BAMozzy

@BacklogBrad Yeah - probably the 10th Anniversary Edition now 'ported' to PS5 with the settings changed to ouput at higher res and higher frame rate caps too...

I still think that the Coalition and 343i, both now using UE5, should have remade their games in UE5 - not only to get to grips with UE5 in preparation for their next main games, but also to go through those Originals and understand the vibe, the essence of those games that they've 'lost' in their own projects since taking over those IP's from Epic and Bungie respectively.

Gears hasn't had the Horrors of War, the emotional bleakness etc and Halo hasn't been handled well at all and seems like they don't really know the games that made those IP's so beloved in the first place.

Lets be real, Halo:CE today is AWFUL - but it was rushed and jumbled together to be a Launch game. I'd rather they did a reboot than a remake, Make Halo: CE as if it was being made for the first time with modern gamers and hardware in mind...

From my perspective, I feel Cloud is more a supplemental way to play games rather than the 'Main' way to play games. What I mean by that is that you wouldn't choose to play on Cloud - unless its the 'only' option due to your current situation.

I do sometimes stream an 'indie' game because I don't want to waste time downloading/installinng when I'll likely either finish it or had enough after a single session. I've also played a few AAA games (on my RoG Ally/Laptop) because I couldn't wait hours for installation. I've tried a few games on cloud to see if I would be interested in playing more, but will pre-install most Day 1 releases I want to play.

I have the ability to stream to multiple devices but I'd still rather turn on Gaming Hardware and play Natively - that's why I want a Handheld PC despite barely playing 'on the go' when I could get by with just my Mobile. Streaming is great if the Hardware you have is not able to play it 'natively' at reasonable quality/performance, but I think its more the 'budget' option at most but Supplemental for gamers who can't always game on their preferred Hardware.

I think its better than BO6 despite how similar it is - the one big differences that I think has the most impact is the Map design/Layout so the Flow is better than BO6.

I think the rest is solid - if not that different or innovative. I've reached the Level Cap of 20 already and the fact that I keep playing 'just one more' for the umpteenth time maybe is indicative of the reason I voted that its 'quite good to be fair'. I couldn't really vote higher with only a few maps and limited options at the moment - but I do think its a 'better' BO6 - which arguably was the same with MW3 vs MW2. It seems the 2nd year gives them the opportunity to tweak/refine things that didn't 'work' as well - such as the Maps and their design...

I pre-ordered this case when I pre-ordered the RoG Xbox Ally X - thought it made sense to have a decent protective case for it...

Intead of 6 AAA games and 45+ indies/AA games, you will now get 6 AAA games and even more indy/AA games day 1.... LOL

And how many of the AAA Day 1 games will actually be 'ready' and Complete to play on 'Day 1' as a lot seem to require quite a bit of work to bring them up to the standard you should expect day 1, and a lot also seem to have content missing (cut due to pacing? Cut for easier Polishing? Cut to sell later as DLC? ) - to come as DLC (inc in the $100 'Complete' edition).

We didn't want to pay $100+ for games, but to get the complete game these days, it will cost more than $70 - is it worth it Day 1 anymore or better to wait and buy in sales?

Any chance you can highlight the Play Anywhere games in these lists? I may buy games I bought Physically on Xbox if they are Play Anywhere and very cheap now so I can play on the Handheld PC too

More value? how have they added more value for EVERYONE? If everyone played Fortnite and wanted Fortnite Crew, then maybe, but making people pay for stuff they don't want or use is not ADDING VALUE!!!

I still think that this is a step to far - Even if they had to raise the Price, the way they have done it is somewhat unreasonable and unjustifiable.

I can 'understand' them adding Ubisoft+ Classics to offer 'more' games and I expect that Gamers would find at least a few games they 'would' play or already have. That at least can say they offer something for 'everyone'...

Fortnite Crew however is NOT for everyone - its for a Single IP and if you have NO interest in Fortnite, this is an EXPENSIVE addition just for Epic to 'claim' they have millions more Subscribers to their investors. It would make much more sense to offer a 'discount' on the pice of Fortnite Crew to Game Pass Subscribers.

Tariffs will be impacting Microsoft but I doubt its affecting their Digital Services. However, Consoles are NOT exempt from Tariffs and I would also expect that sales through their store are not as high as they were etc because the cost of Living has gone up. Tariffs may not be affecting their Services, but if everything else is dropping in revenue, the only thing they have left to try is their Subsciption prices - athough that can backfire and lose them that 'regular' income stream.

The price has gone up by $120 a year in the US, assuming you cancel and drop down to Essential as its required to play games, they can't guarantee that people will spend $120 on games, let alone the $240 difference between Ultimate and Essential. There are Free to Play games and very cheap games, big Backlogs in peoples Library so they can still enjoy their hobby and keep spending to an absolute minimum.

There are likely some Gamers that cannot afford to spend more money on Gaming right now - $20 a month was their limit so getting new games every month was great but $30 is too much and $10 + buying games isn't viable.

I must admit, I'm considering whether or not to quit Consoles so I don't have to pay ANY Subscription fees to play Online with Friends. I'll see when I get my Xbox Ally X and maybe will game more on my Laptop with its RTX 5060 GPU

@GeeEssEff I can't deny that if things hadn't evolved as they have, I perhaps would have been interested in a Steamdeck or at least the next one. I do prefer it to a Switch/Switch 2 but then Handheld PC's released and I bought the RoG Ally.

I have some reservations over the Legion Go 2 - although its controller scheme seems well thought out for more than 'just' gaming and the 8.8" OLED is incredible, but I expect more power hungry than a 7" LED and it does have a slightly smaller Battery. It has more RAM, but doesn't have the AI NPU and I think the detachable nature of the Controllers looks somewhat clunky. Its also heavier and more Expensive

I also considered the GPD Win5 Strix Halo but too many 'compromises' for all that Hardware Power to be as convenient in one product.

My main issue with a LOT of Handhelds is that they have TINY controls - at least feel tiny to me and very cramped together so I find them awkward/uncomfortable for anything other than 'simple' games like Racing (just accelerate/Brake and steering) for example. So for me, the Xbox Ally X makes sense - its an upgrade over my Ally and that screen was great, more battery and RAM, plus the upgraded Hardware and OS - although that OS will come to more devices in the future.

I play a lot of FPS games as well as 3rd Person Action Adventure games - I want to be able to play Doom, Wolfenstein, CoD - maybe not BF on that small a screen with the 'big' maps, but even Valorant requires TPM secure boot. When I hear that games won't run on a Steamdeck because the games are built for Windows based PC's, doesn't always play well with Direct Storage and other 'issues', it does put me off. Part of the reason I want a 'Windows' Handheld is because its not 'locked' to a single platform, that 'some' games are already playable so I don't need to buy 'more' games or duplicate versions just for a Handheld I may use up to an hour or two a week - something I can switch on, play the games I want to play and then carry on playing on the TV after...

Steamdeck is a great device, but its also not what I want or need and won't let me play 'everything' I want to play or currently am playing. Even if I do cancel Ultimate, I'll still need 'Game Pass' to play games like CoD, BF6, FH6 etc on my Xbox so I might 'buy' games on Xbox because they give me a PC version too (or vice versa)

@GeeEssEff If Steam and Steamdeck works for you - great but as you need 'windows' for TPM Secure Boot, games like Battlefield 6 and CoD may not work on SteamOS and because I do have a 'few' PC games - not just Play Anywhere titles, but I got a few games free with buying Laptops in the past - Dying Light for example on Steam, but never installed/played it.

At the moment, 98% of my gaming is currently on a Console and both PS and Xbox require an 'Essential' tier Sub to play most of the games I play. So even if I do cancel Ultimate and drop down to Premium or Essential, Game Pass is still usable on my PC too. Yes it maybe a much smaller Library and no Day 1, but its still gives me some options to play at NO extra cost.

Of course, I may embrace Steam more in the future and find myself gaming more on my Laptop or even investing in a decent gaming PC I can plug into my TV - leave the Consoles at this 'gen'. I still have all my games and hardware from at least the last 2 gens of Playstation & Xbox.

However, up untill now, I've only used my Laptop and Ally to play Game Pass games when I can't access my TV/Console rather than PC be my 'main/first' choice. With Xbox and Sony releasing their first Party games there more frequently, I don't know that I want 'both' Consoles again and both Subscription just to play with friends like I have for the past 30yrs or so...

@GeeEssEff Not at all - the fact that its still a full PC and not a SteamOS limited device, has a lot more power under the hood for better gamingg performance, and an upgrade over my OG RoG Ally, I see no reason to cancel.

It just means that maybe I won't be using Game Pass Ultimate for Day 1 - but I still need at least Game Pass Essential on Xbox to keep playing all those games I already own and I still own quite a few Play Anywhere games too. It just means that maybe I won't buy my PC games on Microsoft - maybe Steam, Epic, GoG etc instead.

The controller layout is still the most ergonomic as its designed to feel like an Xbox controller in hand - not a 70% scaled down version or designed for thinness over ergonomics like other Handhelds.

Just because it has the Xbox branding and built in collab with MS, its still just a PC in a Handheld form - like buying a Laptop or Desktop Gaming PC to escape the Console traps and charges. When the Hardware and services were 'cheap' - even if software was more expensive and/or behind a sub paywall - it still worked out to be an affordable way to game. But £600+ consoles, mininmum of £7 a month just to play socially and expensive Software, Moving over to the PC entirelydoesn't mean just Steam - and it would include the Windows/Xbox store, just like Battlenet or Betheda.net would be options if they represent the 'best' value at the time - but otherwise, there are a lot of other options.

It just depends on whether I want or willing to go all in on PC or still keep the Consoles (PS & Xbox) for big screen gaming long term. That may also influence where I buy some games because if I want to play on BOTH my Series X and PC, Microsoft store is the only store to offer that but that's no different from deciding whether to buy on Xbox or Playstation - which can be easy if one has extras or is cheaper

I have nothing against 'Steam' as a Platform on a PC, I don't see it any different from any other of the PC options. I just do NOT want SteamOS or a Steamdeck. My RoG Ally is better than a Steamdeck - although at similar 'low' power to a Steamdeck, the performance is comparable - but boost it to 25w and it beats Steamdeck. Steamdeck has big issues with TPM secure boot - so CoD:BO7 and BF6 will be an issue as it relies on Windows!!

Not being blinkered or fanboy over MS, but games from ALL Publishers are built for 'Windows PC', not SteamOS and Steam has to try and 'emulate' Windows - necessary when it grinds a Steamdeck as it hasn't got the power to run both Windows and a Game.

@GeeEssEff If you had read, you'd have seen that's completely the opposite - but then I expect nothing less from you...

@GeeEssEff There is a difference between blaming MS for doing what EVERYONE else was having to do because they were all rising prices, cancelling games, shutting studio's and firing staff - not being 'blinkered' to think its ONLY Microsoft doing something - that they are the ONLY Scummy company who are only focussed on the Money they can extract.

But when they become worse than others, Sony may yet raise their Prices too now and we know they've raised prices on hardware and/or reduced the 'quality/spec' of the Hardware and/or really can't 'justify' their actions, that's where I draw the line.

$20 and the refresh of Game Pass, raising of Hardware prices in the current Economic climate (Consoles are not exempt from Tariffs and that impacts the materials/parts imported to make them, increased shipping/distribution costs etc) and 'restructuring' especially after acquiring 2 very similar businesses each with their own Publishing, Marketing, PR, HR, Management structure etc that all do the SAME Job, then Rationalising makes sense - it always happens within several years usually - depending on how long they were 'protected' for on take-over. Everything else - even the $1k for the Xbox Ally X, which is still cheaper than ALL equivalent hardware specced Handhelds is somewhat justifiable because of looking at things Holistically.

I don't just defend Xbox when it comes to somethings - I do for Sony too and PC gaming where applicable, Nintendo not so much because I haven't owned one for a good few years - but I will also criticise if I cannot see a 'justifiable' reason to have done what they did. I hate that Perfect Dark got cancelled, but after 7yrs and still 'no' clear end date, I'd think I'd cancel and make sure the games that are on track, stay on track, same with Everwild that's gone 'nowhere' since its reveal - Contraband too so they 'make sense' holistically - with 'rising' costs for EVERYONE inc keeping the lights on at Studios.

You have to work to your 'budget' of incomings too and now they are expecting the Customers to increase their contributions but without giving 'enough' to Justify it. Arguably the 'cost' of Fortnite and Ubisoft+ is more than the price hike, but I bet if they'd done their 'research' as they claim, they should have kept those out and kept the price the same. Ubisoft+ I guess does add 'some' small value to everyone as I'm sure they have some games you may play (or already have) but Fortnite is NOT for 'everyone' so why make everyone pay that much extra for it? Maybe offer Fortnite with a Game Pass Ultimate members discount as a perk to get it cheaper per month, but to add it for everyone and increase the price isn't justifiable....

@FraserG I think its a BIG mistake with their Xbox branded Handheld PC launching and of course the growing market of Handheld PC's and cloud streaming devices.

The price hike is more likely to push people out of the Subscription/tier they were in and even push peopple away from their Ecosystem. Why buy CoD for $70 when it costs $10 every month on Essential to play it - buy from Steam instead. $360 a year is a LOT extra for very little in return and other Platforms - PS+ Premium looks better value now than GP Premium (let alone Ultimate) so what 'incentive' are MS giving to their Customers to Subscribe or buy games in their Ecosystem?

75 games Day 1 sounds a lot, but not when 65 of them are indies, and the rest are a mix of average AAA games that may not all appeal or be worth playing Day 1 anyway. It wasn't that long ago the Prices jumped up to $20 so to jump up 50% again so soon, along with all the other price hikes and fact that most Standard AAA games are so 'bare bones' - like they Cut content to sell Premium/Gold/Complete editions and sell 'Game Pass Upgrades' to get the 'full' game, it just seems WRONG!

How much is Satya Nadella on, how much of a Pay Rise will he get? You could save a LOT of money by cutting his salary completely. It just feels 'greedy' by dressing it up as giving you maybe a little 'more' but taking a LOT more in return...

And how many Game Pass Subscribers actually want this?

Seems a MASSIVE hike for something MANY probably won't care about or use...

$120 a year for Essential - required to play games like CoD, Forza, Halo, Grounded etc or $360 a year and don't pay for Day 1 releases. Seems quite a MASSIVE hike for very little added benefits compared to before - and for PC a MASSIVE nerf and Price Hike.

It seems such a wrong time with MS about to release their own Handheld PC with Asus - that would be a great product to sell Subscriptions to - along with all the other new PC's and cloud enabled devices coming to the market.

For $70, I can buy CoD on Xbox but would need to pay $120 a year to play it on Console but I would get the Windows PC version with it or pay $360 for GPU, but I could also just pay $70 on Steam and play it indefinitely on my Laptop or Handheld.

So with their Xbox Ally, what is the incentive for PC gamers to pay $30 for Day 1 releases? Premium seems pointless as you have so many cheap and Free games on PC anyway.

a 50% increase to play some OLD games - many of which can be purchased dirt cheap in a sale anyway. I can see it 'adding' to the Value if the Price hadn't massively jumped up - maybe gone-up by $2-3 a month with the other additions/changes - but I doubt the inclusion of this will suddenly encourage more to sign up to Ultimate - if Anything, I think the Price Hike is more likely to see Cancellations - especially on PC where Subs are not required at all.

On Console, you still 'need' Game Pass Essential to play a LOT of the new releases - like CoD, but not on PC.

To play CoD for example, its $70 for the standard edition - you get that free ONLY with GPU at $30 a month. On Console, even though you bought and own the game, you still need to pay for 'Essential' tier for EVERY month you want to play that game. On Steam, you can play it indefinitely without ANY subscription.

It just doesn't make sense when the 'market' for Subscriptiions looks to be opening up even more with more Cloud and Handheld PC devices coming out yet MS seem to want to put people off from their Ecosystem and push them to others...

It does seem like a BIG MISTAKE with MS about to launch their Handheld PC and of course all the other Handheld PC's and Streaming enabled devices to sell Subscriptions to.

I can't see a point in Essential or Premium Tier services on PC - not with ALL the cheap and free to play PC games available and Ultimate at that price is not very appealing - $360 a year!!!

On console, if you do cancel Ultimate and choose to buy games like CoD for 70, you still need at least Game Pass Essential to play it - even the Campaign. But on Steam, you pay 70 and that's it - no 'monthly' fee to play with friends.

Instead of increasing Subscriptions with their new Handheld PC, I can see them losing a LOT and pushing people to Steam/Epic or even Playstation (although you still need PS+to play a lot of games).

In fairness, for what they are adding to Ultimate - Ubisoft+, I can see a 'small' increase in price but in reality, most of the games are dirt cheap on sale anyway. I have no idea (or care about) Fortnite Crew and what that offers, and GeForce Now is much better for Streaming Quality anyway. Tha ability to 'earn' more Rewards is NO incentive to me.

A 'small' increase in what you get, but a Significantly large increase in cost - and for PC, a Massive increase in cost or massive nerf to their Service. Like I said, with so many cheap/free games and no 'subscriptions' required, Game Pass Ultimate is NOT looking like the best Gaming Subscription service anymore - PS+ Premium is far better than Xbox Premium!

@kantaroo nope - not for Ultimate tier where it hasalways been - they've just added Ubisoft+ (and Fortnite Crew? coming soon) - as well as changed Reward points

That is quite a big Jump up for Ultimate - the tier I sub to - for just Ubisoft+ and the opportunity to earn more Reward points.

I'll see how it goes, but it may well be worth dropping down a tier - maybe the additional Points will help offset some of the Extra cost - but I don't know that I'll keep at Ultimate and may well just upgrade from Premium for a month or two when some games are releasing and drop down again after playing.

I'll see if it makes more sense to buy games 'with Play Anywhere' or keep Subscribing to Ultimate. I know I'd still need Game Pass Essential to play the games I want on Console - so I'll factor in the 'cost' of a year of Ultimate vs a the Cost of the Games I'll likely want to play/buy and a year of Essential too and decide which is the 'better' value to me...

@FraserG I do wonder if we will get games like Spider-Man, Last of Us, God of War etc - games already on PC but not yet ported to Xbox specifically. I wonder if there is enough incentive for Sony to do so.

First off, there is the costs involved in Porting, optimising, releasing and supporting a game post launch to the Publisher and the Publisher (Sony in this case) also will only get 70% of the Price back with 30% going to their Rival and 'bigger' gaming Revenue maker. They can of course avoid ALL of that work and not give MS any 'money' for releasing on their 'Xbox' and sttill sell the game to those 'Xbox' gamers on a 'PC'. I'm sure that sales of Sony games on Epic/Steam will see a bump up when the Xbox Ally hardware releases so boosting Sony's sales revenue at no cost to them.

If the next Xbox 'console' is an Xbox PC with Steam/Epic, what incentive does Sony have to support Microsoft and their store/sub services etc?

Of course I'd love to see Sony be more Consumer focussed but I also think they'd not want to contribute to MS's revenue or 'weaken' their Console Exclusives (or perception of - like MS has where some still think EVERY release is coming to PS at somepoint so why buy?). IF MS is also a more 'open' Platform with games from Steam/Epic etc as well, Sony's more limited Closed platform will need more Exclusives to entice buyers...

@kmtrain83 The difference back then was that console games had to run from Physical media - they didn't have internal Storage until the OG Xbox released but by the PS4/XB1 gen, games have had to be 'installed' so Physical media is just a delivery system - regardless of whether someone prefers that format or not.

Another aspect, certainly where Cartridge based games are concerned, the cost of Manufacture was so much higher and completely unsustainable in an era of Rising costs.

At the end of the day though, we as Consumers bought those games to play on that Hardware - they were specific for that Platform. Those SNES or N64 games only plugged into Nintendo Hardware and you never expected those games to be 'playable' on newer/different hardware.

Even at the start of the XB1/PS4 gen, if you owned games like CoD Ghosts, BF4 or Assassins Creed: Black Flag on the previous gen, if you upgraded, you had to buy again - regardless of whether you bought digitally or physically. Of course some games did come to XB1 when they started their BC programme, but at launch, the systems didn't support BC - despite the 360/PS3 gen really being the 'birth' of Digital purchasing.

Digital has advantages - as long as you have a Digital secure Profile to log into with your Purchase history and Licences all stored with it. MS (for example) sell a 'Microsoft' Game Licence so you can play their 'Play Anywhere' games on any MS platform but others may well be just the Series Console version - but Physical may only have a licence for the Specific Hardware it was released and licensed for.

Makes a change that he didn't mention Banjo or Conker - and now with Perfect Dark being cancelled, how long before that IP is one of the top requests from fans?

Now with Bethesda and ABK under their umbrella. what about games like Prototype, Dishonored or Quake?

@abe_hikura A rise in Sales after it becomes Play Anywhere will surely help persuade other Publishers to consider.

I've put off buying Hogwarts myself on any platform. I didn't want to feel compelled to buy it on PS5 or 'miss out' on something and wouldn't buy a lesser version elsewhere for the same cost. Now the game has Parity, I've considered buying it - but now with Play Anywhere, it kind of tells me where I'm buying it...

@Blurd yeah - I hate searching on Bing - but I don't tend to search on Bing or even bother reading the pages - as soon as I see the reward points have been added, I'll close the page or click on another 'related' search word/phrase just to get the points. If I want or need to search for something specific, I use Google.

The only time I 'engage' with any activity on rewards, is when that activity requires more than 1 answer - the 30point questions. You don't even need to do the Poll or puzzle to get the points, just open the page.

As for gaming rewards, I don't actively try and get maximum points, try and play 4 or 8 GP games for 15mins each week/month or whatever challenges are set, I play the games I want and if I get any rewards, bonus!

I wish I could turn off the AI aspect - maybe I should check the settings LOL - but II've never liked Bing so only 'use' it to get some reward points

@TheGameThrifter You could say that the UI and Console experience has been 'refined' and updated over the past decade or so. I don't know what you think they could add - considering its a 'locked' Console and so aren't opening up that to other retailers.

Most of the additions seem to be more about unifying their entire Ecosystem and improving their 'other' platforms to be more useful and/or more 'console' like.

You don't need 'Steam' Apps and other Storefront access on a Console if those games aren't built to run on that hardware - they were not built for the Xbox/Xbox OS - no point optimising the UI for Controller and a more 'Cohesive' look when the UI was 'built' that way on Consoles to begin with - the Game Bar itself is to make it more 'Console' Like and Xbox doesn't have 'co-pilot' built in.

Most, if not ALL the new PC features are either because the PC is an OPEN platform (and want to keep you in their 'Xbox' UI) or because they are trying to make their OWN PC platform be more Console like. Until either we see them open up their Consoles to other 3rd Party Platforms or get their own PC Platform a lot more optimised and console-like, their own Console UI and features haven't really changed in a decade or more.

I can't think of anything, from a OS Software perspective, that I think Xbox really needs to update or 'add'. You can do everything relatively easily with a Controller and I don't know what other 'features' other Consoles and their UI offer. Therefore, I ask again, what 'new' things do you think MS should be adding to 'Xbox' via a OS Software update?

I know its expensive, but looking at the equivalent Handhelds with basically the same Hardware built in, the RoG Xbox Ally X is $100 cheaper than the MSi Claw 8 and $350 cheaper than a Lenovo Go 2 - all have the Z2 Extreme Chip.

It is still the 'cheapest' Z2E based Handheld PC. The MSi is 10% more and Lenovo 35% more. I don't know how Asus can make money from its customers to offset losses - it doesn't sell games or subscriptions to offset subsidising and MS too can't guarantee everyone will buy from them or sub to Game Pass either...

They at least made a more 'budget' friendly option - if you want the Xbox ergonomics and new OS from launch, but the first gen devices are also cheap and should be getting that OS at some point in 2026. The 'Xbox' branded Handhelds are not the only Handheld PC's that will sync with your Game Pass and Xbox profile/games but the $1k RoG Xbox Ally X is the 'cheapest' Z2E based PC handheld if you 'want' that level of performance.

@Stocksy Obviously not every one owns a Steamdeck and there seems to be a LOT of confusion between that and a Windows PC - understandably as Steam is a well known PC platform, but Steam is not the ONLY PC platform.

Yes I know Steamdeck owners are well aware of the what the benefits of SteamOS is on their device, especially compared to running windows on such a low powered device and its 'Bloat', the more Console like feel etc - but for those coming from an Xbox, as you'd expect many would on an Xbox site, its not going to allow them to play some of their Xbox games or use Game Pass out of the box.

The Steamdeck, Switch and Switch 2 are very impressive Handheld devices and great if all you want is some device to play games on the go - even if that means you have to buy games on another platform to play 'on the go'. PC Handhelds, because they run Windows (a Microsoft OS), will have some 'Xbox' games and Game Pass access so you don't need to buy games again - which can save you money.

SteamOS is great - I won't deny it or say otherwise for Steam and its Games. I doubt MS would have made their 'new' Windows OS if it wasn't for Steam and its OS. PC's and Gaming Laptops can 'brute force' performance with throwing power at big CPU/GPU cores etc but a Handheld 'low power' device, can't waste any power on unneccesary 'Processes' and Windows has a lot that are unneccessary for Gaming specifically. SteamOS is optimised for Gaming so you don't have to deal with 'Windows' and its bloat - but if you are coming from Xbox and expect your Play Anywhere or Game Pass Subscription to let you carry on playing games on the go, then a Steamdeck isn't going to offer that out of the box. As soon as you sign into a Windows PC with your Xbox profile, you'll have games in your library ready to install.

The point I'm trying to make is that a Steamdeck is not the same thing as a PC Handheld, so not an 'alternative' to have the SAME Library and integration with 'Xbox' Consoles/Game Pass Subscribers that Xbox and this site is generally focussed on. A 'cheaper' Alternative to the Xbox Ally X could be a RoG Ally, a Lenovo Go or an MSi Claw - all of which also have Steam too and likely to get the updated 'optimised' Windows OS.

Of course if you want to just play games on the go, not bothered about playing games you own on your Xbox console (this is an Xbox based site so I assume the majority have Xbox hardware, Xbox Games and/or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), maybe even want games you don't have on Xbox, then Steam and Switch/Switch 2 are both very good and very popular options - but I bet a LOT of Xbox owners looking for Handheld would want 'some' (if not ALL) their Xbox Library playable. I'm sure some too would prefer to buy a Steamdeck/Switch because it has unique games they can't play on Xbox and its cheaper than a PC regardless of whether its a Handheld, Laptop or Desktop.

@MinervaX76 I think a LOT seem to think a Steamdeck with Steam OS is somehow the same thing as a FULL PC - not realising that PC gaming is more than just Steam. The Proton Layer that is their way to 'emulate' Windows/DX12 doesn't always work 'well' with EVERY Windows game and another aspect is that these are lower powered devices.

The OG RoG Ally 'beats' a Steamdeck — although its 800p vs 720p or an extra few Frames per second, so not a major win, if you 'limit' the RoG Ally to a similar Power level 15w. However, it can be boosted to 25 or even 35w - but then your end up with shorter Battery life. The new Z2E is even more efficient at low power and the Windows new OS is not so Bloated, so I'd expect a bigger difference between these.

I'm sure the Steamdeck is Great for those that are predominently a 'Steam' gamer and not bothered by Game Pass, Play Anywhere or any of the OTHER PC platforms - like Epic, Battlenet or GoG. It won't integrate with your 'Xbox' Library or Saves - so if you own Indy, Avowed, FH5 etc on Xbox digitally, you won't get the 'Steam' PC version, just the Microsoft PC version and your Save/Achievements/Friends etc are not on Steam either.

As for cost, yes it is expensive, but its still the 'cheapest' Z2E PC handheld - MSi is $100 more and Lenovo is $350 more - but still 'cheaper' than most Gaming Laptops which really aren't that well designed for Gaming on the go. These are PC's like a Laptop or Desktop Gaming PC - just designed more for 'Gaming' like a Console.

Just read through the comments and its clear that some think a Steamdeck offers the same features and/or will give them access to the SAME Library of games. Install the same OS on a Steamdeck to get the same features and its an underpowered 'brick' compared to the OG Ally, let alone the new gen. Switch 2 won't get many new releases and if you want to play 'indy' on the go, you'll need to wait until it releases and buy again. Want to play it on Steamdeck well you need to buy from Steam - regardless of whether you bought it on Xbox or play it via Game Pass - same with Doom or FH5...

Each to their own of course, but I don't really think it's 'over-priced' when you look at the Current Market and compare it with other Handheld PC's. You can buy a cheaper Xbox Ally or even last gen Z1E Handheld PC's quite a bit cheaper that offer the same Library and Access to all the PC platforms - not just Steam.

@JumpingJackson Its a Handheld PC - you can switch between Windows Desktop mode and Gaming optimised mode (on the Xbox Handheld PC's - although that will come to others later).

Its a full blown PC but as MS own Windows and Xbox, the OS is a bit more Collaborative' between those teams and of course it has Xbox branding and the Xbox controller 'feel' and layout - but its still a PC - like a Laptop or Desktop PC. The UI boots to Xbox Full Screen Mode and that will link to all installed games, but you can go to the full Windows and use it just like your PC if you want...

That's what separates it from Consoles and some other devices - its not locked to any single storefront, but Xbox is NOT just their Console or ONLY platform - they do have Xbox on PC and Cloud platforms too and their UI is obviously linked to their storefront and Game Pass. Because this is a 'gaming' PC, Asus, a PC builder, collaborated with Microsoft and their Xbox Gaming Division to mtry and make the 'best' Gaming PC Handheld they can and so its ergonomics and OS are more 'Console' like but its still a Gaming PC in a handheld form factor and has the same Library as any Gaming PC/Laptop.

I pre-ordered the RoG Xbox Ally X and the 2-in-1 Hardshell case as an upgrade to my RoG Ally. I think the Price is very competitive with the new generation of Handheld PC's that have the SAME Library as Gaming Laptops/PC's. Steamdeck is NOT a full Windows PC (unless you install Windows) so can't play Game Pass Games or 'Play Anywhere' PC games. You can stream using Steam's Browser, but you can stream to your Mobile Phone. SteamOS basically locks you to Steam ONLY! - like Switch locks you to Nintendo ONLY or Playstation locks you to Sony ONLY.

The Switch and Steamdeck are great if you only want to play Nintendo Switch or Steam released games. I also want to play Games my Game Pass Ultimate Subscription lets me Download and play - if I want to play games like Indiana Jones, FH5, BO7, Avowed, Outer worlds 2, Fable, Ninja Gaiden, Clockwork Revolution, Gears: E-Day or reloaded etc etc on a Steamdeck (or Switch 2) to play 'on the go', I'd need to rebuy but on a Handheld PC, I can download 'FREE' via Game Pass (or Play Anywhere if I choose to buy) and seemlessly carry on playing on my Series X or Laptop when I get home.

These handhelds are more comparable to Laptops and Desktops. Just more Portable and a lot easier to use 'Anywhere'. Laptops may have more 'power' but really require plugging in to play and a decent table to put it on. You can't very easily balance it on your Lap and in the back of the car whilst trying to use a mouse or Controller. A Laptop is more portable than a desktop, but you either need to take a mouse or controller too. They are heavier/bigger and not ergonomic for use on the go.

So at the end of the day, this being the Cheapest of the next gen AMD Z2E Handhelds, the only one with AI too - but MSI do an intel based version and the only one releasing with the Optimised for gaming Widows OS and a full size Controller layout designed to 'feel' like an Xbox controller in hand, it made the most sense to me...

With more and more Handheld devices coming out, the need to scale games across a wide variety of Hardware is important. The Series S isn't the weakest hardware on the market. Steamdeck and Switch 2 are not as powerful as a Series S - so if they are looking to 'optimise' games to run on these systems, it bodes well for ALL platforms...

I'd say, based on the history of CoD campaigns, that BO7 seems to be one of the most Experimental. It has Co-op and has an 'end-game' mode too as well as its own MP style Camo Grind - it almost seems like DMZ could be returning in Campaign form.

Fortunately, this is on Game Pass so every subscriber can try for Free and decide if it's worth continuing with or even worth buying to own...

I pre-ordered the 2-in-1 Hard case along with my RoG Xbox Ally X

Until it arrives, I don't know if I'll want or need to buy additional storage or expand the SSD so I'll see how I use it and buy storage if I deem it necessary.

@Beckerjr No - no it doesn't!! Not even close.

I have a RoG Ally and it 'beats' a Steamdeck because it has better hardware in 'general' - however, Windows (and its bloat with unneccessary processes running in background) has a impact when running games at 'similar' power draw to a Steamdeck. If you stick to 12-15w mode on a RoG Ally, then its 'comparable' to a steamdeck with Steam OS, although run Windows on a Steamdeck and it can't compete with a RoG Ally running the SAME OS. RoG ally can be boosted up to 25 or even 35w to push past Steamdeck performance.

Steamdeck is also locked to Steam and you don't get Game Pass or Play Anywhere games - not unless you install Windows - which as I said the Bloat 'nerfs' a Steamdeck. I have NO Steam games so don't want/need a Steam only device. I want a FULL windows Handheld so I have the FULL PC gaming options and the 'Microsoft' Ecosystem where I have Game Pass Ultimate and numerous Play Anywhere games I can instantly access at NO additional cost.

The Z2E chip is a LOT more efficient at 'low' power and the new OS is much more optimised for gaming so boosting Performance significantly over Steamdeck. Steamdeck is not that powerful - its 'helped' by its Steam OS but install windows and it struggles with games that a RoG Ally running windows plays reasonably well....

A Switch 2 is cheaper again and a very capable handheld - like Steamdeck, but won't get many new releases Day 1, certainly doesn't integrate with the Microsoft ecosystem so I'd have to 'rebuy' games to play and locked to Nintendo. You can stream 'Game Pass' to a Steamdeck through its browser, but can't install games or access your Play Anywhere games, unless you install 'Microsoft Windows'. This is like a Laptop/desktop PC in a Handheld form factor - not a single Platform device like Consoles (inc the Steamdeck)

I'm glad I got my pre-order in if they are selling out that quickly.

Of course it tells us nothing about the 'numbers', but they are likely only selling what they anticipate will be available by the release date. Each region would be allocated a certain number - distributed to a handful of retailers but its still quite impressive to hear they're selling out before release - just hope not to Scalpers!!

For comparison, the equivalent handhelds to the Xbox Ally X cost more - the MSi Claw is $1100 and Lenovo Go is $1350 and neither has the 'AI' cores. The top Steamdeck is $650 and Switch 2 won't get many of the latest 'new' releases - certainly not Day 1.

Each to their own, but handhelds aren't 'cheap' and mobile phones can cost more than a handheld Gaming PC...

Pre-ordered my Xbox Ally X...

The rest of the year has quite a few First Party releases but I'm more interested in some of the 2026+ games - FH6, Fable, Clockwork Revolution and of course Gears: E-Day.

No doubt there will be a Halo release of some description in the 25th Anniversary year of Xbox and other surprises too.

Of course its Positive and spin but what do you expect them to say in Asia and at their own Showcase. Of course they want to spread some Positivity and highlighting the region they are in.

Being at the very bottom in Asia too is likely to see more growth with more products aimed at that market in particular - even if it doesn't have any impact on their other Markets. Considering how 'few' Asian Devs would release their Asian games on Xbox, the fact that more and more are choosing to is 'growth'.

Even if it doesn't translate to growth in other markets or other areas, its still something that any Business trying to promote themselves and their products would cherry pick for a showcase. Its like saying they've shipped a million Consoles, but how many of them are sat in Wholesalers waiting for retailers to order more stock, how many are sat on Store shelves? Businesses count 'sales' as those they sold direct to wholesalers and retailers, not the 'sale' to the customer. Its sold from their perspective, even if it hasn't yet been sold on to a Gamer.

Point is, this isn't a Business presentation, its a Showcase to promote their 'brand' and the Products coming to it so they will cherry pick Positives and present them with little/no context - such as seeing more and more Asian Devs releasing games on Xbox - no context as to whether that made a big difference in other areas - like sales of hardware, software and/or subscriptions in those markets (or other regions) too - its just something to sound 'positive' and 'Promoting' their brand...

@RagnarLothbrok @Feffster MS aren't concerned with selling the 'most' hardware - but that doesn't mean they are not concerned with selling ANY Hardware. The Console (in the Xbox Ecosystem) is not their ONLY platform they want to get you into - they also have their OWN PC platform and their own 'Cloud' platform. They also have their own Sub Service (Game Pass) on ALL their Platforms.

Therefore, they want you to buy their Console or Subscribe to Game Pass, Buy their game(s) through their Store (for Play Anywhere) and get you into their 'ecosystem'. Sony and Nintendo ONLY have their Console as their ENTIRE ecosystem. Sony uses 3rd Party PC Platforms like Steam and Epic for PC releases but MS has Game Pass PC and their OWN store. You don't get the 'steam' version with Play Anywhere and Game Pass is the Microsoft Store version.

The point of 'exclusivitty' is to get you into the Ecosystem - for Sony and Nintendo, that means getting you to buy 'their' Hardware ONLY. For Microsoft, you can buy their Hardware or Subscribe to Game Pass on whatever devices you have or even just buy a Windows PC and you are using MS OS and API's, your Play Anywhere PC versions are MS platform versions so you are in the MS ecosystem. Exclusives will bring gamers into that Ecosystem - either by buying Hardware, Windows PC (for which MS receives money) or Subscribing to Game Pass to play those games.

The 'console' is NOT important to MS in the same way that it is for Sony and Nintendo as its their ONLY platform. Microsoft can still beat both Sony and Nintendo with gamers in their Ecosystem - PC, Cloud and Console.

You don't 'need' an Xbox to play Xbox 'Exclusives' in the Xbox Ecosystem. If I play FH6 on my Samsung TV via Game Pass Cloud or on my RoG Ally PC via Play Anywhere or Game Pass, I'm still in the 'Xbox' ecosystem earning Achievements and able to see what all my Xbox friends are playing because its all the same 'Platform', just different hardware to access it - which is why the Console isn't solely important - its important as a 'option' for gamers that prefer the Console format and pricing, but so is Game Pass or Cloud or their OWN PC platform.

You have to remember that Microsoft started of as a PC Game developer and only brought the Console to market to make PC gaming more affordable and accessible - hence they built their OG Xbox more like a PC with built in Hard-drive and Modem. Now 25yrs later, Affordable PC's for gaming 'exist' so PC hardware are far more accessible - from 'Steamdecks' and handheld PC's to Laptops and high-end gaming rigs - A lot these days have 'decent' GPU's built in to play games.

Doom (OG) required a very expensive PC to play when it released at 'reasonable' frame rates, yet Doom: the Dark Ages runs perfectly well on a £500 handheld PC.

Exclusivity is about getting you into their 'ecosystem' so you buy and play more games on that platform, the Hardware was often sold at a loss and why games cost more and Online Social gaming Subscriptions are required. They want you into their ecosystem but for Sony/Nintendo, that means just their Console but for MS, the Console is only a part of their ecosystem, not the entirity of it. They still 'need' exclusives to get you into that Ecosystem - but you don't necessarily need their Console...

Makes sense - Microsoft still needs 'exclusivity' to sell Hardware and Subscriptions to Game Pass - much like Sony's own PC strategy.

The difference is that MS has more than 1 Platform - Console, PC and Cloud, but Sony only has their Console. MS also has more multi-platform IP's - Minecraft, CoD, Doom etc vs Destiny & MLB - but doesn't mean ALL their games will release Day 1 on PS. I can't see Forza Motorsport being ported as I don't think it will sell enough to cover the cost of porting - not with direct competition from GT and I doubt their Loyal fanbase would buy Forza.

Whether its just 6months (like Indy) or longer, I would expect that many Xbox games will have some Exclusivity to 'sell' Hardware & Subscriptions and after 6months+, its the 'new' exclusives that push sales. Unless its a multi-platform IP, a Live Service that ill benefit from launching everywhere day 1 or an OLD game being re-released, I expect at least 'timed' exclusivity.

Most free to play games have a 'Premium' tier so I wonder if they are counting Premium tier as the Game Pass offering...

@GeeEssEff yes - because they are playing MORE games. Its simple - if you play nearly double the games a month, you end up spending 'less' time in each of those games per month too - you do what you 'wanted' and move on to the next where as others do what they want and play a bit more because they haven't got 'other' games to play....

I bet most were playing whatever great games were out in that month and only dropping into to CoD to do their 'daily' missions or so because they had 'more' games to play.

So if PS is averaging 12.7hrs - 5hrs 'more' than on Xbox in that ONE specific game - its because they spend those '5hrs' in another game (or two) they spread their time out over 'more' games so spend 'less' time in 'each' game - they still have the SAME amount of 'Game Time - which is NOT Hardware dependent BTW!!.

Its showing that because Xbox has access to 'more' NEW games without a pay wall, they spread their time out over 'more' games than Steam which is a bit Cheaper than Playstation for games. Playstation gamers are playing 'fewer' games but can spend more time in each - why Steam gamers are in-between the two in both cases.

All this shows is that Xbox gamers spend their gaming time in 'more games' every month but can't give each game as many 'hours' each month where as those who play less games have more 'time' to give to each game...

@GeeEssEff Spending more time per game overall each week - Like I said, if you play more games, you have less time to spend in each every week...

Do the maths - if you play 6 games a week in your 42 hours of gaming time, you'll only spend an average of 7hrs per game but only play 3 games that week, then of course you Average hours per game will go up to 14hrs per game. That doesn't matter whether you play on Xbox, PS or Steam.

All this says is that because Game Pass 'exists' Xbox gamers play 'more' games a month but spend less time in those games where as Playstation gamers play fewer but spend a bit more time in those 'fewer' games every month on avg. It makes sense because they spread their limited game time over 'fewer' games than Xbox gamers do...

Again - an Xbox gamer plays 42hrs a week over 6 games - avg is just 7hrs per game - a Playstation gamer ALSO plays 42hrs a week but only play 3 games, therefore their average game time would show they are spending 'more' hours in 'each' game every week.

These are weekly averages and CoD was just an example of A game where the averages indicate that Xbox gamers spend fewer hours in CoD weekly, but are playing more games - those extra games still take up 'gaming time' that a Playstation gamer is spending on CoD. You can't play two games simultaneously...

Thats the point. If the Average gamer spends 42 Hours a week gaming, an Xbox gamer is playing 'more' games so 'fewer' hours per game per week, a Playstation gamer is playing fewer games so more hours 'per game per week'

That closing statement is someone not 'understanding' or leaving their statement somwhat ambiguous - This is all pretty interesting stuff, and it reaffirms the notion that Xbox Game Pass leads to players trying out a greater variety of games - even if that means they don't put as many hours in per game overall - because they are spending that time in 'different' games that PS and Steam aren't.

GThat is why there is a Direct Correlation - more games mean fewer hours spent in each, fewer games, more hours per game - both may spend EXACTLY the same amount of Hours gaming, but because you have 'more' games to play, you can't spend as much time in each. If Xbox gamers spent the same amount of time per game and played more games too, they'd be playing a LOT MORE hours on their Platform than Steam or Playstation. Its basically saying that Xbox gamers spread their gaming time playing 'more' games overall than spend the SAME time over just a few games.

People are more limited by their Gaming time with Work/School and whatever other responsibilities they have and that's the same across all platforms. The fact is, if you only play 1 game, all your time is spent in that - play 2 and immeditely your 'average' game time is half. play 4 and its a quarter per game than if you only played 1 because you still have the same amount of Game hours every week...

@GeeEssEff My point still stands - it doesn't matter what Platform a Gamer has, they still have a 'limited' time to game. Lets say the Average Gamer plays 42hrs a week or 6hrs a day. Doesn't matter what Platform you have, you still can only play 42hrs a week Average.

However, it seems that those on Xbox are spending their time across 'more' games a week. They are playing 6 games a week so the 'avg' will be lower per game (42/6 = 7hrs avg per game). However, if you only play 3 games a week in your 42hrs of gaming - you spend an average of 14hrs a week in those 3 games. You maybe playing 'fewer' games but not really gaming 'more/less' - you still spend roughly the same amount of hours every week 'gaming'.

What I am saying is that Gamers have a fixed amount of Gaming time and would be the same 'regardless' of their choice of Platform. All this shows is that Xbox gamers 'choose' to play more games in their limited time which means they avg 'less' time per game each week where as Playstation gamers play 'fewer' games every week, but spend more time in each game - but ultimately fill their 'gaming' time playing games.

Again I am aware that those are 'Average' time spent each week on a specific title. But like I said, if you play 6 games that week, the average is going to be lower on 'each' game that week than if you only play 3 games. The Platform is 'irrelevant'. If I choose to spend my 42hrs a week in 1 game on Xbox, I've averaged 42hrs that week in that game. If I play 2 games, the average drops to 21hrs per game, play 6 and I averaged just 7hrs per game.

Point is that Xbox gamers are playing 'more' games - perhaps because of Game Pass, but doesn't mean that Xbox gamers are somehow 'better/worse' than say Playstation gamers who play fewer games every week - BOTH could spend the same amount of time gaming EVERY WEEK.

If you think about it, most people only have a certain amount of hours to game a week so if you only have 30hrs a week to game, if you play 'fewer' games that week, you'll spend more time in those games.

With 30hrs, if you play 6 games a week, that's 5 hours avg per game, but if you only play 3 games, then you avg 10hrs per game.

You can have the same Total time - but one looks like they play fewer games but spend more time in each game or play more games but spend less time in each. Doesn't mean that either is better/worse or that a certain platform is somehow 'better' as a result.

It's just differences between how Gamers 'choose' to spend their Limited Game Time - whether you prefer to experience/play more Games but spend a bit less time in each every week or focus more on a Couple of Games so can spend more time in each...

Looks stunning but then so does Hellblade 2 and that is a more interactive 'Film' like experience rather than a 'Game'.

To be Honest, I am NOT a fan of Kojima's games at all. I can't deny that they have generally been graphically impressive - for their time, the game-play and humour doesn't appeal at all. I doubt I'll even bother with OD or Physint on PS just because they are Kojima games...

@OldGamer999 LOL - I played the Beta of BF6 because it was Free and will certainly wait to jump into BF6 - we still know nothing about how they plan to monetise their post launch content/support for example, let alone anything about the campaign.

BO7 is 'free' on GPU so I don't have to think whether or not to buy, I can play it regardless and so, I'll be much more likely to be playing CoD myself - I also really enjoy Zombies and rarely play MP these days - in any game. I prefer Solo or Co-op Game-play so I'm quite interested in the Campaign this year and its 'end game' mode.

IF I do buy BF6, it will likely be because it was on sale at a great price before it arrives on EA Play but I won't pay launch price money for it...

@OldGamer999 It does - but it has Competition EVERY year with new FPS games and ongoing Free to Play games. Battlefield though is a very different FPS game to Call of Duty - even if they share the modern military setting.

Call of Duty is much more Arcade - its more like a Paintballing Competition between small Squads than all out warfare. It has more in common with games like Doom or Halo but without the 'sci-fi'.

Battlefield is much more Physics driven (no Hitscan) and Combined Arms Warfare - Delta Force and even Star Wars Battlefront (unsurprisingly) have more in common than CoD - I see it as a more 'accessible' Military Sim where as CoD is more your fun, arcade style game-play.

I don't think many CoD gamers will get that same experience playing BF (and vice versa). Of course Some crossover will occur, but if you prefer CoD or that more Arcade style with Killstreaks, Battlefield is not going to deliver. Just like CoD can't compete on that Combined Arms Battlefield experience with Destruction...

CoD is on Game Pass too - Battlefield isn't. Whilst it might be out sooner and people have actually 'played' the MP, this is CoD's first real reveal of any MP let alone Zombies - the two modes that the majority of CoD fans spend their time. The lack of any real info maybe 'hurting' CoD in the 'pre-order' charts as many haven't seen, let alone had a chance to play a MP map or Zombies yet so not willing to pre-order for some BO6 cosmetics.

It will be interesting for sure - but I do think CoD will be more popular than BF6 over the year - Even games like Ghosts or Vanguard still did 'better' than BF3, BF4, BF1 or BFv for example and BF3/BF4 are often regarded as the Peak of the Franchise and why BF6 is very BF3 like....

I do think BF6 is likely to be the 'best' Battlefield Game in years, if not of all time - although BF:BC2's Campaign may well still remain the 'best'...

CoD is for many their Comfort food so to speak - they whinge/whine about it but as soon as another FPS comes out, they all want it to be CoD but without SBMM, Outrageous Cosmetics (even though they buy 'some' inc Blackcell, but dislike a few) or better 'Anti-cheat' which being the biggest and most popular FPS attracts more Cheaters like a Moth to a Flame.

I think you can enjoy both as both offer very distinctly different FPS game-play loops. I don't think CoD Gamers will get what they want from Battlefield, just like Battlefield gamers don't get what they want from CoD. Therefore, I expect CoD to be 'most' popular as it always is , but Battlefield will also be successful and not be another 2042. It may well pull a few from CoD, but also some from Delta Force, older Battlefield/Battlefront games, Apex/Fortnite/PUBG/ARMA etc as well, but when CoD launches, the majority of CoD gamers will still buy/play...