is to Stream if you already 'own' those games, but you also have the option to play via Emulation and a LOT of old Console games from the 360/PS3 era backwards are on PC via emulation. More old Xbox games are playable that way than on a Series S/X via Backwards Compatibility.

You don't expect to play ALL your entire Xbox Library if you decide to move to a Gaming PC - inc the handhelds. The Only difference between this and other PC's is that MS have worked on Windows 1 with the Xbox team so that these more 'power limited' devices are better optimised for Gaming than running the full Windows 11 OS as all other Handhelds currently are. Its the Microsoft PC Xbox app UI essentially with a 'Optimised' Windows 11 OS designed for Controller input (unlike Windows) - but you can easily switch on the full Windows desktop if you choose - its NOT a Xbox Console, its an Xbox PC and plays the PC versions of games.

You can download or stream games like Indiana Jones or Starfield because they are Play Anywhere and on Game Pass and its all Microsoft owned platforms. Steam is Valve so you need to buy from Valve to play on their Platform regardless of hardware style. you can buy games from Steam, Epic, MS etc to play 'natively' on PC if a PC version ever released but if you don't want to 're-buy' and its not a Play Anywhere or Game Pass PC title, then you can stream from server or console to save having to re-buy a PC version.

I don't know how else to explain that this is still a Full PC, but Microsoft have 'Xbox' on PC, their own PC Platform with Windows/DirectX, their own Customers (Sony use Steam/Epic platform on PC and you won't get Spider-Man free on PC by buying it on PS. This is Microsoft trying to make their Windows 11 OS be much more efficient and suited for Gaming Handhelds than them making a Handheld console locked to 'Xbox'

It's what I was expecting - although I see a LOT of discourse online about the fact that it 'streams' your Xbox 'Console ONLY' games and so I've seen comments saying this is just a more expensive PS Portal or why not just buy a Steamdeck...

It seems many haven't really understood that this is a PC - albeit with a Xbox App 'boot' screen that turns off some Windows 11 processes to be more 'optimised' for gaming. You can't play your ENTIRE Xbox Library on any PC so why expect to on this? You can't play ANY of your Xbox Library on a steamdeck (out of the Box anyway).

Just because you don't get a 'PC' version or can't download via Game Pass for PC, doesn't mean you can't play those games at all - you can stream from a server in the cloud (Stream your Own games if available with that title) or from your Console (remote play - the ONLY option on a PS portal). Those are the cheapest option, but if you really want to play a game but NOT stream it, you also have another option - buy it again from any of the PC retailers inc MS, Steam, Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc. I'm sure that over 95% of the games on Xbox have a PC version.

Not only that, you can't play games like Spider-man, God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn etc on your Xbox but can on an Xbox PC.

This is still a 'full' Windows 11 PC - no different from a Desktop or gaming Laptop. The 'only' difference is that instead of loading up the full Windows 11 on boot up, you boot into the Xbox App with numerous Windows 11 processes turned off by default to optimise specifically for 'gaming'. However, you can easily turn those processes on and open the full windows desktop.

Unlike a Steamdeck or dedicated Xbox/Playstation/Switch handheld, this is NOT a locked platform out of the box. Steamdeck maybe able to install windows to get Game Pass and Play Anywhere games, its not the 'default' .

As for price, even the X isn't that 'unreasonable' for a Gaming PC that isn't subsidised and locked to a single store, for a device that isn't locking content and Social gaming behind a Subscription pay wall. A Series X costs £500, requires you to own/buy a display to plug into it, requires at least a £60 a year Sub fee to play online and with friends, to play the FULL library of games/modes etc. So if you own a Series X for 6yrs, paying for Game Pass Core only just for Online gaming, that's £860. Yet if you buy a Handheld PC, its a Complete device (no display required), never have to pay for online access to play with friends and because there isn't a monopoly on store fronts, can also shop around to get the best prices on games...

@Ricky-Spanish As I said, I think its the 'best' Halo game that 343 hasactually made. Its the closest to that OG Halo experience, that first time you land on the planet and get to explore. Its not quite as varied in terms of environments, but the game-play loop is more varied and the big spaces aren't as lifeless or devoid of activities.

So from my perspective, I'd be OK if they took Halo:Infinite and 'expanded' it so it wasn't ALL on the same planet to add more Biome diversity. I felt a LOT of the Story Missions were extremely Linear and very reminiscent of traditional Bungie Campaigns. There are still all those corridors that lead into enclosed but big areas you need to clear and/or complete objectives - similar to the Library or even the opening Ship mission in Halo:CE.

So from my perspective, this is the 'closest' to a Traditional Halo campaign from 343i. I'd be OK if they gave us another Halo with that same more 'wide-linear' approach, filled those areas with numerous other activities. I would prefer more biomes but I think its the most Halo game 343i have made.

I couldn't care less about Halo MP myself. I did try H:I, but maybe only played a few matches to see if things had changed, but there are so many other FPS games I prefer to play their MP modes.

I don't think Halo will ever be as 'groundbreaking' as it felt back in the OG Xbox days and even in the 'early' 360 days, it was the 'king' but then Call of Duty, Battlefield, Medal of Honour and numerous other FPS games have arrived. I don't want a 'OG' era Halo as that is extremely dated. Halo:CE on the MCC is not a 'good' game by modern standards and if they released Halo today (for the first time), it would be a FLOP.

I really don't want a dated Halo game, I want them to evolve, to innovate, to take inspiration from other games that 'rebooted' because their 'old' formula is extremely dated. I don't think Tomb Raider would have been a success if they told that story in a very linear and 'traditional' Tomb Raider style. I don't really think God of War would have succeeded if they had kept the same old game-play loop. I really want Halo to 'evolve' but still keep the Lore, the iconic weaponry and enemies, Master Chief focused and of course iconic elements of 'Halo' but much more modern, gritty and that extends to the Story too.

Gears isn't the same under the Coalition, they have taken the 'grit', the War, the brutality and darkness that backdrop of War delivers. But it seems that Different Devs from the OG creators will never have ALL the pieces that OG fans may expect because they want to make 'their' game and/or change a 'piece' or two to try and appeal to a wider audience or 'improve' upon an existing system - Uncharted for example got much wider and larger 'open' areas than being very linear like the first and Far Cry is not the same game today as the first was - not by a LONG way. GTA isn't the same now - that was a completely different game to play so after decades, as Halo is, I really do think it needs 'rebooting' more than it needs to go back to 'traditional' because I think if they did that, it would 'flop' in todays market, it would seem 'very' dated and extremely 'limited' - even if it is a Graphical showcase.

@nomither6 Yeah - AI team-mates can be extremely frustrating. I didn't find Gears 3 as much of an issue as the first. It seemed no matter what instruction I tried to give, He would always roadie rush the Boss or get his head taken off by Krill. I tried to command him to stay back or go back behind cover but no matter what I tried, it was the bad AI that caused me to fail time and time again.

Resident Evil 5 was another bad AI companion game, the amount of times I failed because the AI was so bad it was ridiculous. Give them a decent gun, but don't take away the pistol, they'll only use the pistol. Need them to walk around a box on a conveyor belt, they can't...

Few games have ever really frustrated me with AI companions - but Gears of War 'end boss' and numerous sequences in RE5 that really annoyed me. I had no issue completing every Gears of War 'Solo' and on my first playthrough - I hate playing 'co-op' until I've already beaten the game Solo as I have my 'own' agenda (explore everywhere, collect everything, take my time, listen to all dialogue etc and get very annoyed if others talk during any dialogue or rush ahead, rush from objective to objective, skip cut scenes etc. Therefoe I like to beat a game Solo before I will play co-op, but Gears was the ONLY game I beat co-op because it was frustrating me too much trying to beat it Solo. I think I've only managed once since beating it, but still had to revive my AI companion multile times and felt he was more a liability than a help.

I guess I didn't beat 2 or 3 on 'Insane' difficulty, I don't play on the easiest modes, but with AI controlling and its an instant fail if they die, I don't feel its worth even trying. I wouldn't want to carry 'Noobs' through a Gears campaign on Hard Difficulty, let alone insane, but Noobs at least tend to play 'better' than AI.

If anything, the AI in these 'old' games is one area I really think they need to 'update' and improve.

I actually haven't completed it that many times 'solo' because of the AI controlling your partner in the 'final' Boss fight. That invariably led to him making some stupid play, going down very easily or even being outright killed - thus ending any opportunity for me to beat the game.

The first time I beat it was when I invited my Son to play 'co-op' and beat the game easily and then went on to beat the game multiple times at various difficulty settings. I don't know how many times in total I've beaten it, but I'd imagine its somewhere between 5-10 times now which for me is quite a LOT as I tend not to bother playing games that I have beaten, that I know how the game ends. I tend to gravitate more to unfinished games I want to finish before I'll consider replaying. Some of those are the 2nd (remastered) version, otherwise it would likely be less than 5x.

I don't even know if I'll bother playing the Reloaded version - even though I got a Free code for it and have it pre-installed. I still remember the majority of the story and game-play moments so don't need to keep playing to find out what comes next...

@Ricky-Spanish My favourite Halo's are probably 2 or 3. I wasn't that enamoured by Reach or ODST and felt (maybe wrongly) that Bungie weren't really interested in making Halo but made these under Obligation. Both perhaps were good MP games, but I've never liked Halo's MP Combat and Reach of course had Forge which I think is what really made that game much more popular.

I have only played Halo for its Single Player Campaigns. To me, Multi-player was a 'bonus' add-on to try and sell Gold subscriptions and just too 'old school arena' style and floaty for my taste.

I prefer the more 'Far Cry' approach because it at least fills those zones with things to find, things to do etc. Halo:CE had wide Linearity but maybe you'd come across a small group of enemies, but more often than not, the world felt more deserted and less rewarding to go off the 'quickest' path to the next Objective. Now, you'll find things to do and/or fight

@Valhura Maybe in your opinion, but I'd rather play H:I than Halo:CE, Halo 4 or 5, as well as ODST and Reach. Halo 5 had copy/paste boss fights and the worst Halo Campaign of ALL time in my Opinion. It was so bad, I thought that the devs had NO idea what a Halo game is - H:I is much closer to the Original trilogy era Halo than ANY 343 era Halo game and definitely the best from 343i to date - not saying much I know as Bungie's 2 & 3 are far superior...

@Ricky-Spanish I disagree - I enjoyed the Halo:Infinite Campaign - I completed everything there was to do including collecting all the Skulls and think the Story and game-play loop was far more engaging than Halo 5 or even Halo 4. Halo 4 'looked' very impressive for its time, but was very brief and left me unsatisfied. Halo 5 felt more like a poor 'spin-off' than a Main Halo game with very repetitive boss fights.

Halo: Infinite reminded me a LOT of the first real mission in Halo:CE when you reach the Planet. That much more 'open' (even if Linear) story, the freedom to explore the vast area and tackle objectives in any order etc felt more 'rewarding' in H:I because the area wasn't as empty or devoid of things to find, enemies to fight etc.

Of course each to their own, but my biggest complaint with Halo was the time it took to release, the 'misleading' in-game trailers that led us to believe it would be a 'next gen' visual treat, instead it probably looked more like a 360 era game remastered and it lacked basic features that were promised - co-op, forge etc. Then when it did release, they couldn't deliver Content quick enough and/or get those promised features out - co-op I believe cancelled. Forge is there now and by all accounts, the MP is a lot of fun today, but I don't enjoy Halo's MP.

I also prefer the newer Tomb Raider's with their more Open design and RPG mechanics than the more linear and 'traditional' design. I see Halo trying to 'evolve' to compete with modern Single Player Campaigns as a 4-5hr 'Linear' story doesn't tend to go down well with the majority - although I do know a portion of the market would prefer 'short' campaigns due to their time limitations...

It's great that they are opening up to allow more 3rd Party Retailers & Games. Ofcourse you normally sign into your Xbox/Windows on boot-up and this is set up primarily for Microsoft and their Ecosystem, but unlike consoles, you can load up 3rd Party Apps/platforms .

What you have to remember is that this is Microsofts UI and OS. Whilst it maybe able to see what games you have installed and show them in the 'Xbox' app, that doesn't mean you'll see all the steam games you haven't installed and can't manage your steam accounts/games without loading up Steam & signing in.

All the 'coming soon', ready to install,, or other games not installed but displayed, all link to MS/Xbox Store versions - not Steam. If you want to compare prices, you have to load up steam and search for the game because you are on a 'Xbox/Windows' UI/OS not Steam etc to have access to that account and stored Lbrary.

You need to load up steam or whatever other gaming apps you have to browse their library, buy games and install them but once installed, can be accessed through the Xbox UI. Its possible to have multiple 'versions' of the same game - Indy (MS PC & Steam), each with its own save status/progression.

@FEmblemFan Onefactor you are NOT considering is that a PC is an upfront cost but consoles require a Subscription for full functionality and ability to play all games/modes etc. Without Game Pass Core/PS+, you have a more limited gaming experience.

Even if its just £5 a month, that's £60 a year or an additional £300 over 5yrs - however, it can cost more than that if you just buy a month at a time. There is no charge for these on PC.

So lets look at the cost of a Series X/PS5 or even a PS5 Pro + 5yrs of PS+/Game Pass Core and the cost of these PC Handhelds. I think Nintendo Switch requires a Nintendo Online Subscription too (although I haven't owned a Nintendo since the Wii to know for sure) but without these Subs you can't play some games and others have the bulk of content behind that paywall.

If I spend £900 on a RoG Xbox Ally X for example, I don't have to spend any money at all to play games online, to play with friends etc. Buy a Series X for £500 + £60 a year for 6-7yrs and it will cost about the same. A PS5 Pro is £700 and so just 4yrs of PS+ would make it more expensive.

There are more 'costs' involved with gaming on Console compared to PC but the Hardware is cheaper as its subsidised by Subscriptions and a Monopoly on the Digital store. The initial outlay on PC maybe a bit higer, but services and games are generally cheaper as well as the multitude of choice of retailers too...

@kmtrain83 all I wassaying is that both devices have a1080p screen but neither will likely target a full 1080p in the newest AAA games. Like the Series S 'targets' 1440p where the X targets 4k, hat doesn't mean either will play EVERY game at those resolutions. The same goes for Switch but as these devices should have NO issue playing older games at the full 1080p. All have the same Screen so it just comes down how well they each run the games and I doubt the Switch 2 will run games at 'higher' res than these - although soon we'll have Indiana Jones to compare on Switch 2 and these Handhelds.

The cheaper handheld is like the Series S so targeting lower res. The X is like the Series X - offers a bit more power and features, but at a premium price. The more affordable model is expected, like the Series S, to be the more popular choice because its more affordable but can't match the 'X' version. The Switch 2 has a 1080p screen but I doubt you'll be getting more than 720p from Indy for example.

Screen resolution and the Resolution a game runs at are two different things. As they all have a 1080p screen but different Hardware inside, that will lead to differences in the quality of the Graphics.

@Millionski The New Chip is NOT basically the same - its the next Gen with an AI NPU built in - something the previous 'X' did not. It also has a lot more material and FULL Size controls, rumble built into the triggers and its also a Licenced product too so split revenue.

We have also seen that hardware isn't getting 'cheaper' as all the other costs rise - the cost of raw materials, the cost of the manufacturing process (higher electric or fuel costs), higher wages, higher overheads, higher shipping costs etc etc which increases faster than they can 'reduce' costs.

One way was to reduce the Chip size - going from 90nm to 45nm is a BIG saving in size, but if you already use 4nm, there isn't much scope to reduce the chip size, which in turn helps reduce the power requirements and heat/cooling needs. That's why you saw 'Slim' console come out 'cheaper' - because they could shrink things down to use far less raw materials so costs reduced.

You aren't going to see 'dramatic' chip size changes so they cannot 'reduce' the cost but because Silicon is 'high demand' and costs rising, that year old+ chip is more expensive to produce than it was - there 'profit' margin shrinks and shrinks until they lose money or raise prices.

The Ally X has a Z1 Extreme chip - the exact same chip as in the OG RoG Ally. The new Xbox versions both have a Z2 chip - the base (White) version has AMDs Z2 A processor whilst the X (Black Version) has AMD's AI Z2 A Extreme processor. the Xbox X has double the RAM and Faster too.

I don't really know how much different Z2 is from Z1 but the OG Ally X certainly doesn't have the AI NPU built in.

I can't say f they've managed to build the new Xbox Ally X for a similar cost to the OG X, despite the differences, but it doesn't seem that 'unreasonable' considering the newer Chip, faster RAM, full size controls and 'bigger' form factor (more materials) and of course 'Xbox' Branding/Licencing too!

@kmtrain83 And all the RoG Ally models come with a 1080p 120hz VRR display too. 720p is basically the same as 1440p on a 4k display is and BOTH will upscale to fill the Screen so I still don't understand why you think it will have 'lesser' graphics when it may well be running at higher res and graphical settings than the Switch 2. Both may have a 1080p Screen, the X version may target 1080p whilst the basic Xbox Ally is targeting 720p but Switch 2 (in handheld mode) is 600p and lower graphical settings, its certainly not going to look 'better' on their 1080p screen.

@GeeEssEff I don't think the 'Nextbox' will appeal to a Steam player just because it has access to steam. Its also a Microsoft Branded device with emphasis on the Microsoft ecosystem and I bet that if Asus, Lenovo, MSi etc are making Xbox branded devices, they'll also have more Generic equivalents without the Xbox License for similar, if not 'less' money as they aren't paying for the Xbox branding.

Why can't Asus make a 'Console' like Form Factor PC or even a Steam OS based 'console' with similar specs? Why buy an 'Xbox RoG Ally' when Lenovo may offer a Steam based PC so get the Steam optimisation/verification in your Steam games more like a Steamdeck - which is what MS will do for Games on their Xbox branded Handheld/consoles. You want the best Steam experience on a Handheld, you buy the Steamdeck or a steam OS Handheld PC.

If people do buy Xbox hardware, buy Xbox games through steam its still making Microsoft money - maybe not as much, but still better than them not buying their Hardware or Software at all. Will make more money off of Xbox branded products if Steam gamers decide that Xbox is the best, most affordable way to play Big Screen on their TV and may well lead to some additional sales of Controllers and games overall.

@BaldB3lper78 Its a PC so can play games that you download - but if you own games that are on your 'Xbox' Console that are NOT Play Anywhere (so never received a PC version), not available on PC or you don't want to 'buy' a PC version of, then you can Stream from a Server - Stream your Own Games OR on Game Pass Cloud or Stream direct from your Console via Remote Play (the same way Playstation Portal works).

It's a 'windows' PC so like a Windows PC, you can download Windows PC games and play Locally - but not all your Xbox Library is Play Anywhere and some may not be on PC at all. As you can't download and play 'Xbox' versions, its only the PC version, you either have to buy the PC version (double dip) if you want to download or hope that its available in Game Pass for PC.

Streaming just means that you can play games you already own without needing to 'rebuy' for that hardware, a way to play your existing library of games. You wouldn't expect to get Spider-Man or Uncharted etc on PC just because you bought those games on Playstation - but maybe would stream/remote play them on a Handheld rather than buy again from Steam for example.

I guess it makes sense in a very unstable economic market globally. Some countries maybe a bit more stable than others but can change quickly.

They can't set a price then see some costs going up and up, then have to adjust the price before launch. Pre-order at $900 but due to external issues they had no control over, they have to raise the price to $950+, that's going to be a disaster. It seems that they 'expect' to release at $900, but are not very optimistic that the 'global' market will settle or stabilise to commit to a price despite how close to release it is.

All it takes is for some 'cost' - even just the price of fuel - can impact the Cost to manufacture and Distribute globally. Raw materials go up, as do the cost to ship over the world - and that's just 1 cost, but add rising costs to silicon and other raw materials, to labour and overheads, to advertising/marketing etc etc.

MS got into the Console business because their PC gaming business was so 'niche' and required expensive hardware that prevented the majority from having access - they made the Xbox to bring PC games to a more affordable market AND make Windows/DX12 a 'standard' that Devs had to adopt to make/release games on their console. 25years later and you don't need a £2k PC to play Doom, it will play on a $300 console, on a $500 Handheld PC. Gaming PC's, even if they only run games at up to 1080p and 30fps is 'standard' for most games, its still an affordable option that was once only the domain of Subsidised Consoles (although these made their money back by monopolising Digital sales and enforcing a Subscription for the full access and features set of that Hardware.

Most people that will buy an Xbox branded PC or Console is because they have a history and library with that brand and want to be in their 'ecosystem' primarily. If you are mostly a Steam player, well they have Handhelds better suited and 'each' including the Steamdeck can be used to play Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass games too. Why not buy a Lenovo Go or whatever Handheld PC comes with the Steam OS.

Steam games aren't going to be verified for Xbox PC's, like Xbox will verify their games and have 'optimised' for the Xbox Handheld PC games - which also adds another 'reason' to buy from MS on an XBOX branded device - its not just 1 reason but multiple can add-up.

To go back to your Black Myth Dilemma. If you only had an Xbox for the Big Screen and considered getting a Handheld PC for the times you can't use your console but have an opportunity to play, then Play Anywhere becomes far more important right now.

25yrs ago, there was a need to make an 'affordable' Console that could play PC games so MS could bring their games to a much bigger Market as well as bring very PC centric games to Console. 25yrs later, you don't need to spend $2k to play Doom or Fallout, you can play on a $300-500 handheld (Steamdeck or PC). So their 'need' to make affordable hardware, to ensure Windows/DX12 become established gaming standards, to be able to 'sell' their games is unnecessary - not say that they 'won't', but that they don't really need to as they have the 'Software' OS and API's that are required to play their games. Boot into windows, you've already booted into Xbox...

@Fiendish-Beaver MS will likely 'leave' the Console space in the near future - if not this gen, next. However, I still think they'll have Xbox branded Hardware available - even if they don't have their own. Surface continues despite the fact that there are numerous third party hardware that do the same thing - sometimes 'cheaper' too for similar specs. But MS still continue to make Hardware and their Controller is arguably one of the most popular too. They make Headsets as well, but have a LOT of Competition.

Point is, MS may well make their own 'Xbox' hardware - which could become more an Xbox PC than Xbox Console even if it has a console like UI and form factor. MS will likely count the RoG Xbox Ally as part of their 'Hardware' and will make money (due to the Xbox Licencing and trademarks - let alone their OS and licence that every customer 'buys' (included in the price).

They don't necessarily 'need' their own Console - just need to attract people to 'their' platform (whether on Cloud, PC). With affordable PC's, they may not be able to 'compete' as all the Xbox games release on PC anyway. Why spend $500+ on a Console and another $400 on 5yrs+ of Subs to play online and that doesn't have any 'exclusives' when they can buy a PC that plays all of Xbox as well as some of Playstation games and thousands of other games too for around the same cost - if not less.

Series S/X haven't flown off the shelf this gen and a LOT of PC gamers aren't buying a Xbox Console to play Console versions of the games they play on PC. PC gamers have NO reason to buy Xbox today so why is that going to change next gen? Why will steam be that detrimental when PC gamers have exactly that same choice - yet Game Pass and their PC base are showing more growth than Console.

Cross-play is good - but its not the same. In Call of Duty, I have friends on PC/PS hardware linked to my CoD friends - but unless they actually play CoD at the SAME time, I have no idea if they are even online. They could be playing something but I can't invite them to play CoD because it shows them as not 'online' in CoD. Of course if they do decide to play CoD, then I can see them in my CoD friends list to invite, but until then, you don't know who is online and/or playing the games you play together.

Yes its 'better' than it was, but you also have some that choose to turn Cross-play off because of all the Cheaters on Steam (and yes Steam is the preferred platform due to how easy it is to create many accounts with the same phone number/email address to get round the Cheating bans) particularly or PC in general as its much easier to cheat, to Mod games to your advantage....

@Fiendish-Beaver All I meant was that pre-orders can go live a week before release for example so EVERYONE has the SAME opportunity to pre-order to get their device on Day 1.

It doesn't matter if pre-orders go live 20days or 60days 'before' day 1, as you still have exactly the same opportunity to get the device on October 16th. As long as they notify us when 'pre-orders' are due to go live, it really doesn't matter if its 1 week, 1 month or 1 year in advance, you still can't get it before the Day 1 release.

Its no different from waiting for Shops to open to be first in line on Day 1 or first in line to 'pre-order' the day they go live. No point worrying about stock limits when NO-ONE can pre-order yet, when its still weeks away from being available to 'buy'! Pre-orders tend to ensure you'll get the device on Day 1 where turning up to buy maybe won't be successful. Pre-orders don't get the 'device' before Day 1 so you'll still have to wait. Pre-ordering - even a 'week' before isn't leaving things to last minute...

@Fiendish-Beaver well you can't secure a 'pre-order' until they go live and won't get any 'sooner' than Oct - therefore it doesn't really matter if pre-orders only go live a week before release as 'everyone' has the same opportunity to pre-order that day as they do if pre-orders went live today.

Regardless of what day they do go live, that still doesn't mean you'll not be disappointed if Demand exceeds Supply, if you aren't 'lucky' to get one with your preferred retailer, due to demand and/or queueing etc. People didn't get their Day 1 Series/Playstation consoles because 'pre-orders' sold out extremely quickly...

I'm looking forward to getting my RoG Xbox Ally X when it releases in October.

@Fiendish-Beaver All I was saying is that if you are coming from 'Xbox' into PC, then chances are you have NO library or History with Steam. They won't have friends, achievements or a Library and see Steam as an option to play games they never could on Xbox.

The point I'm trying to make is that Xbox branded products are more to attract Xbox Console gamers onto the PC. Its not about attracting Steam owners to buy 'Xbox' branded products - unless they want to get Game Pass to play New releases, like CoD, Fallout, Doom etc Games they'd usually buy on Steam. Steam gamers maybe better off with a 'different' PC Handheld or steamdeck, one that runs Valve's OS instead of a Microsoft Windows/Xbox OS.

Most 'Xbox' gamers aren't buying Xbox games on ANY platform as they play via Game Pass and then if they do decide to 'keep', will be much more likely to buy the Xbox version. Steam will likely be for those 'few' games they can't play on Xbox because they had NO history/experience on Steam and this is their 'introduction'...

@GeeEssEff I never said it would be a 'Major' reason but it, along with Achievements, Friends list, Game Pass and Game Pass Subscriber discounts, convenience etc. Play Anywhere only benefits gamers who do play over multiple 'different' devices - maybe switch back and forth between a 'Console' and PC. But if you only play on the one Hardware then play Anywhere is pointless to you.

It - along with other features/reasons add-up too. Maybe Play Anywhere isn't a major reason but your friends and Achievements are - Play Anywhere is just another bonus on top. Its an 'advantage' if you play on BOTH Xbox and PC and want cross-progression and/or don't want to buy it twice.

@kmtrain83 How can you say it has 'lesser' graphics than the Switch 2 when the Switch 2 doesn't have many of the same games. I don't think Indiana Jones when that releases on Switch 2 will look/run better.

Switch 2 is locked to Nintendo so Only games Nintendo are willing to have released on their Hardware, their own games too make up a decent chunk, but most AAA games won't release on Switch 2, at least not the same day as PC. PC also has a much larger Library and the vast majority will run very well because they were built to run on older hardware. In terms of Cost/library size, the Switch 2 is far more expensive.

That 'difference' in cost is negligible if not worth paying if you want to play modern AAA games as not all will release on Switch 2, let alone day/date. You may have to wait a year for a dedicated port.

I'm not saying you shouldn't consider a Switch 2, but its not the same thing. Switch 2 maybe cheaper, but requires a Sub fee for certain features/games so ends up costing more over time for the 'full' functionality/features and playable games (some games require a Sub to play) but PC's don't so could work out cheaper over time!

@Fiendish-Beaver Black Myth Wukong is NOT a new game - even if it is 'new' for Xbox. That's like me saying AoE4 is cheaper on Xbox than it is to pre-order on PS5 because its not 'New' on the Xbox Platform. They aren't selling a year old game at Day 1 prices anymore...

Black Myth doesn't need to be 'on sale' specifically, its had a price reduction now its not a New release so its cheaper. Its likely cheaper on PS5 too now/

I know that PC is 'generally' cheaper and of course never need to pay for Online - which I think is the bigger point. You won't buy Call of Duty or whatever other Online based game on Xbox when buying on Steam will not require a Subscription fee adding another £60+ to the cost to play for a year. I made that point earlier, but I can see MS dropping that charge for that very reason - unless they insist that Steam App requires Online to access.

Some games they probably can save - but that's where Consumer choice is actually permitted, its not 'anti-consumer' unlike the Current way Consoles are structured. EU law may well dictate that Platform holders cannot have a 'monopoly' on their Hardware - that they have to offer 'alternatives' for Consumers. But that doesn't mean that Microsoft won't 'compete' or have some features or benefits to buying from them that Xbox gamers expect/want - things like Achievements and building up their score can be enough for SOME.

For MOST buying an Xbox Console//PC, its because they are invested in the Xbox ecosystem, not Steam. They probably have NO steam games due to being strictly Console based so Steam is more 'supplemental' to play the 'few' games that they want to play but haven't (yet) released o their Hardware. Its more a way to get 'Playstation' games on their Hardware when Sony refuse to release on ANY MS platform.

Yes of course if Sony do bring 'Spider-Man' or Uncharted to Xbox (after all, these are now Multi-plat), then those games will be expensive, the 'Day 1' price as its Day 1 for that hardware - but old on Steam/PS platforms so 'cheap' - even if not on sale!

@Dimey Having gone through the list, my point still stands. The majority, if not ALL Xbox First Party games released since they introduced Play Anywhere a decade ago - and I mean the games they actually published, not the games they acquired after release - like Doom: Eternal for example, are Play Anywhere. If you chose to buy on Disc, you chose not to buy a 'Play Anywhere' version but all the Xbox releases had Play Anywhere if you chose to buy Digitally!

ALL your Xbox games are still playable on these Handheld PC's - either by Streaming from a Server or directly from your Console via Remote Play - the ONLY way you can play Playstation games on the go at all is via Remote Play.

Microsoft have NO control over 3rd Party Publishers/Devs to ensure that they too offer Play Anywhere but as a Publisher and the Platform holder, they obviously support their own feature, unless it doesn't release on both...

From my research Halo MCC is not - but released before 'Play Anywhere' was introduced as were many Xbox first Party releases, Forza Motorsport 7 and Gears 5 (although the MP component is Play Anywhere)

@Fiendish-Beaver It's never as high as £30 for a brand new AAA game - maybe in a sale it is, but then sometimes in a sale, I can find some games cheaper on Xbox than on PS5 by more than £30 and vice versa.

The point is that most people WON'T go to check if some game is cheaper on Steam - especially not those invested in the 'Xbox' ecosystem and have all their Friends, Achievements etc on Xbox. They aren't buying a Steamdeck, its an 'Xbox' that also lets you open up a Steam App and play Steam games. But with Game Pass and ALL your Xbox/PC games to play, most will 'buy' from Xbox and maybe only buy a few games Xbox doesn't offer (like Spider-Man or Last of Us) to play - its additional/supplemental to their Big Screen gaming and want it to 'carry on' playing on their Console or whatever device without losing progression, without needing to buy a 'different' version, that freedom to play where they want and take their 'Xbox' experience with them...

All of Xbox games will be on Game Pass and promoted on their OS/UI you sign into on Launch!! You have to really want to buy from Steam over Xbox to do so which makes it more 'inconvenient' for the majority. If you want a Steam Handheld buy the Steamdeck - you may not have access to GoG or other retailer selling 'steam keys' on your 'Xbox branded' device - locked to the 'steam' app on that device which may not have the SAME pricing on Xbox branded products - like Apple Apps because its 'their' product...

@Kaloudz Its not a 'bad' thing as such, its more about what the Hardware is being used for - if its just for pushing out more frames per second at the highest resolution and settings, then its likely easy to scale down to weaker hardware - it just depends on whether its 'worth' it it terms of sales because it still costs them money. If it won't make enough back, its not worth doing and 'last gen' is often a 'shrinking' market too.

Of course with newer hardware becoming Popular, you also saw numerous ports of games that required more 'work' than tweaking a few settings to lower res, frame rate caps and gmuch lower graphical quality settings, some requiring bespoke settings or even tweaks to the game itself to reduce Graphical load to run - but often release much later and handled by a specialist Developer to bring that game to such 'weak' Hardware it was never built/designed for - some of the Miracle Switch Ports for example.

Point is, it really depends on the Game, its design and/or reliance on features that only certain Gen Hardware can offer - but with Current Gen games targeting 4k and 60 fps as a minimum and Medium/high quality settings, 1080/30 or even 720/30 with low/medium settings could be possible on last gen hardware - so it comes down to whether or not enough will buy to make it worth releasing more than a 'technical' reasonas to whether or not it does release - some also 'try' just to maximise their sales/reach when the sacrifices to get it running are far too much for gamers to accept...

Point is, When you can do 'Everything' on Current gen, next gen hardware only ever iterates on it, does it better, faster, prettier etc so can be scaled down. If it relies on some built in feature that only newer hardware offers like SSD or some RT/AI Processing Cores, then it becomes an issue to release on older systems...

The first one was supposed to release 'Day 1' on Xbox too but until it does, there is still a LOT of time (in gaming terms) when a few months is quite some time.

Of course they may have learned from developing their first game and what these Consoles are capable (or not) of doing. They may design the game differently, cut out a feature that proved problematic on Series S for example and/or design areas knowing what 'budget' they have to stick to for a successful port. It could be a LOT smoother this time around...

Then again, maybe next gen hardware is out and its only releasing on that era if it takes them quite a few years and a few delays to get to release.

Its too far away and too many things can happen, it may 'never' release at all due to some circumstances or be here before we thought possible for a AAA game in this day and age. Until its released, this will just be 'project', a 'future' game but right now, 'nothing' to me right now. Until its 'due out' next or at least in the next month or two, It's not a 'Game', a Product for a Gamer to worry or get excited about.

@Fiendish-Beaver There has been hands-on with the RoG Ally Xbox X and of course there is the Early Access on PC thing too which had Spider-Man on an 'Xbox' based App/UI - again that App/UI only linked games INSTALLED to that Hardware, not their entire Steam Library. To get Spider-man to show up, they had to open up the Steam app, go to their Library (or search for the Game) and Download it to Hardware. Then when the Xbox App or you Boot up your 'Xbox' Ally (not to Windows but to the Xbox PC UI, it will now show Spider-Man.

The Home Screen is basically Microsofts Home Screen - you sign into your Xbox/MS account on Boot up. That's where you see your 'installed' games to play, but you are in your Xbox account not Steam!!

Yes you can open up Steam and manage your library, buy games etc. As someone with over 700 Steam games, you'd have to go to the App Section (same as you would for Netflix or Amazon Prime or whatever other Media Apps Xbox allows) and open up Steam, sign into your steam account and go to your Library and install the games you want to play.

That's the point I'm trying to make here - Steam is more like an App that you have to go to, have to load into to even see that Library of games you own. You can't see those from your Xbox UI/Dashboard but your UI/Dashboard can detect what games and from which platform they are for installed onto your Storage - that's why they appear on your 'Home' Screen - then you can tab to Xbox Library and Game Pass Library, and them whatever Steam games installed Library then 'apps' like Steam, Netflix whatever to access 'other' media suppliers inc 'Games' - unlike Current Xbox.

The Question comes as to whether or not the 'next' Console will be locked - although have 3rd Party Apps, Can't boot into full Windows like a PC for example and go to some 3rd Party retailer not on their list (GoG. games didn't show in the PC 'app' version - but I don't know if anyone tried on the RoG due to not installing their GoG games onto a 'test' device they don't own.

Anyway, I think I've explained now that this isn't a 'PC' - its an Xbox PC not running the Full Windows Desktop, but an Xbox/Windows team version that enables you to play Windows PC games but without the 'bloat or versatility of 'Windows 11'.

@Kaloudz As they've probably not long started development - this was just an announcement of their next game they are going to be working on, it may not even release on 'Series' Hardware (even if it does get a PS5 release) because the next Gen Hardware will be out and/or not enough 'Series' gamers to port down and do all the 'extra' scaling work (as series X and PS5 would be similarly scaled) for Series S, extra optimisations and/or actual game tweaks to get it running at a level they are happy with.

They could also have learned a LOT from the experience and maybe drop some feature and design the game slightly differently because they will be releasing on Xbox and now have a much better understanding of the Series S hardware.

At this point, its so far off in the future, I couldn't care less about it. As a game, let alone a 'product' it doesn't exist yet and for us gamers won't exist until we can buy it. So much can happen between now and then, so in the mean time, I'm focussed on the next few months as those Games are almost certain to release and I have seen or heard enough to know I'll be playing. Anything outside the next few months is just one big jumble of titles that are all 'future' games I'm interested in but won't waste any 'thought' on until they are nearly out.

I don't feel like I've lost Perfect Dark or Everwild as I never had them to begin with, never had any hands on time with. Yes I may have been interested in the concept or IP but it wasn't a Complete game that I (or any real gamer) would want to play and was deemed too 'costly' and/or not worth continuing to get into a Final Product for me to Play. I'd rather that than they Try to rush what they do have to Market in as 'Polished' a state as possible or keep piling money into it and its still just a 'mediocre' or very 'niche' Product that will 'never' justify its cost.

@Weebleman Considering the Series S outsells the Series X, it would indicate that the 'majority' were more concerned about Cost than 'graphics' or 'Frame Rates' - just happy they can at least play the games they want.

The point is that it will sell and therefore increase the 'reach' of the Xbox brand. It may well be a 'PC' but its also much of a Collaboration with Microsoft. The OS is designed/built by MS - not a 'generic' Windows PC boot up, but a dedicated 'Windows Xbox' Boot that both MS's windows and Xbox teams created.

And yes you can play 'Xbox' games on it as Xbox games are pretty much ALL Play Anywhere and/or on Game Pass too to Download/install. Your Save and progress carries across. Yes a lot of 3rd Party Published Xbox games don't support Play Anywhere or not on Game Pass, but they aren't 'Xbox' games, they are Not owned, published or controlled by MS. Certainly games released in the last decade by Microsoft - since they introduced Play Anywhere.

You can play EVERY Xbox game you owned on your Device though via Streaming with Remote Play - exactly the same as Sony's PS Portal offers. So even if you can't play a specific game Natively, you can still play via Streaming - either from a server (Stream your Own Games) or directly from your Console with Remote Play.

Streaming may not be as 'ideal' as Local play, but its better than nothing and can be better than playing 'locally' on that Systems Hardware - the hardware too weak to run it at 720/30, yet you get 1080/60 when streaming...

The 'cheaper' Xbox Ally still offers the same Library and options to access the SAME games. You are only paying more for slightly better visuals/frame rates and/or minor differences like storage capacity and rumble triggers. The same as the PS5 vs PS5 Pro, PS4vs PS4 Pro, XB1S vs XB1X, Series S vs Series, the 'more' powerful and more expensive Hardware isn't as popular as the cheaper and many never bothered upgrading for more frames, more resolution etc. The more expensive versions are for the 'dedicated' Gamer that not only has the funds, but willing to spend it on their 'leisure' activity whilst the cheaper is the more affordable, more accessible option for the Majority who are happy just to be able to play the latest games on a dedicated Handheld, maybe don't expect to get enough usage out of to justify spending more on it etc...

@Fiendish-Beaver I was referring to the XBOX based Windows PC/Xbox Consoles - Steam May well be ACCESSIBLE - but it ONLY collects the games INSTALLED in to your Library. That's what the NEW RoG Ally Xbox PC does so why expect the NEXT Xbox to be different

The 'more' Generic PC's may well be 'different' with their full Windows boot up, BUT the NEW Xbox Ally Dashboard doesn't link to ANY Steam Games that are NOT installed in your Library on Boot up, the ones you can instantly Access to start playing (like on a Console) are just the 'installed' games. Steam is a separate Platform and must be loaded into before you can buy or install your 'owned' games through the MICROSOFT Dashboard/UI. You won't see 'Spider-man' in any tabs on the UI/Dashboard unless you've already gone to Steam, opened it up, purchased it and installed it - otherwise, you won't see it at all.

Whilst Steam may have a Handheld, it doesn't let you play on devices you may already own - like mobiles, TV's etc that Streaming allows. You want specifically curated experiences for the 'Xbox' branded Hardware that you won't get on Steam, just the generic PC version, won't get Play Anywhere in the Xbox ecosystem which is Cloud, PC and Console.

MS could have a '2 tier' next gen system - their Cheaper 'S' may not offer 'Steam' or other PC retailers - be more a 'traditional' Console sold Cheap but locked to MS with their 'X' being more a Console/PC hybrid, offering Curated Console versions tailored and Optimised for their 'S/X' hardware but the X also plays 'PC' games.

The User Interface on the Xbox Ally X isn't 'Windows' - its a Xbox Windows 'Hybrid' designed by Microsoft and Collects 'installed' games regardless of whether they are Xbox or Steam for 'instant' access - just like you do from the 'home' screen on Xbox - but your Steam Library of 'owned' games not installed can't be 'accessed' until you load up steam. However Game Pass Games, Xbox/Play Anywhere owned Games and even Microsoft Store games (Advertising new releases, coming soon etc) all link to the Xbox/Microsoft Store from their UI/Dashboard. Its far less Convenient to boot up, see the game on MS store, then decide to boot steam up to buy from them instead.

Unless MS drop the Online Fee for their Online games, I think that Convenience and ease will benefit MS. Of course 'some' may well choose to buy from Steam, but then may sell more 1st party as they go fully multi-platform making far more money than the '30%' they would have got if you bought 3rd Party from them.

If you were paying attention in yesterdays Xbox Podcast, you'd know that they will have 'optimised' versions for their Hardware (inc OEM Xbox branded). Gears has has a RoG Ally X certified version and devs will still 'optimise' games for 'Xbox' Fixed Spec Next Gen hardware. They say they are focussed on their Ecosystem and whilst you maybe able to buy/play from 3rd Partys, doesn't mean they are promoting, advertising, linking (other than 'installed' games) to Steam - they are advertising and promoting their Platform and 'allowing' you to 'access' 3rd Party too.

@Fiendish-Beaver I don't know if that will be the case. Steam games are locked to steam and won't be 'advertised' on Windows or Xbox based dashboards.Xbox also offers Play Anywhere, Game Pass (to play at even lower cost), Achievements etc.

The one thing that I think will make a BIG difference is what MS plan to do with Online/Social gaming charges - the Basic Game Pass Core tier. Why Buy Call of Duty on Xbox when it also forces you buy a Subscription to play Online and with Friends but Steam doesn't - Battlenet doesn't either of Course which is MS owned and maybe as cheap as Steam...

Game Pass is their 'key' platform as it will get people into their Xbox store, all the games are linked to MS store on their Dashboard etc. If you want to check out what steam has, you have to load up Steam specifically and games you own, but haven't installed, won't even show up on your Dashboard - you have to go to steam to download and only once installed, will appear in your Library.

MS are banking on Convenience and their own features (Achievements, Friends list, Libraries, Game Pass, Play Anywhere - and that includes 'Streaming' as Xbox adds more and more games to 'Stream your own'. You won't be able to stream other platform games.

Steam and Xbox/PC don't necessarily share the exact same features despite them being on PC. So in some cases, it may be better for the consumer to buy from a 3rd Party store (Steam for example) but for others, the Xbox/Windows version with Play Anywhere, Achievements etc maybe better for them

@RBRTMNZ That's the law of diminishing returns at play. Its not just 'resolution'' or 'graphics' but actual meaningful technological advances that allow Creators too do 'something' previous creators couldn't.

In the early days, going from 2 to 8 to 32 colours had quite a big impact as did going from simple beeps to synthesised sound/digitised speech were transforming games. Going from 2D sprites to 3D polygons a Game changer.

Now we have hardware that can have 3D Surround Sound as good as any Cinema, now we have billions of colours and much higher Dynamic Range, now we have virtually limitless Polygons and even real-time lighting etc etc - any additional upgrades are literally iterating - allowing for more use with less limitations/restrictions - whether that's to frame rates, resolution or graphical settings.

Point is, you'll never get that 'transformative' completely 'New' experience that ONLY a New Gen System will bring - it will ALWAYS feel like an iteration, a slight upgrade rather than a transformative upgrade because they already have had the technology to create any type of game/experience already. You can't suddenly hear crystal clear, CD quality Audio in a Game for the First time again, or go from only 2D to now having 3D worlds to explore, from Pixels to Polygons etc.

Therefore next gen hardware will be a lot like this gen - same type of games - albeit maybe looking and/or running smoother, less pop-in and/or more Real Time Lighting etc but nothing particularly revolutionary or never been possible before Game-play experiences,

@Millionski Also, if you want to 'boost' the Performance for playing on a big screen, you can buy an external GPU dock that also provide power to the Ally (so you don't need to plug that in as well) and run it at max power mode with boosted GPU resources and/or features too like DLSS for example if you connect to an nVidia GPU.

It's perhaps not worth the cost for many - especially not if they spend MOST of their big screen gaming on dedicated hardware - but you can kind of get the 'Switch' like Extra power boost if you 'dock' into an eGPU and they have HDMI out for connecting to a TVa couple of extra USB slots.

I have a RoG Ally (OG) but find it to uncomfortable and frustrating to use because its too 'small' in the grip and controls, so I'm certainly getting a RoG Xbox Ally X....

Watching some shows live, some after so I can skip through all the stuff I'm not interested in and the rest I'll probably read some articles and watch some trailers on youtube - pretty much the same as every year.

I can't say that many of the games at both Xbox shows really appeal enough that I want to watch the whole thing and I find Geoff Keighley to be annoying so I tend to watch these at least 30mins after they've started so I can skip past all the 'boring' (to me) bits.

@dathip There are a lot of reasons I don't play JRPG's, I think the last one I played was Goemon on the N64. I don't enjoy Zelda anymore either - Ocarina of Time was the last one I played any significant time on.

Anyway the point I was trying to make is that there is bound to be some Game mechanics/systems, Genres or even Graphical design choices you'd rather avoid than play. Those were examples of Mechanics/systems - just like Inst-fail Stealth sections, elevator sections that thankfully are no longer required to hide a loading screen, Games requiring online Only to play, so many reasons that some may choose not to play certain Genres or spend their time in the worlds they created - especially not when there are hundreds, if not thousands of games that do appeal but haven't yet had the time or opportunity to play.

I stopped playing Fighting games before Street Fighter and Tekken came along and never got the appeal when those games came out - never really wanted to 'fight' my friends - more beat them at Goldeneye or ISS64 or MarioKart.

After nearly 50 years of video gaming - ever since Pong became available to UK Homes, followed by Atari and the 80's 'Home Computer' (Sinclair, Commodore, Amstrad...), and every Playstation/Xbox console over the years, I've played pretty much every genre and/or style multiple times - some to know I really won't tolerate anymore - there is NO technological reason for Turn based (I can see why in a 'simulated' card/board game - like gwent, Uno, Poker, Monopoly etc) - just like I accepted 'text based' adventures because 2D sprites moving around a very limited screen space wouldn't work, I accepted that certain design choices, graphical as well as structural were of their time/technology of the Day - I played the Hell out of Dizzy on C64, Goldeneye on N64 too, but don't enjoy certain aspects of them today.

@Valhura Rechargeable battery packs were quite expensive - although they did last a week or more where my DS3's needed recharging everyday or wouldn't last a session.

However AA batteries themselves aren't expensive and a pk of 4 can last a couple of months or more. A pack of 4 AA Rechargeable Batteries are cheaper than a Rechargeable pack and would last a week - but you do need to add on a Charger to the cost. However Rechargeable AA Batteries themselves can still be useful to have around for other devices - although fewer and fewer these days. I used Rechargeable AA's in my Gameboy Colour LOL.

Point is, you have various options available and some are 'very' cheap (no big-brand multi-pack of disposable AA's could last you several years - maybe longer than the Controller lasts LOL) and even with Rechargeable options, you had Official, Licenced and even 3rd Party Rechargeable packs at various cost, as well as AA Rechargeable batteries which were cheaper than even the cheap 3rd Party Packs and more versatile too.

As a consumer, you have the Options and the ability to easily swap Batteries - and whilst I will say Disposable Batteries are the 'worst' idea - just because of the environmental impact if not the long term cost, you can still buy/use Rechargeable AA's - which still provides that 'Rechargeable' aspect to keep the Cost down but not quite as convenient as a Battery Pack that is charged in the Controller itself.

I'd still rather have the choice to swap the Battery for a Charged or fresh one or plug a Cable in to charge and keep playing than have no choice but to play wirelessly. It's better than buying a whole new controller and/or disposing of the old one...

@dathip I don't play any Turn-based video games and wouldn't play WoW (I don't like MMO's either) and certainly wouldn't play ANY Final Fantasy game regardless of whether it has real-time or turn based elements. I wouldn't even play Gwent in Witcher 3 because its a 'turn-based' and a 'card' game. I don't see the point in 'Single' player games at all. I can concede to taking it in turns to play games like Pac-Man or Space Invaders in two-player mode, but I play games to 'play', not select an option from a Menu and wait for things to play out before I select another option.

Cooldowns on 'special' attacks - like say Destiny or even CoD with Field Upgrades are not the same. Many games have some mechanic that requires you to charge some ability or attack before you can use it, but you use it when you want, not because its now your turn.

I want to be immersed and play in real time - as soon as I hear it has any Turn Based mechanics, I'm out, just like I'm out if its a MMO or Fighting game because I don't enjoy those. If I want a good story, I can read a book, watch a movie or play countless games thar have good stories with 'real time' game-play. Want a RPG, well there are numerous options with Real Time action - without Turn based mechanics, without Online and other real players, without looking ridiculous or like a Japanese Game show...

Each to their own, but I'm sure there are certain games or mechanics you really don't enjoy - QTE's or Live Service, Point & Click or Racing Sims for example. I'd rather spend my time playing the thousands of games I do enjoy and ignore the thousands I know that aren't for 'me' but could be 'great' for those that do.

AA Batteries are an awesome option and give people a choice. None of my DS3 (PS3) controllers are actually functional now wirelessly because the Battery is dead and cannot be replaced. All my Xbox 360 controllers still work fine - either with AA or Rechargeable Batteries.

The Advantage of AA batteries (or at least a Battery compartment that AA Batteries will fit in), is that you can easily replace with multiple options. Not only do you have the Disposable AA batteries (least recommended), but you can also buy rechargeable AA Batteries and use them in more devices than 'just' the Controller, but you can also buy Recargeable Battery Packs specifically for the Xbox Controller which makes it no different from a built in Rechargeable battery - just more accessible and easier to replace for a Consumer.

As I said, Having a AA Battery compartment is a GREAT option because it not only gives Consumers more choice, but also doesn't limit their Life Span as much. I can't use ANY of my PS3 controllers now because not one of the 5 I have hold a charge and I can't very easily replace. ALL my Xbox 360 controllers still work, even if my AA rechargeable batteries or Battery Packs stop holding a charge, I can easily buy more or use regular AA's until I can get replacement rechargeable batteries - much cheaper than buying a new controller!!

No - I already have the OG RoG Ally - that was my first Handheld Gaming PC - its the only Handheld PC I've owned but owned numerous PC Tablets and Laptops.

I've owned many Handheld gaming devices from Nintendo's Game & Watch games to a Gameboy, Gameboy Color, DS etc. I've had a Sega Game Gear too but I've not gamed on a handheld 'gaming' device for over a decade (not counting playing a few games on Mobile phones over the years) - at least until I bought my RoG Ally.

For me, the RoG Ally is 'decent' but just not comfortable or easy to use. The Controls and layout are Small so I struggle to intuitively hit the right buttons as my Muscle Memory is used to a full size layout. That's one of the BIG reasons I'm interested in the RoG Xbox Ally X - not just because it maybe a bit of an upgrade spec wise, but because I expect it to feel more like a Controller in my hands. I don't travel much, certainly not whilst I could game too, so its more for the Home use when the TV is being used. The ability to just carry on playing in comfort (on the Sofa with an Xbox like Controller) appeals greatly. Often I only have 30mins or so before something starts on TV and Don't turn on the Console, but turning on the RoG Ally allows me to play for as long as I want without having to move or cut the session short.

I don't buy any games at launch because no game is worth that much to me. It will be much cheaper after a while and there are MANY great games on Sale so I'd rather buy 3 or more AAA games for the price of 1.

Free to Play games these days are also an option. Games like Roblox and Fortnite as well as Halo:Infinite all offer creation tools to create different and/or unique experiences.

There are so many Games and Options that I don't need to buy ANY game when its at its most expensive. I have a Backlog of Games going back over 20yrs on Xbox to the OG Xbox with some playable on Series hardware, games that are less than £10 I could buy from the past 20yrs as well as all the FREE games from Gold/Game Pass that I could play so why pay more just because its a 'new' release. As an older release, it will still offer the SAME experience but at much more reasonable cost.

New games aren't just competing with other 'new' releases that week, but the massive Libraries of Games available on that hardware. Why spend money when I don't have enough time to play the games I already have or get access to...

When more and more people are turning to Free to Play Games like Fortnite and Roblox which offer a LOT of variety of Games too, and playing on Mobiles etc, when Publishers are putting up prices as well as selling so much content post launch which makes a 'complete' game even more expensive, Hardware too has gone up as cost of Living skyrockets, I wonder if the Sales alone will be enough. 10m via Game Pass or struggle to sell 1m in Sales in the first month and Game Pass does 'Pay' for the Games.

Game Pass isn't 'unique' as both EA and Ubisoft have Sub services for their Games too - highest tier offering their games Day 1. Playstation+ affects sales too as some will now opt to wait for them to come to that service than spend $40+ in a Sale, let alone buy it for $70 Day 1.

Game Pass is 'additional' no instead of - yes some consumers may ONLY Sub, never buy anything or spend any more money on gaming (inc MTX/DLC content), but others will use it to 'supplement' their gaming Library, will play games on Game Pass, choosing to buy a select few and/or DLC/MTX as well as buy the games that aren't on Game Pass. Instead of choosing which game to buy and play, and which to miss out on, they can play multiple games without going over-budget or missing out.

If Sony had created Game Pass (or decided that PS+ would offer Day 1), I bet the industry would be lauding Sony's 'innovation' and more Consumer friendly approach. Some games you may play multiple times, but most are not even finished or ever returned to - that's why they tried (and basically killed off) the Used market because that hurt Sales. You don't own Games (just a Licence to access the Software) and as we know, Companies can revoke Licences, shut down their Servers etc to make the game 'unplayable'. So why not 'rent' games - Blockbuster and Netflix used to rent games which 'hurt' sales - but could also generate sales if the person borrowing enjoys it enough they want to own it!!

Its Corporate Greed to say that anything that offers Value or more Consumer Choice (Choice to 'rent' or Buy) is detrimental to 'them' when its clearly benefitting a LOT of Devs, a lot of Projects and Consumers too. It doesn't work for Corporate Greed because they want to 'maximise' revenue from each Consumer - not give them a Choice - its Pay the $70+, pay the Sub fee to play Online with Friends or MISS OUT. The game will be half price in a few months as they panic and need to shift units to try and claw back more of the Costs they spent - but with Game Pass, most seem very happy to receive a big chunk of cash so that when it does go on sale Day 1, it's profitable within Days...

@carlos82 Yeah - PGR2 was my Favourite Racing game of that era - just enough reality with the right blend of Arcade as well Trying to earn enough Kudos or nail a perfect run to get the Platinum kept me playing and playing and it looked Great for its time too. Forza felt too 'Sim' like which to me takes some of the 'fun' of racing 'games'.

I think Horizon Blends Arcade into its Racing Game very well - even if it aims for Sim style Physics and realistic looking Cars (until DLC introduces toy brands) and Environments. That's why I think it also has wider appeal which puts more Pressure on the 'Flagship' which often sold as much because it was a 'Graphical Showcase' but also Runs well and bundled with Consoles at times too so 'inflated' sales. But its 'niche' - too Sim like and it becomes 'too serious' for gamers to want to play to relax - sometimes they want to go speeding through villages in expensive sports cars racing aeroplanes or seeing how far you can jump a Ferrari...

Point is Forza Motorsport maybe the 'best' Sim Racer on Xbox, it's not the best Sim Racer on PC and unlikely to make enough competing with GT on Playstation and their loyal fanbase. Horizon is different enough to be 'successful' and MS know it.

With so many Sim Racers in the PC space, some that are more accurate and so far less forgiving than Forza is, to them it still feels to 'gamey' but otherwise decent Racer. With MS opening up and/or exposing their Xbox Market to other Markets like Steam, Epic etc, they can basically keep 'Forza Motorsport' Relevant for years to come with updates, add new tracks/old tracks remastered, add new vehicles annually with each new 'year' of cars etc etc as long as people keep wanting that FM experience without necessarily needing to 'remake' a game again from scratch that may not compete with whatever else is available....