BAMozzy

@TheGameThrifter Xbox Console sales have flatlined ever since Xbox was merged into Windows/Microsoft instead of being a 'small' side Project with a 'handful' of Studios that was flopping hard after the release of XB1.

That merger meant Microsoft would NO LONGER neglect their own PC platform, the Gaming Platform they originally started on - games like Flight Sim for example. 25yrs ago, Gaming PC's were niche and very expensive so MS wanted to go 'mainstream' and bring PC games to mainstream audiences - hence the HDD and internet connection. Both of which led Console gamers to call the OG Xbox basically a PC in a Box - although its a DirectX machine in a Box with Microsoft wanting to establish DirectX as the API of choice - which devs had to use for their Console so used it for PC too.

When they 'merged' Xbox into MS, Xbox stopped being 'just' their Console and became their Gaming Brand - hence Day 1 releases on their PC Platform, Game Pass for both their Xbox PC and Console platforms, Play Anywhere and Smart delivery giving both Xbox PC and Console versions, delivering the right version for your hardware.

All that affects the sales of Consoles - console become 'optional' for those that ONLY have the budget for a Subsidised Console locking you into that 1 store and Platform or 'prefer' the Console style gaming experience that a single platform offers. PC gamers (and most young kids are PC gamers these days as PC's have dropped in price and far more versatile) aren't buying an Xbox at all, but will buy a PS or Switch for their 'exclusives'. Will buy just for a handful of releases they can't play on their 'prefered' platform.

Xbox are offering all their games Day 1 on ALL their Platforms regardless of whether you prefer the PC, Console or Cloud gaming experience, Play Day 1 on any Xbox gaming enabled device - whether it has their OS at the heart (as PC and Xbox have) or via a MS owned App on iOS/Android devices and Game Pass, despite the price rise offers you Day 1 access at no 'extra' cost - 4 AAA games a year would cost more so could be the best Value, but if you buy, you get both a Console and PC version (you don't on PS5) and won't be waiting for games to come to your Playstation platform - games like Starfield, Avowed, South of Midnight, Fable, Clockwork Revolution - the 'Single Player' games.

Xbox can compete on 'Hardware' - best hardware, library, games (as not all Xbox games release Day/Date on PS), controller, design/aesthetics, services etc etc and of course how well it plays the SAME games.

There are many ways for MS to compete and still be one of the biggest gaming companies in the world. Xbox is Microsofts gaming brand - regardless of whether you play Xbox games in their Platforms or on PS - its still money for Xbox gaming and you are spending your 'time' in their Xbox product. If you 'prefer' to do that via a 3rd Party Platform - inc Steam on PC for example, that's your choice, but you are still a Microsoft customer, using a Microsoft product you've paid Microsoft to use (even if you have to pay Sony/Valve for using their Platform and/or access to online based content). Xbox Console hardware is not the only Xbox Platform and why it won't compete on Sales with PS/Switch hardware but 'Xbox' can compete as Xbox is NOT just the Console Platform...

Couldn't care less - its not as if I can't play Halo on the Platform I want or most likely to play it on. Its a 25yr old game at its core too and as far as I am aware, 'Xbox' platforms will be the ONLY place to offer Halo on Game Pass as well as Xbox PC/Console versions.

The fact that more gamers can now play day 1 doesn't negatively impact my enjoyment of or ability to play that game. If anything, I am happy that it seems MS are releasing 'more' games a year that I can enjoy even if other gamers on other platforms can also enjoy them too - aren't we all 'Gamers' with a shared interest in Gaming?

With some of the issues on Playstation, I can understand now why PushSquare maybe weren't as 'Positive' as those reviewing on Xbox hardware.

In any case, I have NO intention of Playing the Outer Worlds 2 on any other Platform besides Xbox (Xbox PC and/or Console) via Game Pass - if I choose to play at all. I never finished the first and don't think I left the first 'main' area after the intro/tutorial area so I doubt I'd have bought OW2 until it was dirt cheap (and only if it reviewed well) at the most.

I'm happy that at least it seems to be a 'Solid' release from Microsoft and hopefully another success this year but the last game I 'enjoyed' from Obsidian was Fallout: New Vegas and now have far less interest in or time to 'dedicate' to an RPG. So many I've started 'multiple' times because when I get an opportunity (orr desire) to jump back in, I have so many quests that I can't remember the story or point of the quests.

The more RPG's have 'grown' - instead of being just '1' big Open Area with every Quest/mission etc contained in that 1 space, the less interested and/or more I dislike the game. Starfield has quests/missions that you have to travel in a Ship to a different area just to collect or drop something off - but that Planet has no other quests/missions leading to it 'yet'. On a single map, those are just 'new' regions that you may decide to make a 'detour' from the main path to explore en-route whilst following the main mission - but when main missions and most 'unfinished' quests each require travelling to 'different' maps, that's where I usually quit.

Each to their own, but I'm glad that solid releases are still coming out despite all the negative news...

Nuketown always comes to Black Ops within a couple of weeks of Launch - and I have no issue with them bringing Maps back from previous games as 'DLC/Seasonal Content' as I think a LOT of those maps are great 3-lane Maps that worked well in the past, often Fan Favourites.

I must admit though, Treyarchs Nuketown/Firing Range and IW's Shipment/Rust maps have NEVER been my favourites and have wanted many of the medium/large maps to be brought back - especially some of the DLC Maps. I loved the Remnake of the Cliffside map from W@W that turned it into a Golf Course.

BO6 maps were not great imo. They may have gone for a 3 lane design in Principal, but with so many sightlines and ways to cut across the lanes, those 'Lanes' were too messy, too unpredictable etc so the 'flow' wasn't great. What I noticed about the Beta is that the maps are more traditional 3 lane design so the Flow and 'predictability' was better.

I really enjoy CoD's gunplay and movement. It feels the most consistent and solid - yes I get that other aspects (SBMM or Cartoon Skins) maybe too much at times, but when the moment to moment gunplay feels that Slick/Solid and nothing else feels quite as good, I'm looking forward to BO7.

I really love Treyarch's Zombies - arguably good enough to be a Standalone release so CoD tends to be my 'most played' game annually even if it never makes my top 3 Games of the Year and arguably the 'best' value in terms of cost per hour...

Anyone who knows or is a Creative type will likely know that sometimes (or quite a LOT of the time), the project they are working on is 'never' perfect, never going to be 'perfect' and could always be tweaked and improved. As the 'project' developes too, the project they are working can 'grow' and grow as the creatives continue to have ideas and inspiration.

Whether its an artist who never thinks their Painting is 'finished' or that they could or would have done 'more' or a better job had they had more time/money, to a Game Dev.

Sometimes you may need someone to keep the Creative 'Dreamers' on track, focussed on the project as planned, not changing/diverting mid-way as new ideas and inspirations add delays, complications etc for the management.

Ambition and the reality of the scale of that Ambition too can be too much for that creative team to realise and then get bogged down in the technicalities of developing that concept into a working model, let alone a finished project.

These are some of the issues with letting Studios have freedom to create. You might Greenlight a Project that maybe you've seen a small mock-up demo and listened to the Creative describe their Ambition and goals for their Project, but a year or 2 later, that has changed, evolved now requiring more time/money and instead of now being 'near' completion, they are still in the 'early' stages because they still haven't fully settled on everything, all working towards that 'same' goalpost. A few years later and progress still doesn't seem that much further along as new ideas and mechanics are being implemented.

After several years, their Company has spent Millions on the Project/Studio and still has no Product to sell, no way to recoup that investment. They see that it will cost Millions more to get even close to the finish line, assuming no 'issues/delays' crop up, and don't think it will barely sell enough to cover their costs if it released in the next 6-12m, let alone after 2+ more years of investment.

Trying to find the Balance between Managing the Creative side and the realities of a Business side is not easy as some studios may need more 'Hands-on' Management than others - it really does depend on the Studio and the Project.

@GamingGod My point isn't about the quality of the games at all - its more the fact that its called a 'Playstation' yet doesn't play ANY Playstation games Natively.

An Xbox Ally may not play 'Xbox Console' games natively, but it does play Xbox PC games natively - some you may own via Play Anywhere with Smart Delivery to deliver the Xbox version for your Hardware (PC or whatever Xbox Consoles it released on) and others maybe available via your Game Pass Subscription and Game Pass is 'locked' to the Xbox versions only - GP PC locked to Xbox PC versions as its their PC version of GP.

The Xbox Ally's also play ALL your Xbox games via Remote play, just like a Playstation Portal offers so the argument that it doesn't play Xbox games is absolutely ridiculous when it plays more Xbox games natively, let alone the options to stream those games when the ONLY option on a 'Playstation' Portal is to Stream, it doesn't offer any 'Native' gaming.

I said it Can't play Playstation games natively, yet is still a Playstation gaming Handheld device (not 'yet' as in maybe it will one day play games natively). It only streams, but people are fine with that being a Playstation branded device, but a Handheld PC can't be Xbox branded because it doesn't play their 'Xbox Console' games natively - it plays Xbox PC games natively though...

@DNortonX So is a PLAYSTATION portal not a Playstation despite Sony branding it as a Playstation? It doesn't play ANY Playsstation games you may own Natively and relies solely on Remote Play/Streaming to 'play on the go'

At least with an Xbox Ally, you are able to play Xbox games Natively - all their Xbox PC games they've released for the past decade are on their Xbox PC platform, they have Play Anywhere and Smart Delivery so you get the Xbox PC or Console version (only their PC platform version, not Steam, Epic or other PC Platform version, just the XBOX PC version). Game Pass PC too is locked to their Xbox PC platform.

Just because you are 'only' a Console Player, Doesn't mean that others don't have a Xbox PC Library. If you play CoD, Indiana Jones, Avowed, Outer Worlds 2 etc on PC via Game Pass, you are playing the Xbox PC version, buy DLC, seasonal passes, MTX's or even the game through Game Pass, you get the Xbox ONLY versions

Xbox stopped being the 'JUST' the console a decade ago, that's why MS release ALL their Games Day/Date into their Xbox Platforms, which are ALWAYS listed as PC, Console, Cloud. A decade ago, EVERYONE was complaining about Xbox merging into Microsoft/Windows that NO-ONE would buy an Xbox now that Xbox is on PC.

The sales of Consoles is 'weak' compared to the Playstation/Switch with their 'Exclusives' to incentivise PC gamers to buy - even if just for the exclusives. The reason is because Xbox is also on PC and Cloud so you don't need a Console to play Xbox Games on an Xbox platform.

Xbox is MS's Gaming Brand, just like Playstation is to Sony. You can't play games on EVERY branded product - like Portal, Headsets, Controllers, (you can use a 'Playstation/Xbox' Controller to play Games on the Steam Platform for example) - its just their Gaming Brand - Sony's Playstation Headsets are designed for their Gaming ecosystem which is 'Playstation' but they also make Headsets for Audiophiles/DJ's etc - not PS branded.

Xbox has more than 1 Platform - you have Xbox Console and Xbox PC. About a decade ago, XB1 flopped hard, so MS considered Shutting down their Xbox Console business altogether - instead decided to merge it into MS/Windows and so since then, Xbox is on PC.

Play Anywhere and Smart Delivery offer you the 'Xbox' version for the Patform you play on - regardless of whether that is a Windows PC, Series X, Series S (or the XB1 S/X if released on these too). Game Saves, Progress and Achievements are all synced between Xbox PC and Xbox Consoles.

Game Pass too is on their Xbox Platforms - either Xbox PC or Xbox Console versions - both offer Free Games for their respective Platform and all those games are locked to the 'Xbox' Platform Store they are on so if you buy DLC, MTX or the game through GP, you are buying from Xbox.

Game Pass Cloud lets you stream 'Xbox' games (as in games sold or made/published by Microsoft and locked to 'Xbox' - the Xbox Console platform with its titles) but its through a Microsoft owned App on whatever enabled devices you have.

PC has more than one Platform/Storefront and Microsofts Gaming Brand is Xbox so their PC platform is 'Xbox' too - but Xbox PC, not Console.

So yes, you can play 'Xbox' and many devices will either be able to let you play Xbox games (as in games locked to an Xbox Platform so you can't play these on 'other' platforms unless you buy) Natively or via Streaming.

Playstation Portal doesn't play Playstation 5 games 'Natively' at all yet is a Playstation Gaming handheld - it relies on Streaming/Remote Play to let you play 'Playstation' on the Go. A Xbox Ally too will let you play Xbox games on the go via Streaming/Remote Play, but also lets you play some Xbox Games natively if you bought them with Play Anywhere or via Game Pass Subscriptions,

Didn't rememdy also make the CrossfireX campaigns that 'flopped' too. FBC is competing in a tough market with well established IP's and a lot of them are F2P with years and years of additional content and Game-play, QoL updates.

Unless its unique, special and/or extrremely well polished with a lot of Content, a premium Live Service game will struggle to compete - especially with that barrier to entry too others don't require...

@IOI It's not loyalist to understand the situation in the context in which these decisions occur instead of just the 'Xbox' Console bubble.

Its no secret that prices have gone up for everyone - whether you are a Consumer or business. The price of Silicon, Copper etc has risen, the cost of Fuel and Energy (electricity/Gas etc) so that 'impacts' both.

Price rises in a Cost of Living crisis are certainly not welcome, but the businesses too are facing higher 'costs/tariffs' as well as slowing Revenue as their Consumers have less free money to spend. Even the exchange rate for Global business affect pricing. If their currency can't buy as much anymore due to falling value in the exchange rate, that makes it more expensive too.

Maybe MS aren't spending money on R&D to find ways to manufacture their Console chearper - like Sony have done with their revisions of Slim/Pro hardware - instead of raising costs. But with Xbox on PC and Cloud too, the console is never going to sell like the 360 days, return to those 'glory years' etc...

Since the 360 days, Xbox would seem a very tainted brand - XB1 was a 'flop', Kinect/DRM killed it and MS Console momentum. They merged Xbox into MS, so Xbox on PC meant Xbox Consoles had NO Exclusives or incentives to buy, Play Anywhere/Smart Delivery to give you the Xbox version for your Hardware (PC or Console) and introduced Game Pass (which has always been contentious for its Day 1 releases hurting 'Sales' and/or 'destroying Gaming' according to some sectors). yes they've had some successes - BC, XB1X, Game Pass 'value' - at least until recently and being named best Publisher in 2021, but these can be overshadowed by 'No' Exclusives as Xbox is on PC...

Despite reiterating over the last Decade that 'this is an Xbox' because their Gaming Platforms are 'Xbox Platforms regardless of whether you play on PC, Console or Cloud, they've been bashed for that too and some still refuse to acknowledge Xbox is on PC, until it comes to Console sales and then know full well why Console sales are 'weak' - Who buys an Xbox when Xbox is on PC and now coming to PS too...

I do think it will be a Windows PC in a Console like form factor at its heart. As MS owns Windows 11 and as we have seen, can and will 'modify' it to boot up a certain way - like with some processes turned off for gaming mode and booting to custom UI, not the full desktop.

Their next Console could also boot to a Custom UI, but unlike the Xbox Ally's, not be able to switch to a Desktop mode (MS may cut that from their OS) leaving ONLY the Windows 11 parts that PC games require (and their UI).

That way, every game they make is a PC game, no need to port a version over to a Console and spend weeks/months tweaking and optimising to get it 'running' and polished enough for release. They have a 'fixed spec' Console - as well as low power Handhelds to Scale and optimise for so as long as they make settings scale to their hardware for consistent performance/visual clarity, that's a LOT more cost effective than porting to multiple Platforms.

Xbox Console maybe on its 'deathbed' in the traditional sense, but Xbox as a Platform will Continue - just like Steam, Epic and other PC platforms...

@Banjo- That's what I think - the next Console will be a Windows 11 OS with some customisation/modification to lock it to Microsoft Only - after all they build and can modify their own OS to only boot to Xbox FSE with all 'Desktop and non-gaming' aspects Stripped out completely - not supplied so no way to switch to full screen mode or access other Windows based platforms services.

Being a 'fixed' Platform, Devs can just optimise their PC versions with say a 60fps and 120fps mode - or let you set your own 'custom' settingsbut essentially its the exact same game they sell on any other PC platform - its software recognise your hardware specs and adjusts its settings accordingly

That way their Studios only make PC games with their minimum standard for 'optimising to' is their weakest PC product - so handheld ready with its 'settings' and able to scale up to Console or high end PC gaming but must be at least decent on a handheld with settings to adjust text scale for example on small screens and targeting say 4k/60 on a Fixed spec Console style PC and release it on their Store only (unless porting to P3rd Party Consoles like PS or Switch).

Point is, MS want Windows at the heart of gamers experience whether on PC, Console or Cloud and Windows to be the home of Gaming with Xbox as their Gaming brand on all devices. whether that happens with their next console, which I do think won't be a 'traditional' single platform device, although I do think they might put 'multi-platform' access behind a game pass sub tier.

The only issue is how to bring that Console Library forward effectively and 'cheaply', don't want to be wasting valuable chip just for space for BC compatibility if you can 'emulate with purely software to make the game work and think its running on the Hardware its code expects it to work with.

Until we know if they can emulate the hardware in software only or require custom hardware, as both are AMD, Xbox could just licence out the 'Xbox' die space for any partnered PC build for Xbox Console compatibilty, but its still an 'Xbox PC' platform regardless and maybe its 'Xbox' only - not console or PC as they are both the same - just one maybe a Custom Windows 11 OS only for Console gaming rather than the full multi platform interface Windows normally offers and controls which other Windows based content you can use on their product - its not the Open Windows 11 experience, its the Locked to Windows 11 gaming (Xbox) with MS controlling who they let into their Platform to vie for your time and or money....

@mikeangry I know its not booting up and switching on ALL the Windows Desktop processes and Xbox FSE is built into 'Windows' as a gaming UI on this particular version of Windows - but Windows/Xbox is interchangeable on PC depending on whether you are talking about 'Windows' as whole or Microsofts specific Gaming platform on Windows PC is Xbox. Its built into Windows so of course its not an 'APP' like some may expect - its Xbox PC their Windows Gaming Platform built into Windows and their Store.

I think they will find a way to make the next Console a Windows based Console but whether it ONLY boots to Xbox and cannot open up to a full desktop, and as MS have 'Control' of the OS and type of device its going in, can certainly 'modify it and its 'interface' to not boot up (or even include any of the 'Desktop' aspects in the OS - just what Games require for gaming on a Windows PC) and 'Lock' gaming Apps like Steam behind a Console pay wall - otherwise they'll lose all their online social gaming sales to Steam instantly if they don't need 'Essential' for that. But games will be 'PC games released into Microsofts Store Front - not a 'ported to Xbox Console version' - the same version you can buy on steam or whatever other apps MS offer.

Both Windows 11 and Xbox teams are working together on this to try and make their 'handheld' platform, which also Benefits their Xbox gaming Platform as they try and emulate the ease of use and storefront experience Console gamers expect etc - they've neglected there PC Platform for years allowing 3rd Parties to 'dominate' them - they've spent the past 8yrs 'improving' their PC Platform alongside their Console and Cloud building. This handheld is basically the culmination of 'Xbox' merging into Microsoft about a decade ago and throwing Microsoft type money to their Xbox gaming Division on their PC, Console and Cloud divisions - every release since merging has released on PC/Console hardware.

Its not so much emulating the Hardware - MS and AMD work together and I'm sure the next Xbox can run those games because of some Hardware design, but that doesn't mean that it can't be a 'Windows 11' based system that runs Windows PC games natively. It may require some 'custom software/emulation' so that the Xbox Console games think they are running on an Xbox because 'code' needs to interface with the OS to run the game on the hardware. If there are 'specific to Xbox' hardware aspects - like dedicated Audio chip so audio only gets sent to a 'audio' chip in code, it either requires an dedicated audio chip to 'operate' in a specific way built in or sent to a similar part in their hardware and 'emulate' it there'

Its complex if the games are coded to interface with specific OS/API's and hardware - when at their Core, they are all modified PC builds comprising of all the same parts - CPU/GPU/RAM etc required to actually run a game - the only difference is the way they are coded to run on hardware with specific OS and API's to use that hardware as effectively as they can, they are all games on PC, or built on one.

It just depends on whether they can get software to emulate the hardware etc on the hardware they really want to build for maximum performance at whatever console like price point they target, not waste a bit on 'specialist' hardware taking up die space on their chip but still requires specific software to interface between game and hardware for Backwards Compatibilty.

@lacerz Xbox One and its failing changed EVERYTHING for Xbox 'Consoles'. It almost saw the End of Xbox as a Brand as MS considered quitting Gaming altogether - only had a handful of Studios and IP's, relying heavily on Forza, Gears and Halo despite losing Bungie and Epic as the devs on their biggest two IP's, and the disaster of TV, TV, TV and a Kinect Only device (which lasted only 6 months before it became 'optional' before being dropped altogether). Despie making Changes so that basically everything they screwed up on, they had reversed/backtracked on, they lost all momentumm and goodwill built up over the 360 era.

Instead of calling it a day, MS merged Xbox into Windows and that was the single biggest change to their Xbox Console as Xbox stopped being just the Console, but the brand for ALL Microsoft Gaming. Games stopped being exclusive to their console only and released Day/date on their PC platform - that upset Xbox customers who all said why buy an Xbox when Xbox is on PC now (ironic that 10yrs later, PC can't be Xbox despite having Xbox on it)

Merging also enabled MS to spend massively on Studios and Publishers - most with long history on PC before releasing games on consoles. Merging also meant that Microsoft introduced Play Anywhere so you got the Xbox Console and Xbox PC version and with Smart Delivery, will deliver the version for your Hardware - play on PC, get the Xbox PC version, Play on Series X, get the Series X version with any additional features/modes over the Series S version

It also enabled them to create Game Pass that's exclusive' to their Platform - even if you have to use a Microsoft App on an Android/iOS device. Game Pass PC offering Xbox PC versions whilst Game Pass Console/Cloud is the Console versions.

Purchasing ABK was a direct result of them merging a failing Console Side Project into MS and making it their Gaming Brand across all platforms, throwing 'money' at keeping Xbox as a relevant Gaming brand beyond just the Console with its 'low' sales relative to other Consoles.

All the 'good' & 'bad' coming out of Microsoft from the perspective of us a gamers as consumers of Microsoft Products/services with regards to 'Xbox' is a direct result of them merging Xbox into MS.

Game Pass was once the best thing in Gaming because you got games Day 1 and could play anywhere via cloud or PC too until the price went up that bit too much for many but releasing Games day/date on PC made their console less appealing/important. Play Anywhere was great - if under supported by 3rd Parties but not if that means Xbox PC platform/devices can exist and 'confuse' those who are blinkered/narrow minded and can't accept 'Xbox' existing outside their Console only mind and then get 'butthurt' when you try and explain Xbox is NOT just the console anymore and hasn't been years now - plenty of time to get accustomed to the messaging instead of constantly fighting against it - that's not an Xbox if it doesn't play my Console games - yet will get Xbox PC games via Play Anywhere or Game Pass when it 'suits' them...

@GeeEssEff nope - and I don't think Bill Gates is really involved with MS these days - I don't think he even owns a major portion of MS shares either.

Its now Satya Nadella who runs MS, not related to him either.

Again, its not my fault you can't grasp MS's 'Xbox' ecosystem and still think of it as ONLY their Console Platform despite MS branding ALL their Gaming division as 'Xbox' as it was well established as their Gaming brand a decade ago - but stopped being just their Console.

Their Xbox Ally's are Xbox PC devices that boot to their Xbox PC platform where your Xbox PC library is - the Play Anywhere Console games gave you an Xbox PC version, not just the Xbox Console version to play on your Console but the Xbox PC version to play on Windows PC's and Game Pass PC is locked to Xbox PC platform offering Xbox PC versions of games - not the Console version as they won't run natively. That's been happening for years so why is it so hard to accept that Xbox is on PC and therefore any PC that's running (or boots to) Xbox PC platform (windows itself is an Xbox PC gaming platform with Windows Store - but the games are Xbox PC versions) to also be Xbox?

Windows and Xbox OS - both Microsoft, Direct X API is Microsoft so games on their OS, using their API's on their Platform are ALL Microsoft Gaming products so 'Xbox' branded - however confusing that maybe when they don't 'stipulate'

However, they have never been shy about saying these Handhelds are PC's so Xbox PC, not Xbox Console - seems so simple to me after a Decade of messaging, a decade of Play Anywhere and Day 1 releases on PC, a decade of Game Pass on their Xbox Platforms/Apps, a decade of Xbox Studios and Xbox Publishing.

Now I know that some won't read a wall of text as that's too much for them to cope with, but the point is, I'm not defending MS just because you don't like the truth.

I'm not the one who decided to merge Xbox into windows and brand their entire gaming division 'Xbox' which has obviously led to some confusion - which I will accept it can be confusing to begin with, but after years and years, surely it must sink in at sometime that 'Xbox' and any reference to Xbox does not ALWAYS mean their Console hardware platform.

I know I've been saying it since 2016 - when they merged Xbox in and Xbox stopped being just the Console. Everytime the Console owners whinge/whine about MS not prioritising or focussing ONLY on their Console, I've had to remind them that Xbox Console is just '1' of Microsofts Gaming Platforms and Xbox is their PC, Console and Cloud Ecosystem which is why you got Game Pass, Play Anywhere and a massive injection of Money to buy Studios for their 'Xbox' ecosystem on PC, Cloud and Console (as well as some 3rd Party Platforms too - like Steam, Playstation, Switch etc.

Again, no 'opinion' so no Defending or criticising the situation, just stating the facts that Xbox does NOT mean just the Console or Console Library, you can have an Xbox PC library too so ANY windows PC, not just Xbox branded ones, have Xbox built in as their PC Platform and that's where Game Pass PC lives too - on their Xbox PC platform offering Xbox PC versions you can ONLY play on the Xbox PC ecosystem - not Steam, not Epic or any other 3rd Party - that is Fact, not Opinion

Again, I can see where Confusion can stem from - hence I often point out the facts without Opinion and then get called a MS shill or Fanboy for knowing that Xbox is not just their console. I'm trying to inform not anger or upset people but the fact is, Microsoft themselves made those changes nearly a decade ago and yet people still assume 'Xbox' branded stuff must be their Console only or just their Xbox Console Library and can't mean their Xbox PC and/or Xbox PC library too - despite even getting Xbox PC games via Play Anywhere or using their Console Game Pass Subscription to play on 'Xbox PC' games on PC hardware for the last decade.

If I'm 'wrong' or 'misinformed', just answer this Question:-
Where and what platform version are the Play Anywhere 'Console' games you bought found on a PC? They aren't in any 3rd Party Gaming Platform like Steam, so not the 'steam' version, certainly not the Xbox Console version either, they are Xbox PC versions

Its got nothing to do with defending MS or 'commitment' to a Company, its me paying attention to the way they have 'merged' Xbox into Windows and the resulting messaging and brand use since then so I don't make 'assumptions'. I am not going to say that Xbox is 'ONLY' the Console and any device that doesn't play EVERY Xbox Console game natively can't be an Xbox when MS themselves made 'Xbox' their gaming brand on ALL their platforms

I'm sorry you are 'butthurt' that MS has a PC platform too that they call Xbox or that your 'preferred' Console hardware is NOT the ONLY Xbox Platform but optional, that Microsoft aren't 'focussed' solely on their Console and return to releasing games Exclusively to their Xbox Console instead of Xbox family of Platforms.

Since merging, Games stopped being Exclusive to Console but you get Play Anywhere in the Xbox ecosystem - inc PC and Cloud streaming your OWN Xbox games, Game Pass is on their Xbox Platforms (or you can get a MS App to stream games on other Platforms like iOS/Android or use 'Browsers' inc Steam Browser to stream 'Xbox' games. Merging into Windows also gave them significant budget increases to purchase Studios/Publishers - Bethesda, Activision and Blizzard have massive Windows PC history - longer than they have history with Playstation or Xbox Consoles.

Point is, I'm only reiterating the Facts, its not my opinion about whether MS should call their PC platform 'Xbox' or not, not my opinion about what constitutes 'Xbox' today - just stating the facts that explains 'why' this is an Xbox device - not Xbox Console but Xbox PC and it boots to Xbox FSE, MS's Xbox PC Platform and Xbox has been on PC for years - even if they still keep 'Windows' and Windows Store naming - their Games are Xbox games (on PC) and their gaming Platform is Xbox on PC too - just like you have Steam on PC and Steamdeck with SteamOS too...Steam is Valves Gaming brand, Playstation is Sony's and MS has Xbox...

@GeeEssEff Again, Its NOT about defending MS, its about correcting people's blinkered or uninformed - which MS's themselves can take some blame for - opinions that contradict facts.

I get that Xbox Console owners here Xbox and think that must mean 'just' them, but there are PC Only gamers and/or Cloud Only gamers that don't, or haven't needed an Xbox for years because they are already on 'Xbox'. It annoyed 'Xbox' Console owners when MS merged into Windows so every release was on Xbox PC Day 1 - never even considered that Game PC was on the Xbox PC platform 'exclusively' - not steam, epic or other PC gaming Platforms.

The amount of times over the past decade that Console owners have been angry because MS has been focused on their PC platform with updates or Game Pass PC getting games not coming to Console Game Pass, even releasing games like Gears: Tactics, Flight Sim, AoE4 etc on their PC platform first and almost Every time, I or someone else has pointed out that 'Xbox' stopped being 'just' the Console, that Console is just 1 'option' to get into the Microsoft Gaming (and Xbox is their Gaming Brand - like Playstsation is for Sony) ecosystem - Play on iOS/Android devices via a Microsoft app, you are playing on Xbox in the Cloud, Play on Microsoft Windows PC (not Steam/Epic etc) via Play Anywhere, Windows Store Purchases or even Game Pass PC, you are playing on Xbox PC and may have a decent Library of games built up over years of PC gaming (although with MS's neglect of their PC platform, it pushed most to 3rd Party Apps instead - a BIG Mistake by MS and maybe another major reason people forget MS had and still has their OWN platform on PC.

I'm not saying its strictly down to Peoples ignorance or blinkered view on the gaming Landscape where Publishers have their OWN PC platforms these days - inc EA and Ubisoft too btw. MS's messaging maybe not the clearest or even spelt out as 'clearly' as I try to do, but after a 'decade' of Xbox being part of Windows PC's too, they still can't accept Xbox being anything other than their Console Platform.

Years of MS telling you Xbox is on PC, on Cloud as well as their Console, years of Game Pass for 'Xbox' games - even on PC, Years of Play Anywhere where you get the 'Xbox' PC version, years of MS saying 'this is an Xbox' and showing a range of devices inc Mobiles, Laptops/desktops and/or TV 's/Media Sticks, years of MS updates focused on their PC platform - more so than their Console in recent years.

@GeeEssEff It feels that way because some still can't accept that Microsoft merged their Console division into MS about a decade ago and Xbox became their Gaming Brand across PC, Console and Cloud - play Xbox Published Games on Cloud, Play Xbox Published Games on PC - not just on Console... and also some of their 3rd Party Partners too may embrace Play Anywhere and/or Game Pass too - but that's up to them.

And again not saying its Right/wrong, not defending MS, but just pointing out Facts.

This Handheld boots to Xbox (Xbox FSE for Xbox PC games) and has your Xbox Game Pass PC library, your Xbox Play Anywhere Library as you got Xbox PC versions specifically for PC gaming, and both a Windows PC and Xbox Console have Microsoft Operating Systems and use Microsoft Direct X API's, so they are all Microsoft products and everyone is a Microsoft customer. PC's let you use 3rd Party Platforms alongside 'Xbox PC' or instead of, but ALL MS gaming Platforms (PC, Cloud and Console) are Xbox as Xbox is their Gaming brand - their games are 'Xbox' even if you choose to buy on Playstation or Steam, they just aren't in the Xbox ecosystem, but still get released as Xbox Published Games.

@GeeEssEff Ok, you go do whatever - but Halo 5 wasn't Play Anywhere as Play Anywhere didn't start until after Halo 5 and hadn't merged Xbox into MS at that point and MS were still neglecting their Windows PC gaming Platform.

However, EVERY Play Anywhere game you may OWN you got both the Xbox Console and Xbox PC version, Not Steam, not Epic etc. Game Pass PC games are all Xbox PC games so SOME PC gamers will have an Xbox PC library (as well as Steam, Epic, Battlenet (now a MS owned Gaming Platform too) etc Libraries.

Again, MANY Xbox Console gamers never even think about what 'versions' of games they got with Play Anywhere or Game Pass PC, they never thought they could be 'Xbox PC' games so when they hear MS is Partnering with Asus to prioritise their Xbox PC platform with Xbox branded Hardware, they can't comprehend that Microsoft have more than 1 'Xbox' Platform...

But again - all I've done is point out that MS has more than 1 Platform and I've been saying for years that Xbox isn't JUST the console and yet still people can't accept the facts - particularly those who ONLY ever play on locked Single Platform devices and have little/no experience of Multi-platform Hardware like PC's - Steam is NOT the only PC gaming Platform and MS Windows has had 'Xbox' as its PC gaming brand for nearly a decade...

@GeeEssEff If others too can't 'accept' that ANY Microsoft Gaming platform can be 'Xbox' even if it is 'different' from their Console platform, like Sony/Nintendo Handhelds were separate from their Console Platforms too, either forget or choose to forget for whatever 'Purpose', instead of doing research and then 'informing' those who may not of been keeping up with the news, that's not my fault or change the Facts.

When Sarah Bond or Phil Spencer talk 'Xbox', they are generally referring to THEIR Products/services ONLY, never about 3rd Party releases. So when they say your 'Xbox' Library, they may only mean your Xbox Published games or even let you play 'Console' games via Cloud or Remote Play - every 'Windows' PC can play your Entire Xbox Library, even if the majority are not playable 'natively'. It doesn't stop you playing your Xbox Console games on their 'Xbox PC'

Again, MS merged Xbox into Windows a decade ago as their Gaming Brand - you can't play Playstation Games on a Playstation Portal - yet you accept that ALL games can be played via Remote Play for example. But if Xbox names anything other than Console as 'Xbox' despite having their own Xbox platform on PC (that used to just be under MS Windows), people struggle.

They are ALL Microsoft gaming Products, Platforms and Games so all 'Xbox'

It's not 'defending' Microsoft, its just stating Facts that 'Console' gamers seem to struggle the hardest with. I can agree that they maybe should be a bit more 'clear' and state 'Xbox PC' or 'Xbox Console' Platforms as after 10yrs, some still don't get it...

@GeeEssEff I'm sorry if you are taking offence, but it really is a very selfish and blinkered perspective.

Even games like Borderlands 4, AC: Shadows, KCD2 etc are NOT 'Xbox' games, they are 3rd Party Multiplatform releases that you ONLY bought the 'Xbox' Console version of. They are NOT Published by or even allow MS to dictate which 'Platform(s)' you get. Doom 2016 isn't First Party either as it was Published by Bethesda who wasn't part of MS and maybe made their OWN deals with other Platforms (like Epic) long before MS acquired them

3rd Party Published games are NOT 'Xbox' games in general even if they release on an Xbox. They are the Publishers games that happen to release a 'version' for that platform -you ONLY purchased a Licence to play on Xbox Consoles Only - not Xbox PC and/or any other Platform because they are NOT Microsoft Published games on a Microsoft Platform.

As I said, go back to when Sony or Nintendo had a Handheld Platform and a separate Console. If you wanted to play Perfect Dark or Donkey Kong on N64 and Gameboy, you had to buy them twice. Same with Sony first Party games on their 2 Playstation Hardware SKU's.

Ubisoft has their own PC Platform too as does EA. If they 'choose' to release in a 3rd Party Platform, like Xbox Console, Xbox PC, Playstation, Steam, Epic etc, its up to them to decide whether to try and make 'more' money - considering they already lose 30% of the sale price to the Platform holder, you now expect them to give you games on mulltiple platforms.

I never said 'Xbox Console' and Xbox PC' are 'exactly the same' in terms of compatibility for games to run, but that BOTH are Microsofts OWN Platform and as Microsofts OWN platform, their 'Xbox' Games are Play Anywhere, on both Platforms Day/date, on Game Pass Ultimate/PC Day/Date, are playable across Microsofts Ecosystem seemlessly - at least since they merged Xbox into Windows.

Again, its that weird idea that 'every' thing on a 'Console' must be 'Xbox/Playstation' - even if Micorosoft/Sony never published, owned or have any say over the Publisher/owner. Until a decade ago, even BC was not normal - Both the XB1 and PS4 were completely separate - none of your Xbox/Playstation/3rd Party games run on the new hardware so you'd have to buy AC4 BF, CoD: Ghosts, BF4 etc again to play on a newer platform.

Just because you 'assume' every game on Xbox Console is 'Xbox' or that Xbox PC doesn't count as Xbox because it doesn't play Xbox Console, doesn't change the Facts. Microsoft only have 'control' over their OWN Games, their own services etc - they can't force 3rd Party Publishers to put ALL their games in Game Pass, release as Play Anywhere (when losing 30% of revenue to MS), can't force them to release on their Console hardware at all...

@kmtrain83 Not really - because everything that can connect to Xbox gaming services and/or Platforms is technically an 'Xbox' as Xbox is their entire Gaming division. It re-iterates that Xbox is NOT just the Console and even shows other products also have an Xbox Platform on them too.

If anything reiterates than Xbox is NOT just the Console, then their 'This is an Xbox' is reinforcing that idea - Everywhere you have a Microsoft OS (or App), you basically have access to Microsoft Gaming - or Xbox.

Playstation is Sony's Gaming Brand and all their Products/peripherals are Playstation Branded, whether you can play Playstation games on that 'Hardware' natively or not. Sony have had separate Platforms in the Past too - their Handhelds were separate from their Consoles. Same with Nintendo too. You couldn't play your Nintendo 64 games on your Nintendo Gameboy.

Yes I know they really neglected their PC platform and Windows Store has a bad rep, but that is still a Microsoft Gaming Platform - so 'Xbox'. It's still an 'Xbox' because ALL MS gaming Products/services/gaming hardware is 'Xbox' branded - inc Controllers, Headsets etc.

@GeeEssEff just because you've been comfortably 'ignorant' in your little Console bubble for the past decade, doesn't mean that Xbox has 'suddenly' become more than just the console - it started YEARS ago - you can't fail to notice their games Day/Date on PC too, can't fail to have noticed Play Anywhere or Game Pass - even if you 'don't care' about PC, the PC version is an 'Xbox' version, not Steam or Epic.

Microsost own the OS and API's on BOTH PC and their Console, their Console is basically a cheap, subsidised PC and the reason they got into the Console business was because PC's were NOT mainstream or affordable so MS built affordable 'PC' like Hardware and a bespoke Windows Based OS with DirectX API's. Almost anyone can assemble parts, but its the OS trhat makes the Hardware work like it does.

MS's entire Gaming brand is Xbox and has been for almost a decade now. Surely its about time that people took their blinkers off instead of constant showing their 'ignorance' and repeating the same BS for at least the last 7-8yrs...

@GeeEssEff But Microsoft had made games on their Windows Platform long before Xbox arrived. Yes they 'neglected' their Platform and focussed on their Console for a bit, but for the past decade, they've released all their games Day/Date in their PC Platform too - 3rd Party may not support BOTH MS's Platforms, but that's their choice.

Its been nearly a decade of Day1, nearly a decade of Play Anywhere and Game Pass - ALL of which Links Xbox 'Console' with 'Xbox PC' and THEIR Platform. If you play in ANY of Microsofts Platforms - regardless of whether that's Console, PC or Cloud, you are on 'Xbox' as that is MS's ENTIRE Gaming Ecosystem, their Gaming Platforms are 'Xbox'

If you chose not to pay attention when they merged and branded their Gaming division as 'Xbox', failed to notice Day1 on PC, Play Anywhere or even the fact that since merging, also spend billions on Studios and Publishers for 'Xbox' (inc their Xbox PC market to compete with Steam etc), that's on the blinkered nature of Console gamers!

Yes it might not be 'your' Xbox Console Library, but it does have your Xbox PC library and Xbox services like Game Pass...

Innovation is coming in their Software side - at least for Windows 11 low power devices. The Ergonomics are innovative for a Handheld as they often sacrifice comfort for small (70% scaled down in size) and slim designs.

Hardware internals are more iterative on the Previous, but bringing 'Console' ergonomics is somewhat innovative after Asus tried but didn't really succeed with their Z1E devices. Ally X was 'better', but still not quite right.

I don't know that MS's would have made as much effort on the OS, got Xbox and Windows teams together to 'innovate' on their OS...

@Exerion76 Xbox is Microsoft's Gaming Brand so if you are playing on 'their' PC platform - either Games you've bought from Microsoft (inc Play Anywhere games) or have access to via Game Pass, are ALL Xbox. Xbox is built into Windows - hence Xbox Bar.

It's NOT their Console Platform they started 25yrs ago, but their much OLDER PC Platform, the platform they were developing games for before they made a Console. 10yrs ago, Xbox, a Microsoft 'side Project', was merged into Microsoft with Xbox becoming their Gaming Brand - hence its on their Gaming devices/peripherals and why you boot to Xbox FSE on these handhelds.

Just because PC also allows 3rd Party gaming Platforms, like Steam, Epic etc, that doesn't mean that Microsoft, the company whose OS and API's are in both PC and Xbox hardware, doesn't have their own Gaming Platform on PC too.

It's weird that people can't see the fact that Microsoft own Windows, DirectX, Xbox, Game Pass etc and as such they are ALL part of the Microsoft ecosystem. Even Cloud streaming runs on MS OS based devices built into servers. Just because MS didn't assemble these PC's, doesn't mean they aren't at the heart of the Device - the Software that makes all the other Software work on that hardware. How can people forget that Windows and Xbox are both MS products and Xbox is their Gaming brand - not just their Console Hardware!!

Well of course its Asus - it's them that manufactured it and know the 'cost' to manufacture/distribute. MS will get a cut as its their OS and Branding too.

Its no different from buying a Laptop - Microsoft will get some money from the Windows Licence, but the price is determined by the manufacturer - inc any '3rd' party Software Licences they paid for.

The feedback from reviews has been overwhelmingly positive but 'some' reviews have questioned the $1k price point of the Ally X version. However they are completely missing the point that the 'Ally X' is NOT meant to be competing with Steamdeck or Switch 2, they have the RoG Xbox Ally for that, this is competing with High-end PC Handhelds - like Lenovo Go 2 and MSi Claw A8, which it does on both specs and PRICE as its the 'cheapest' Z2E chip.

The issue is that some still can't separate 'Xbox' from the 'Console' despite it being the Brand of Microsofts ENTIRE gaming division on PC, Cloud and of course Console - Xbox has been 'built-in' to Windows for years but its their PC Platform - their Original gaming Platform long before they made a Console that they 'neglected' 25yrs ago...

@Master_Cthulhu70 I think their Next Xbox (or even if they decide to make a Handheld) console will be a Windows 11 OS device - whether that's a Gaming optimised version - similar to these Asus Xbox PC's.

The difference is that they may not supply or allow you to boot the other Processes and access the Full Windows Desktop, but all 'Windows PC' games will run natively on it. That way MS only have to make 'PC' games - not port to and tweak a Console version too saving time/money.

They'll likely have some emulation and/or some specific Hardware tweaks built in to their own Hardware that will enable it to run similar to a Series X and therefore, every game (inc BC games) will run natively on their Hardware specifically. If some Hardware is 'required', then it will be 'exclusive' to MS branded Products, not EVERY Windows 11 product.

With BC, I also think it will be just your Digital Library that will be BC so if you want to play your old Physical Libraries, you'll need to keep your 'Series X' hardware (the ONLY current MS platform with a Physical media Player as PC, Cloud and Series S are all digital anyway).

If its Windows 11, MS have come full circle from their original days of making games for their Windows Platform - Flight Simulator is OLDER than Xbox. Not only that, ALL 3rd Party Games would also be 'Play Anywhere' and be BC with ANY Windows PC in the future - not some 'specialised' version designed to run on 1 specific Hardware SKU. If you buy 'better' hardware, you get better Performance/Graphic settings without needing some Dev to port and change a few settings to sell it as a 'remaster'.

MS will no doubt want Windows to be at the 'heart' of their Hardware - whether its for dedicated Gaming, for business, or for whatever you use a computer for. Xbox is their Gaming Brand - like Playstation is for Sony and Sony have had multiple Platforms in the Past too - their 'Playstation' Handhelds didn't give you the Consoole version and every 'Gaming' device - Portal, VR, Headsets etc are Playstation 'branded' too. I'm sure Sony also make Audio headsets that aren't 'Playstation' branded.

Xbox is MS's Gaming brand and I expect the fact Windows and Xbox team are working together, doing all this work on verifying games for Handhelds etc is indicative of where their OWN devices will likely go.

The only difference is whether they will 'lock' Consoles to MS's 'Xbox PC' ecosystem, still charge for 'Online' via GPE but in doing so, unlocks apps like Steam or Epic. In otherwords, on their 'Console', accesing Online gaming, Steam etc is behind a Subscription so they can sell a 'subsidised' Windows based Gaming focused 'PC' in a console form factor that's predominently geared towards their own Platform - as Xbox FSE is on these Handhelds...

@Dm9982 What you need to remember is that Xbox stopped being 'just' their Console and became their entire Gaming Brand. Anytime you play on Game Pass or buy games from MS (on Xbox or PC) you are playing in their Xbox Gaming ecosystem.

That's why all your Play Anywhere or Game Pass games are locked to - the Microsoft 'Xbox' Ecosystem, not steam or Epic. They are Microsoft, therefore Xbox products. Its just that a PC also has 3rd Party Platforms competing with MS unlike their Console.

The High end Xbox Ally X is competing with other 'High End' Handheld PC's like Lenovo Go and MSI claw - its the cheapest Z2E Handheld PC. The standard is designed to compete with Steamdeck/Switch 2 but offer a lager Gaming Library and more synchronised gaming with the Xbox Console.

I can see the 'next' Xbox running Windows 11 OS and booting to an Xbox FSE type UI. Whether you can access 3rd Party Apps like Steam without at least GPE or not, I don't know but that may depend on whether you also get the 'full' Windows 11 supplied or just a Gaming optimised version.

That way, MS Only need to make a PC game, no porting to Console and all 3rd Party releases would also be Windows PC versions so effectively Play Anywhere too. They only need to 'emulate' the Series X for BC to their Console History but all new releases would be Windows PC releases and play on any Windows PC, not just Xbox branded ones. Xbox would still be their Platform as you won't be able to play on Steam or Epic's PC platform.

@mikeangry I have a few ideas about their future and BC - I do think they'll find a way to
'Emulate' the Series X console in software - so it runs ALL the currently available 'Console' games that people own so they'll be playable - at least if bought digitally. If you buy Physical Media, you'll have to keep your Physical Hardware it was meant for to preserve your game and ability to play - maybe even built into their OS at its core to be 'seamless' rather maybe an 'app' that boots up to play old Console games you owned.

Or
Build into their Hardware so it can 'switch' between Series X and new Xbox which will likely be a Windows PC with a unique Boot (like Xbox Ally and the FSE boot), that plays Windows PC games, but maybe 'locked' to Microsoft, won't 'boot' to the full Windows. That way they only need to make the game 'once' and not have to port to Console and Optimise it, they build it on PC and make sure their 'Optimised' sertings lock to a consistent framerate - but you can change them. I also think they'll keep Apps like Steam or Epic behind their Game Pass Sub to sell hardware at a Subsidised rate. So even if you want to play your games on Steam, you have to pay MS for Game Pass Essential for 'Online Social Gaming' and other 'perks'.

Point is, I'm not sure the next 'Console' won't be a Windows PC in a Console Box so 'every' new game released for that gen in the 'Xbox/Windows store is a PC game locked to your 'Microsoft' account instead of Steam. And that includes 3rd Party Published games, they'd just be PC games released on MS's Store.

BC will only carry forward if you bought Digitally so if you want to keep your 'Old' Console Physical games, you'll need to keep your 'Physical' hardware - got to 'prove' you still have your Licence to access Software and with Digital, its Sign into your account, with Physical, its put it in the hardware - but I don't think next gen will have a place to put physical media in to keep costs, weight and size down - its 'just' for BC anyway as it will be All digital...

@Dm9982 They made the cheaper RoG Xbox Ally to compete with Steamdeck and Switch 2. Whilst it won't deliver the same graphical upgrade and frame rate improvements, it will beat (or at least match) the Steamdeck at similar graphical settings/resolutions at 'low' power settings for longer battery life.

Being a full Windows device, not a SteamOS or whatever Nintendo's OS is, you also have access to ALL Windows PC games inc those that require TPM Secure Boot - games like BF6, BO7, GTAO, Detiny 2, Valorant etc. Also, if you are on Xbox and/or a Game Pass Subscriber, then you may want to keep in the MS gaming Ecosystem as both Windows PC's and Xbox Consoles have a Microsoft OS and use Microsofts DirectX API's.

It may not be a 'Xbox' console, but its is an 'Xbox' PC - where Xbox is the Gaming Brand of Microsoft. The only difference is that Windows is an Open, multi-platform OS - hence you have Windows/Xbox PC, Steam, Epic, GoG, Battlenet etc etc as well - but on Console, you are locked just to 'Xbox' console.

MS were a PC developer but neglected their own PC platform to build their Console to bring their games to a more Mainstream audience with much more affordable Subsidised hardware. A decade ago, the XB1 was 'failing' so MS decided to merge Xbox into their Microsoft business instead of a small side project. That led to ALL games releasing on their PC platform, Play Anywhere & Game Pass and them spending a LOT of money on Studios and Publishers.

Now, they are really focused on making their own PC platform as competitive as possible with other 3rd Party PC platforms who rose up whilst Microsoft themselves were neglecting their OWN platform. You've never 'needed' Steam or Epic to play games on Windows PC, but MS's neglect let the door open...

Now 25yrs later, their Console is optional and not even the cheapest way to play Microsofts Xbox games - cloud is. Playing on a server with built in Xbox hardware on Xbox network/Apps (even if using iOS or Android devices), is still part of the Microsoft ecosystem.

With basically every First Party release and increasing number of 3rd Party games now releasing as Play Anywhere games, some even post release (Hogwarts Legacy), the 'cheaper' Xbox Ally is a better option for Xbox console owner - you may not need to buy ANY games with Game Pass, Play Anywhere, Streaming (inc Stream your Own games) and remote play - but of course the last two are not exclusive to this device as Steamdeck can stream Game Pass through its Browser.

But if you want to play games like Indiana Jones, Expedition 33, Fable, Ninja Gaiden 4, BO7, Keeper on a Handheld and Xbox without needing to buy multiple copies, the Xbox Ally is the only one to choose. If you want a 'different/2nd' Platform to play 'different' games, even if they do have some crossover you'd need to rebuy to play, then Switch or Steam are great options too.

Point is, they made a 'cheaper' Xbox Ally with the same ergonomics and Game Library on the same OS, but to compete with Steamdeck & Switch 2. The RoG Xbox Ally X is meant to compete with Lenovo Go 2 and MSI Claw A8 Z2E processor based gaming Handheld PC's - the 'top of the line' in Gaming Handhelds, not 'Console' tier gaming handhelds - one that is heavily subsidised and very much 'LOCKED' so they make Money on EVERYTHING you spend your money on in it...

@PsBoxSwitchOwner And that OLED screen would likely increase the price they have to sell it for, make it over $1k or, if they decided to keep to $1k, would likely lose out somewhere else as they cut costs.

Its the Cheapest Z2E based Handheld PC on the Market - the MSi is $100 more and the Lenovo Go 2 is over a third more expensive with an OLED screen and neither the MSI or Lenovo have the AI Z2E chip with the AI NPU's - they have the standard Z2E.

Its not a 'Single' Platform made by the Company that owns that Gaming Platform, that will make money from the 'Only' store it really supports. Its not 'subsidised' with a Subscription fee for all features/content to be unlocked (like Gaming online) and will play games the others won't. You can't play BF6 on a Steamdeck or Switch 2 as well as GTA Online. With a steamdeck, you can at least install Windows to play Windows games.

The point of the 'cheaper' Xbox Ally is to 'compete' with Steamdeck/Switch 2 at a 'similar' Price Point but offer better ergonomics and the FULL gaming Library a Windows PC offers - not just Steam. It also is designed more to integrate with your Xbox/Game Pass library as they are NOT on Steam. Yes you may not own many Play Anywhere games, but its better than having to rebuy everything again just to play on a Handheld.

If you have a Steam Library or want to play Nintendo games for something different to your Xbox gaming, then of course they are Great devices and no doubt Subsidised a bit too. However, Handheld PC's - even Xbox branded PC's are more expensive than a Single platform device.

RoG Xbox Ally - competes with Steamdeck, Switch 2 and first Z1E Handheld PC's
RoG Xbox Ally X - competes with other 'high-end' Handheld PC's like MSi Claw A8 and Lenovo Go 2 - and is 'cheaper' than those.

Got my RoG Xbox Ally X today - I pre-ordered as soon as they went live as a replacement to my OG RoG Ally and its a 'massive' upgrade. It may not offer 'much' performance difference at the higher power settings, but a BIG difference at lower settings, the ergonomics, the OS (I know both are Windows, but one boots to Windows, the other boots to Xbox FSE and Optimised Windows. A lot of upgrades - some maybe seem 'small' or not worth paying for 'individually' but the sum of all the upgrades makes it worth the cost to me...

I'm more interested in this weekends Arc Raiders Server Slam test than trying 'old' games...

To be honest, as I'm unsure of the future - whether I'd even buy another 'Xbox' Console or switch to PC, I'm more reluctant to buy games on Console now without Play Anywhere.

Therefore I would love to see more games added - especially older releases retroactively added to Play Anywhere. The more of my existing library that becomes Play Anywhere, the better as far as I am concerned.

Again though, to reiterate, you ONLY get the MS platform version on PC - you don't get the Steam version so can't play on Steamdeck (without installing MS Windows) so its locked to Microsofts Gaming Platforms on PC, Console and/or streaming.

@DonkeyFantasy Not at all - I'm merely pointing out that Xbox and PC have Microsoft OS's and Microsoft API's and BOTH are Microsoft Ecosyystem devices - one Xbox Consoles - which maybe 'assembled' by MS but use AMD, Samsung and other manufaturers for parts and the other assembled by Asus - but ALL are running a Microsoft OS and give you access to the Microsoft gaming Platforms.

The ONLY difference is that a Console is a 'Locked' and 'Single' Platform that's locked to a single store - which in the case of Xbox' would be locked to Microsoft. However Windows and PC are 'Open' and therefore offer 'multiple' platforms. Xbox is on EVERY PC - just Xbox PC (as that is MS's Gaming brand) but so is Steam, Epic etc.

PC's are NOT purely a Microsoft 'product' because they are NOT locked to just Microsoft, but that doesn't mean that they are NOT a Microsoft 'Product' because at the heart of it is Windows OS - a Microsoft Product and so is DirectX API. They still have their own platform on EVERY PC and don't need to rely on 3rd Party Platforms like Sony does to release PC games. Yes they may choose to release on Steam/Epic etc too, but they are alll available in their own PC store, on their own PC platform etc and the Xbox PC's (RoG Xbox Ally's) both boot to Xbox FSE and Microsofts PC Platform.

The ONLY difference is that on Console, you can't load up 3rd Party Platforms but can on PC - but BOTH have Microsoft OS and MS gaming platform. Hence they offer Game Pass PC, Play Anywhere and Day 1 releases - not Steam or Epic versions of those games, Microsofts Xbox (PC or Console) versions.

I wish mine was being 'delivered' today but Asus have sent an Email to say they expect they expect their stock to be delivered tomorrow (17th) to their warehouse for dispatch. I pre-ordered within 20-30mins of Pre-orders going live too...

@DonkeyFantasy Maybe that's why you don't learn anything and make irrelavant posts to people. Maybe if you took the time to actually read what people post before you hit reply to them, then maybe you wouldn't post ill-informed replies...

The TL:DR though is that you are WRONG, because only Switch and Steam are competitors as ALL Handheld PC's are part of the exact same family, not 'competing' platforms. They may 'compete' superficially for sales - like Series S competes with Series X, but both get you into the Xbox ecosystem. Handheld PC's - regardless of whether made by Asus, MSi or Lenovo are all 'PCs' with the MS OS, API's, Game Pass, etc and the SAME Platform...

@WildConcept6 yeah, its taking a while after they abandoned and neglected their own PC platform o bring their games to Mainstream audiences when they launched the Xbox Consolenearly 25 yrs ago.

That left the door open for 3rd Party Platforms to rise and cater directly to gamers - so much so that now, people forget you don't need to log in to steam, epic or whatever PC platform you use as Windows itself is a gaming platform.

About a decade ago, Xbox Stopped being just their Console hardware brand and became their entire Gaming Brand when they merged into MS and now with much more affordable and 'low' powered gaming PC's, there is more need for MS to improve their 'Windows' OS, Optimise it for a Gaming mode, spend time on their PC apps and gaming services as PC's are as 'affordable' as Consoles.

The RoG Xbox Ally's are 'Xbox' hardware runing Microsoft OS's and boots to MS's UI and ecosystem. Its just not their 'Console' platform...

I know its not a Xbox 'console', but this is more proof of it being an Xbox PC and Microsoft improving their own Windows Platform for gaming. I'm sure things like this are a result of 'Xbox' teams verifying and issuing 'compatibility' details for Handheld gaming.

@DonkeyFantasy wrong - the Competitors to the RoG Xbox Ally is the Switch or Steamdeck - all the other 'PC Handhelds' are NOT competing as they basically do the same thing, same library, same core 'MS OS', same ecosystem etc.

If you'd rather own a Z1E Handheld PC, well its still a handheld PC like a Xbox Ally and will get the FSE at some point because its part of the SAME family, not competing hardware.

The point is that MANY reviews have stated that the standard RoG Xbox Ally is in direct Competition with Steamdeck or Switch 2 - but they do NOT play the same games.

Lenovo or MSi or even older Asus PC Handhelds are only competing to spread the MOST Handheld PC's to more and more people. They are NOT competing in reality because it doesn't matter which you buy to suit 'your' preference/budget, you are increasing the number of Handheld PC's on the market, making it a more popular way to game and thus ensuring market saturation.

Its like saying a Series S competes with a Series X because they are both on the market when it doesn't matter which you choose as you are still increasing the 'Xbox' console userbase. It doesn't matter which 'Brand' Handheld PC you choose, you are still increasing the Handheld PC userbase, increasing MS's presence as the OS and UI of the devices - although Windows desktop is NOT a great UI for Handhelds, that can be replaced with Xbox FSE.

The 'Competition' is the Steam OS and Nintendo OS devices, the Steamdeck and Switch 2 - both can be bought a bit cheaper than the RoG Xbox Ally, both great with now years of history and/or updates to really dial in the 'Handheld' experience. Nintendo has the advantage of Games being built specifically for its Hardware and Steamdeck has it beat for price and lbrary, but neither is a decent companion to Xbox as neither is a 'MS' OS based device - unlike both Xbox Consoles and basically every Gaming PC you can buy - Windows/Xbox OS with DirectX, Game Pass, Play Anywhere etc are ALL Microsoft owned so they don't care where you play, as long as you play in their Ecosystem (Windows PC, Xbox Consoles or Game Pass) and not go to 3rd Party Apps or Hardware like Steam, Epic, Nintendo.

The difference between a PC and a Console is that a Console is locked to a single Platform but PC's are a multi-platform device. Steam competes with Windows, with Epic, with Battlenet etc on PC and because MS neglected Windows/Windows gamers for over a decade when they launched their Console, it allowed Steam to become arguably the biggest gaming Platform on PC - aided by Steamdeck too. But MS still has their own Gaming Platform - you don't need to load up steam to game and has Game Pass PC, Play Anywhere and all MS day 1 releases too so ANY Windows OS device is only helping spread MS's gaming platform too - but on PC, its whether or not you 'choose' to use 3rd Party Platforms or use MS's built into Windows....

Kinect was a great idea but let down by the tech of that era - now the software and probably hardware - the cameras and the resolution for accuracy and depth perception, the chips for processing movement and precision required without lag and data transfer speeds/bandwidth required to work with additional hardware has significantly improved over the past decade...

Kinect was a bit clunky and laggy but otherwise, it had benefits - Xbox On, Xbox clip that...

Sony gamers are completely averse to live service games and go into a meltdown anytime Sony try to get in on that - although Helldivers 2 snuck through...

A LOT of CoD players will stick with CoD because that's their favourite game-play loop that others 'try' to copy but never quite deliver because they are putting their own spin and loop in. Battlefield is best in its big Map full Battlefield style Combat and that's not necessarily what CoD gamers enjoy.

I bet a lot of the sales are from Battlefield players who are really happy to have a good battlefield game - a portion of FPS gamers who also want to play the latest good FPS game on the market, but a lot only play CoD as their 'FPS@ game with friends' won't buy.

Its an impressive start but to be Honest, its also the best BF has been at launch - yes there are balancing issues and some 'minor' bugs/glitches' to resolve, but its probably the most solid performing game Dice has released and its gone back to its roots to win back their own Bsttlefield fans - inc the 'casual' fans who join late and play a few hours here and there for 'something' different amongst their FPS games

The difference with the Rog Xbox Ally and its 'various' competitors at that price, they won't be playing games like Battlefield 6, Black Ops 7, GTA Online, Destiny 2 etc and of course won't let you play ANY Xbox game without you having to buy it on their platform inc Game Pass games and Play Anywhere games you may own. Yes it maybe a few, but better than none and growing...

Before Steam or Nintendo bro's reply, I do appreciate they have their OWN platform with a LOT of great games that play very well on the go - especially games built specifically for that hardware - like the Switch 2 has, but you'll have to buy games like Indiana Jones or Doom again if/when they release, but you can play Mario and Zelda at 60fps in glorious colour, Steamdeck too is exceptioinal hardware with its OLED panel but its also showing its age a bit now - great design features, but not as ergonomic as this and you can convert it to a 'Windows' device and runn the Xbox FSE on it if you really wanted - but its not out of the box...

Point is, Microsoft have a PC Platform and Windows has their Xbox PC Platform built in to their OS by default. Its where they Started in Gaming before needing to make a Console to go 'mainstream' and their Gaming brand was 'Xbox' and they focused on that Hardware whilst 'neglecting' their PC Windows platform, but a decade ago, rather than pull out of the Console & gaming space, they merged it into Windows, created Play Anywhere and released on their PC Platform (and others) day 1 too. Game Pass and Cloud followed - Game Pass is another MS gaming Service using their 'Xbox' Platforms to deliver games. Their Game Pass PC games are games linked to their store, so you 'buy' DLC or the game from them at some point and stay on their 'Xbox PC' platform rather than go to steam or epic or...

Xbox stopped being just their Console about a decade ago when Xbox was merged into Microsoft, PC games released DAY1 and Game Pass soon followed - as did all the Studio/Publisher Acquisitions. Their 'Platform' on Windows PC is 'Xbox' as they use their PC 'Xbox' Platform for Game Pass PC games and Play Anywhere Games - they are NOT on Steam or Epic, they are on Microsofts PC platform - 'Xbox'. Xbox is built into Windows already and has been for years - Xbox Bar for example...

Point is, Some can't separate 'PC' from being a 'single' platform instead of being 'multi-platform', even though they are used to steam, epic, battlenet etc they can't 'imagine' windows being a 'platform' too that's open to 'other' platforms like Steam, Epic, Battlenet etc etc. Windows/Xbox are both MS Platforms and Microsoft's GAMING branch is Xbox branded - wherever Microsoft offers its Gaming services (Cloud streaming devices) or is the OS inside the Box and plays Games (Windows PC or Xbox Console) you are already in the Xbox platform even if you 'choose' to leave to play on Steam or whatever other gaming platforms you choose to use on your PC - because Windows Store often sucks for pricing and range of games - but you can buy and 'play anywhere' via the Windows Store versions regardless of whether a PC player will buy/own an Xbox or not - after all there is little point as MS has them on their PC platform if they can encourage them into Game Pass and their PC store to 'rival' steam and epic on their OWN platform...

Its also 'not' an Xbox - but an Xbox Ally X so 'feels' like an Xbox controller in hand and has the Xbox FSE boot up linking you straight to their 'PC Platform xbox' with Apps available to play on other Platforms - and access to more needs the full screen Windows - but these are showing people that their XBOX PC platform exists TOO!!!

Its not an 'Xbox Console' with that 'history', but It is also where Microsoft Started with games and their Flight Simulator IP is a lot older than 'xbox' as a 'brand'. Yes it was just the brand for their Console whilst 'Windows' remained separate, but about a decade ago, Xbox merged into Windows as their Gaming Brand so this 'Windows PC' optimised for 'gaming' on Windows without needing/using apps to get other platforms, then is an 'Xbox PC' as as both the Xbox and Windows team worked together and will continue to work together to further optimise post release....

Looked very impressive and a game I'm interested in, so may well give it a go this weekend...

Typical of Obsidian to make this trailer and seems a sequel to the 'reveal' CGI trailer.

I never finished the first game, don't think I even left the first planet or main area. I don't know that I'll play OW2 and havenn't played Avowed or Pentiment either. The OW2 looks like they've had more time and budget to create the sequel...

@Nightcrawler71 To be honest, I find most Motorsport tracks to be boring with pretty much the same aesthetic and repetitive nature of 'racing'. Yes you may get some differences around the track, but the tracks do blend into each other after a while.

I much prefered games like Rallisport Challenge with so many different types of courses and variety of surfaces for dirt, gravel to ice and tarmac. You also had different types of Races like Point to point timed sections, Rallycross and Rallying. Rallisport Challenge 2 was my favourite racing game...

Now, the only Racing game I play is Forza Horizon as that is more Arcade and offers quite a variety of different activities/races so its not always the same feeling races...

I thought this was common knowledge - at least for those who were around and interested in those military FPS games. Whilst Vince may be talking about his Current Employer, the company and his bosses are all likely to be very different today. EA were once considered the worst Company in the world so its not surprising that some may feel EA screwed them over at some point - either as Dev or a Gamer!