@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...
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....
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!
I'm somewhere between Never and only Certain Titles because I have and would replay Certain Titles IF they were fully remade and expanded and/or amended to bring something New to the game so its not 'exactly' the same with just a 4k/60 (or 120) and slightly higher polygon ount and higher quality textures (probably the 'Originals they had to 'reduce' in quality for that generation.
I don't enjoy movies or cover versions of songs that basically copy the Original as closely as they possibly can. I don't want the 'same' experience I had back then and I won't get the 'same' experience now just because it 'looks' and plays better. Its still an OLD game and so many 'newer' games have expanded and built upon those old games that they feel 'old' and 'dated', in need of a 'remake', built with the masses of resources they have access to today, not limited and restricted by old hardware to really make the game as they really envisioned or would make today....
I completed everything in the main game so have never felt the need to return - although I have been tempted by the DLC but as time goes on, its not been a priority...
@smoreon Only notifications I get are the ones telling me I have enough points to redeem for a £25 gift card after making ANY purchase on Xbox. As soon as I get the points from Purchasing added to my tally, it automatically generates that message.
Of course I have enough points, I have nearly 200k at time of writing - about 1k pts to go. Thats enough for 7-8 £25 gift vouchers so I should think I have 'enough' points without being told I have enough points after every purchase - even those I used 'some' points to convert to money to pay for the item...
Enjoyed the Beta but it felt a LOT like BF3 - arguably one of the best eras of Battlefield - but also plays like Battlefield. Its not that innovative, more like they've tried to get back to what made Battlefield as big as it was - and quite successfully. Although still can't manage to do a campaign as memorable as BF:BC2.
With their BR mode coming and we still don't really know how they intend to monetise Post Launch content etc, I am still reluctant to buy. I do enjoy MP - the Big Map modes as a change of Pace and different style of Game-play loop from other FPS games, but its not my 'favourite' in terms of gunplay, movement and moment to moment action. Its always been that 'something similar, yet very different' FPS game when I need a change to avoid burn-out and/or frustration...
The games looked incredible on my RoG Ally (OG) considering its form factor and equivalent devices. As someone that grew up before even the Gameboy era and remembers Nintendo Game & Watch games, to see games running on a Handheld device that you'd only expect to see on 'big' Hardware with huge relative Power/power consumption is remakable.
I struggle to use my RoG Ally - not because it isn't capable, but because of the ergonomics and desiign philosophy of Handhelds - that small, slim device leads to compromises on the ergonomics. You can't have big comfortable grips to hold on to if you want to keep it 'slim' and better to shrink the thumbsticks and all buttons/controls to 70% scale to reduce size etc. However, I find both exceptionally uncomfortable/awkward to use as my Muscle memory is established on full size controllers.
I have had drift issues, most notably on the Left thumbstick probably due to the click/hold to run mechanic - but that was years ago. I would prefer Hall effect, but I expect to upgrade before I need to replace due to issues. I don't expect it to be 'competitive' or 'worth' repairing in 4-5yrs time - it will probably be worth 'upgrading' to a newer Handheld PC.
As stylisic as the game was - some may love that ttype of Aesthetic - it neverr had any Substance to what the Game-play aspect was. It was 'sold' on its looks alone and the past 5-10yrs have been spent trying to decide what game to build with this aesthetic....
@Fiendish-Beaver I'm in my my mid 50's too so not into ultra-competitive game-modes but love playing Zombies and Warzone Casual which has few actual Human Enemies - until the end phase, but if you've survived that long, you have decent weapons/perks to compete.
I log into CoD daily and do the Daily Zombie challenges (Solo) then jump into Warzone and/or MP for a 'few' matches. I don't know if the end game is strictly co-op or whether it will be playable Solo. Of course Call of Duty, known for its Online Social Gaming may well present just 'co-operative' game-play, but could allow you to play Solo - like DMZ or Zombies.
I'm not too keen on the 'hallocenegenic' campaign missions, I've never finished BO3's campaign (I think it was BO3 that was 'trippy' - but I think they are all mostly Hollywood's view of what a 'war' is - that small 'squad' taking on entire nations armies or private well equipped merceneries with just a basic 'small arms' loadout against tanks and Helicopters but still 'entertaining' to play through...
@Fiendish-Beaver I will be playing the campaign - at least I intend to start playing and if it keeps my interest until the end, great. The Campaign, as I understand it, can be played Solo - just like Gears of War, but can also be played co-operatively. I don't know what the 'end' game entails and whether orb not that can be played Solo too, but I will never play a Co-op Campaign without first playing it through Solo.
Nothing annoys me more than other players rushing through co-op campaigns as quick as possible, talking over game dialogue or having their 'own' agenda.
I will certainly be playing Zombies - mostly Solo as I never play with Rando's and Warzone Casuals - at over 50, I don't really want to play ultra competititive people etc. I enjoy a bit of MP - usually Hardcore as its a case of get the first bullet on target to win - to get daily challenges done, but I don't play MP that much...
@MrStark It's that aspect, having to use the 'credit' within a set-time, that really annoys me about these. I only use my points now when I remember just before 'buying' a game - I'll only convert enough to pay for the majority of the game without going over, and pay the rest with cash - it can be nice paying just 2.97 for a 52.97 bundle for example.
@Kaloudz Yeah I really enjoyed the Beta - both the MP and Zombies. Both seem a lot like BO6 but with more refinement and tweaks - the best change though is their Map Design and return to more traditional 3 lanes which really does improve the flow and alleviates some frustration.
The campaign does seem somewhat 'misleading' for the rest of the package - but I do like the idea of it being playable co-operatively and has an 'end-game' mode too. I do like Linear great story single player campaigns, but I also appreciate them trying something different, experimental.
Many don't even touch the Campaign and few of those that do actually complete it so them trying something different with its co-op option, own Camo grind and end game may get more people playing it.
I still haven't finished BO6 campaign or MW3's or MW2's before that. I'm currently enjoying the Haunting event in BO7 and over 80% complete on this seasons BP too - mostly from Zombies and Warzone...
I'll be playing BO7 in November - whether I choose to keep Ultimate or decide to drop down a tier or two. I've played BO6 pretty much 'daily' even if just for an hour or two to get Daily missions completed so I'll get my value from all the hours I'll play over the year.
I played the Beta and whilst I will say its the 'best' BF MP I've played, probably since the BF3/4 era of Battlefields, I don't think it offers the best Campaign and we still don't really know how their Post Launch content and its monetisation will look.
I don't buy games at launch as I think that's ALWAYS the worst time to buy. The Price is at its highest, content at its most basic and/or the code is often at its least Optimised too. With games costing over £50, now £70 at launch, I really see no reason to buy until its on sale or offered in a Sub tier. I also dislike the 'benefits' to PS users over those on PC and Xbox so I refuse to 'buy' on PS to support that practice - just like I nevber bought Hogwarts - although still considering buying it 'now' on Xbox with Play Anywhere.
Play Anywhere too will factor in to my Gaming purchasing in the future as I intend to play 'more' on PC's - and I think MS will eventually (if not 'next' gen) will only make 'PC' hardware. I think their 'console' (in design) will emulate Series Xbox so all their 'old' games, games you can play today on Series Hardware from the handful of OG Xbox games, 360 to XB1 and Series Games. But all 'new' Xbox releases will be 'Windows Xbox PC' games - games you can run on 'ANY' Windows PC, not just their 'own' Console.
The reason, they are already making games for PC and so don't need to port and optimise to a second Platform at extra cost and all their games are 'Play Anywhere' so cutting the 'Console' costs would be a big Financial reason. Their work with Asus on Windows too, in collaboration with the Xbox OS team, will help them 'optimise' Windows for gaming and provide a 'console' like interface.
To me, the RoG Xbox Allys are indicative of their future so unless Games have Play Anywhere and/or at a reasonable price to 'me', I'm not buying 'new' games.
@TrollOfWar Each to their own dude... I like Digital more at the moment but that's because I'm Jumping between Hardware and its so much easier to have your games on various devices/platforms and to be able to play without needing a 'physical' key to access.
Just going between my Xbox Series X and RoG Ally or Laptop PC is so easy and neither my PC's have Physical drives for Xbox discs. But because I bought Digital, I have games I can install and play natively anytime I want. even swich between games (or hardware) without needing to use any Physical keys to play.
When I upgraded from XB1X to XSX, all my Digital games were instantly in my Library ready to install and play. Pro's and Cons to both Physical and Digital it just depends on which works best for you. I haven't bought 'Physical' games since probably Dead Space remake and don't think I will again. I rarely play my Physical collection because it involves swapping Discs every time where as my Digital games are instantly playable...
To me, the modern day 'Cartridge' is basically the Plug-in SSD Storage cards on Xbox. You can install ALL your Digital games on the SSD and as soon as you plug it in, you can load into any of the games straight away, switch between them easily etc and then replace the Card for a completely different Library as Console internal Storage is a bit 'limited' - modern Handhelds use Cards as games and/or extra Storage...
@Coletrain I don't know that I'd use Frame Gen, I'd ratherhave 40fps and VRR than the game running at 38fps but looking like its running at 76ish fps.due to increase latency and 'slight' cost of generating frames.
I'm OK with using Upscaling methods to deliver Higher Frame Rates than Native 1080p and FSR 3.0 isn't that bad on a BIG screen, let alone 7" one.
I've never messed around with Sharpening, the games have not looked like they need it and I don't like the artefacts if over sharpened...
I'm not convinced the Console market will be the 'best' option for next gen. Obviously if you have existing Libraries on those platforms, carrying them forward is a massive incentive to keep you locked in, keep you paying monthly Subs for Social gaming and access to all content/features at the very least.
If Microsoft were to release a 'PC' in a Console like format designed for living under a TV in a living room setting, with a built in chip that 'emulates' their Series X console (all games and BC games series X plays, the Series X versions) so it carries forward my Xbox Console Library, I'd leave the Console space regardless of what Sony/Nintendo do.
I'd rather save the 'Essential' tier fee and Hardware costs on a Console to spend more on PC hardware and Sony releases their games on PC eventually so I'd have more than enough Great games to play. If MS's PC incurs a Sub thoughfor Online access, or BC with previous consoles, I'd consider buying a Gaming PC and keeping my PS5/Series X for my 'old' Console games
AMD are working closely with both MS and Sony because they know they both have Experience in making Consoles and their own Developers to tap into for feedback on issues and needs.
Consoles are generally 'cheap' and punch well above their specs - due to design/features not 'universal' or used in the PC space - like separate Audio Processing cores instead of using GPU cores or designing for efficiency over 'brute force' and other 'bespoke' parts that somehow make the Consoles punch above even AMD's equivalent GPU's on PC.
If they lean into Sony and MS and their Dev Studios who have games in development and 'issues' they face to get them running as well as they'd want - transfering Data fast enough is either a case of increasing Bandwidth or coming up with a Universal compression method to send more data through without increasing bandwidth. MS had Sampler Feedback to 'reduce' the data, only send the 'required' Data that would be seen/used - not the full Data so could send only a certain part of a texture map instead of the whole texture map - but I don't know if that is used much or puts too much work/effort on Devs to ensure those Textures can be 'broken' into parts for more efficient downloading.
Point is, its in AMDs best interest to work with Console Maufacturers with their own Dev studios and get useful tips, tricks and information on how they've managed to make 'cheap' hardware so performant - they want to close the Gap to nVidia but also be more affordable and/or more 'open' with their 'features' like FSR.
Good luck, the future is dependent on the Games you make and what they are competing with when released. Even great games can end studio's if they don't get the 'returns' they expected.
Lets be honest here, some games will always release on Last gen whether they should have or not, just because the Publisher knows they'll make more money.
CoD BO3 released on XB360/PS3 hardware - yet had to drop the Campaign and 3 of the 4 DLC packs. Graphically, the game looked VERY different but it still sold. Titanfall got a 360 release too and that had to cut a lot of the Atmosphere from the game, the local wildlife around and on the map.
Having played BO7 beta and BO6 this year, I see little/no reason that BO7 wouldn't release on last gen if BO6 gets all content on last gen. After all, these were both built alongside each other on the SAME engine for the past 4-5yrs.
BF6 with its much larger player counts, vehicles and Physics - gun-play (no hitscan like CoD), destruction etc so arguably a lot more difficult to port to last gen with its very basic CPU's that basically killed Destruction and Physics based games.
To be honest, it feels like physical media has never truly been the same since the end of the Xbox 360 / PS3 era and start of the Xbox One / PS4 era.
That's because the start of the PS4/XB1 gen was the start of games having to be 'installed' on internal storage to run - they generally ceased to run 'from disc' so the disc just became a 'delivery' method and License Key. Despite the software being installed on your system, unless you put the disc in, it would not run as it requires a 'valid licence' (on the disc) to access the software.
It doesn't matter whether they had supplied ALL the game on several discs, only one would have the Licence and the other is basically obsolete once you've installed the game anyway. I get that in 20yrs+ time when the Hardware is no longer able to connect to the internet, if you've deleted your game, you can't 're-install' from Disc to play - but if you've kept it installed, the disc still grants access and if you don't want to keep it, you can sell your Licence/Game too.
These days though, Physical Discs are nothing more than a Licence key holder as Publishers 'deliver' their software to your internal SSD via multiple methods to keep their costs down...
@cragis0001 The free tier with perhaps a few hours of stream time and Ads to watch to get 'free' time to stream - at the lowest quality with longest wait times too. The new 'Ultimate' tier promises the highest quality streaming (1440p) and shortest wait times and its only certain games too.
Sony would have to agree to make their game available on 'Xbox' as one of the 'Play your Own' games via streaming so that anyone who wants to stream a few games 'free' would need to buy it on that hardware just to stream it for free. Otherwise Sony would have to let MS put their game into their Game Pass collection so that it can be streamed 'Free' so no/little revenue coming in...
Sony have (or had) a deal with MS and their Azure Cloud system to develop their OWN streaming - which arguably they do offer - with their Portal and PS+ streaming options. You can stream to mobiles and other devices (I Believe) and like I said, PC has Streaming services too - like GeForce Now and sell their games on Steam/Epic too.
Those kids aren't really buying games - they are mostly playing games like Fortnite, Roblox, Apex, Warzone etc so maybe will be enticed by streaming a 'few' games for 'Free' as Fortnite is often included in that...
Sony want to get those players into their Ecosystem, not stream, buy or play on their Rivals hardware so I really do think that them helping MS to build up their 'Streaming' service and platform is extremely unlikely...
Comments 4,071
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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.
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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...
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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...
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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...
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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...
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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...
Re: Xbox President Explains Why Microsoft Ditched Its First-Party Handheld
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...
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
@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!!
Re: Microsoft Passes The Buck To Asus For ROG Xbox Ally's Price Tag
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...
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@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...
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@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.
Re: Xbox Fan Thinks They've Discovered More 'Play Anywhere' Titles Being Added Soon
@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...
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@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...
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@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.
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
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...
Re: Free Play Days: Try These Xbox Games For Free (October 16-19)
I'm more interested in this weekends Arc Raiders Server Slam test than trying 'old' games...
Re: Xbox Fan Thinks They've Discovered More 'Play Anywhere' Titles Being Added Soon
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.
Re: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About The ROG Xbox Ally
@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.
Re: Microsoft Teases New Features Coming To ROG Xbox Ally In Late 2025 & Early 2026
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...
Re: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About The ROG Xbox Ally
@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...
Re: Mulitple Games Are Suddenly Getting Updated With ROG Xbox Ally Optimisations
@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...
Re: Mulitple Games Are Suddenly Getting Updated With ROG Xbox Ally Optimisations
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.
Re: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About The ROG Xbox Ally
@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....
Re: Ubisoft Missed The Xbox Kinect, So They Created An Ambitious Alternative
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...
Re: Report: Battlefield 6 Sells Over 6 Million Copies, And A Good Chunk Of Those Are On Xbox
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
Re: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About The ROG Xbox Ally
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...
Re: Review: ROG Xbox Ally X - An Amazing Handheld PC With Plenty Of Console-Like Potential
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....
Re: Upcoming FPS ARC Raiders Is Completely Free-To-Play This Weekend On Xbox
Looked very impressive and a game I'm interested in, so may well give it a go this weekend...
Re: The Outer Worlds 2 Is Bringing 'Big Sequel Energy' To Xbox Game Pass This Month
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...
Re: Roundup: Here's What The First Reviews Are Saying About NASCAR 25
@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...
Re: Battlefield 6 Boss: 'The Only Reason COD Exists Is Because EA Were D*cks'
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!
Re: Talking Point: How Often Do You Replay Games?
I'm somewhere between Never and only Certain Titles because I have and would replay Certain Titles IF they were fully remade and expanded and/or amended to bring something New to the game so its not 'exactly' the same with just a 4k/60 (or 120) and slightly higher polygon ount and higher quality textures (probably the 'Originals they had to 'reduce' in quality for that generation.
I don't enjoy movies or cover versions of songs that basically copy the Original as closely as they possibly can. I don't want the 'same' experience I had back then and I won't get the 'same' experience now just because it 'looks' and plays better. Its still an OLD game and so many 'newer' games have expanded and built upon those old games that they feel 'old' and 'dated', in need of a 'remake', built with the masses of resources they have access to today, not limited and restricted by old hardware to really make the game as they really envisioned or would make today....
Re: Insomniac's Xbox Exclusive Sunset Overdrive Celebrates Its 11-Year Anniversary This Month
I completed everything in the main game so have never felt the need to return - although I have been tempted by the DLC but as time goes on, its not been a priority...
Re: Microsoft Rewards October Gift Card Sale Begins, Includes Discount On Xbox Credit
@smoreon Only notifications I get are the ones telling me I have enough points to redeem for a £25 gift card after making ANY purchase on Xbox. As soon as I get the points from Purchasing added to my tally, it automatically generates that message.
Of course I have enough points, I have nearly 200k at time of writing - about 1k pts to go. Thats enough for 7-8 £25 gift vouchers so I should think I have 'enough' points without being told I have enough points after every purchase - even those I used 'some' points to convert to money to pay for the item...
Re: Review: Battlefield 6 (Xbox) - A Fantastic FPS, And A Great Base For The Future Of Battlefield
Enjoyed the Beta but it felt a LOT like BF3 - arguably one of the best eras of Battlefield - but also plays like Battlefield. Its not that innovative, more like they've tried to get back to what made Battlefield as big as it was - and quite successfully. Although still can't manage to do a campaign as memorable as BF:BC2.
With their BR mode coming and we still don't really know how they intend to monetise Post Launch content etc, I am still reluctant to buy. I do enjoy MP - the Big Map modes as a change of Pace and different style of Game-play loop from other FPS games, but its not my 'favourite' in terms of gunplay, movement and moment to moment action. Its always been that 'something similar, yet very different' FPS game when I need a change to avoid burn-out and/or frustration...
Re: New ROG Xbox Ally X Footage Shows Battlefield 6, Helldivers 2, Forza Motorsport & More
I am looking forward to getting mine!
The games looked incredible on my RoG Ally (OG) considering its form factor and equivalent devices. As someone that grew up before even the Gameboy era and remembers Nintendo Game & Watch games, to see games running on a Handheld device that you'd only expect to see on 'big' Hardware with huge relative Power/power consumption is remakable.
I struggle to use my RoG Ally - not because it isn't capable, but because of the ergonomics and desiign philosophy of Handhelds - that small, slim device leads to compromises on the ergonomics. You can't have big comfortable grips to hold on to if you want to keep it 'slim' and better to shrink the thumbsticks and all buttons/controls to 70% scale to reduce size etc. However, I find both exceptionally uncomfortable/awkward to use as my Muscle memory is established on full size controllers.
I have had drift issues, most notably on the Left thumbstick probably due to the click/hold to run mechanic - but that was years ago. I would prefer Hall effect, but I expect to upgrade before I need to replace due to issues. I don't expect it to be 'competitive' or 'worth' repairing in 4-5yrs time - it will probably be worth 'upgrading' to a newer Handheld PC.
Re: Everwild Screenshots Leak Online Several Months After Xbox Cancellation
As stylisic as the game was - some may love that ttype of Aesthetic - it neverr had any Substance to what the Game-play aspect was. It was 'sold' on its looks alone and the past 5-10yrs have been spent trying to decide what game to build with this aesthetic....
Re: Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In November 2025 So Far
@Fiendish-Beaver I'm in my my mid 50's too so not into ultra-competitive game-modes but love playing Zombies and Warzone Casual which has few actual Human Enemies - until the end phase, but if you've survived that long, you have decent weapons/perks to compete.
I log into CoD daily and do the Daily Zombie challenges (Solo) then jump into Warzone and/or MP for a 'few' matches. I don't know if the end game is strictly co-op or whether it will be playable Solo. Of course Call of Duty, known for its Online Social Gaming may well present just 'co-operative' game-play, but could allow you to play Solo - like DMZ or Zombies.
I'm not too keen on the 'hallocenegenic' campaign missions, I've never finished BO3's campaign (I think it was BO3 that was 'trippy' - but I think they are all mostly Hollywood's view of what a 'war' is - that small 'squad' taking on entire nations armies or private well equipped merceneries with just a basic 'small arms' loadout against tanks and Helicopters but still 'entertaining' to play through...
Re: Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In November 2025 So Far
@Fiendish-Beaver I will be playing the campaign - at least I intend to start playing and if it keeps my interest until the end, great. The Campaign, as I understand it, can be played Solo - just like Gears of War, but can also be played co-operatively. I don't know what the 'end' game entails and whether orb not that can be played Solo too, but I will never play a Co-op Campaign without first playing it through Solo.
Nothing annoys me more than other players rushing through co-op campaigns as quick as possible, talking over game dialogue or having their 'own' agenda.
I will certainly be playing Zombies - mostly Solo as I never play with Rando's and Warzone Casuals - at over 50, I don't really want to play ultra competititive people etc. I enjoy a bit of MP - usually Hardcore as its a case of get the first bullet on target to win - to get daily challenges done, but I don't play MP that much...
Re: Microsoft Rewards October Gift Card Sale Begins, Includes Discount On Xbox Credit
@MrStark It's that aspect, having to use the 'credit' within a set-time, that really annoys me about these. I only use my points now when I remember just before 'buying' a game - I'll only convert enough to pay for the majority of the game without going over, and pay the rest with cash - it can be nice paying just 2.97 for a 52.97 bundle for example.
Re: Four Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In November 2025 So Far
@Kaloudz Yeah I really enjoyed the Beta - both the MP and Zombies. Both seem a lot like BO6 but with more refinement and tweaks - the best change though is their Map Design and return to more traditional 3 lanes which really does improve the flow and alleviates some frustration.
The campaign does seem somewhat 'misleading' for the rest of the package - but I do like the idea of it being playable co-operatively and has an 'end-game' mode too. I do like Linear great story single player campaigns, but I also appreciate them trying something different, experimental.
Many don't even touch the Campaign and few of those that do actually complete it so them trying something different with its co-op option, own Camo grind and end game may get more people playing it.
I still haven't finished BO6 campaign or MW3's or MW2's before that. I'm currently enjoying the Haunting event in BO7 and over 80% complete on this seasons BP too - mostly from Zombies and Warzone...
I'll be playing BO7 in November - whether I choose to keep Ultimate or decide to drop down a tier or two. I've played BO6 pretty much 'daily' even if just for an hour or two to get Daily missions completed so I'll get my value from all the hours I'll play over the year.
Re: Poll: Are You Buying Battlefield 6 For Xbox On Launch Weekend?
I played the Beta and whilst I will say its the 'best' BF MP I've played, probably since the BF3/4 era of Battlefields, I don't think it offers the best Campaign and we still don't really know how their Post Launch content and its monetisation will look.
I don't buy games at launch as I think that's ALWAYS the worst time to buy. The Price is at its highest, content at its most basic and/or the code is often at its least Optimised too. With games costing over £50, now £70 at launch, I really see no reason to buy until its on sale or offered in a Sub tier. I also dislike the 'benefits' to PS users over those on PC and Xbox so I refuse to 'buy' on PS to support that practice - just like I nevber bought Hogwarts - although still considering buying it 'now' on Xbox with Play Anywhere.
Play Anywhere too will factor in to my Gaming purchasing in the future as I intend to play 'more' on PC's - and I think MS will eventually (if not 'next' gen) will only make 'PC' hardware. I think their 'console' (in design) will emulate Series Xbox so all their 'old' games, games you can play today on Series Hardware from the handful of OG Xbox games, 360 to XB1 and Series Games. But all 'new' Xbox releases will be 'Windows Xbox PC' games - games you can run on 'ANY' Windows PC, not just their 'own' Console.
The reason, they are already making games for PC and so don't need to port and optimise to a second Platform at extra cost and all their games are 'Play Anywhere' so cutting the 'Console' costs would be a big Financial reason. Their work with Asus on Windows too, in collaboration with the Xbox OS team, will help them 'optimise' Windows for gaming and provide a 'console' like interface.
To me, the RoG Xbox Allys are indicative of their future so unless Games have Play Anywhere and/or at a reasonable price to 'me', I'm not buying 'new' games.
Re: UK Retailer Tests Oblivion Remastered To See If It Plays Off The Disc (Xbox & PS5)
@TrollOfWar Each to their own dude... I like Digital more at the moment but that's because I'm Jumping between Hardware and its so much easier to have your games on various devices/platforms and to be able to play without needing a 'physical' key to access.
Just going between my Xbox Series X and RoG Ally or Laptop PC is so easy and neither my PC's have Physical drives for Xbox discs. But because I bought Digital, I have games I can install and play natively anytime I want. even swich between games (or hardware) without needing to use any Physical keys to play.
When I upgraded from XB1X to XSX, all my Digital games were instantly in my Library ready to install and play. Pro's and Cons to both Physical and Digital it just depends on which works best for you. I haven't bought 'Physical' games since probably Dead Space remake and don't think I will again. I rarely play my Physical collection because it involves swapping Discs every time where as my Digital games are instantly playable...
To me, the modern day 'Cartridge' is basically the Plug-in SSD Storage cards on Xbox. You can install ALL your Digital games on the SSD and as soon as you plug it in, you can load into any of the games straight away, switch between them easily etc and then replace the Card for a completely different Library as Console internal Storage is a bit 'limited' - modern Handhelds use Cards as games and/or extra Storage...
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X Continues To Sell Out, While Standard Version Remains More Readily Available
@Coletrain I don't know that I'd use Frame Gen, I'd ratherhave 40fps and VRR than the game running at 38fps but looking like its running at 76ish fps.due to increase latency and 'slight' cost of generating frames.
I'm OK with using Upscaling methods to deliver Higher Frame Rates than Native 1080p and FSR 3.0 isn't that bad on a BIG screen, let alone 7" one.
I've never messed around with Sharpening, the games have not looked like they need it and I don't like the artefacts if over sharpened...
Re: Xbox 'Magnus' Leak Suggests Next Console Will Be Powerful, Expensive & Maybe A Hybrid Device
I'm not convinced the Console market will be the 'best' option for next gen. Obviously if you have existing Libraries on those platforms, carrying them forward is a massive incentive to keep you locked in, keep you paying monthly Subs for Social gaming and access to all content/features at the very least.
If Microsoft were to release a 'PC' in a Console like format designed for living under a TV in a living room setting, with a built in chip that 'emulates' their Series X console (all games and BC games series X plays, the Series X versions) so it carries forward my Xbox Console Library, I'd leave the Console space regardless of what Sony/Nintendo do.
I'd rather save the 'Essential' tier fee and Hardware costs on a Console to spend more on PC hardware and Sony releases their games on PC eventually so I'd have more than enough Great games to play. If MS's PC incurs a Sub thoughfor Online access, or BC with previous consoles, I'd consider buying a Gaming PC and keeping my PS5/Series X for my 'old' Console games
Re: AMD's Partnership On PS6 Will Benefit 'Every Gaming Platform', Says General Manager
AMD are working closely with both MS and Sony because they know they both have Experience in making Consoles and their own Developers to tap into for feedback on issues and needs.
Consoles are generally 'cheap' and punch well above their specs - due to design/features not 'universal' or used in the PC space - like separate Audio Processing cores instead of using GPU cores or designing for efficiency over 'brute force' and other 'bespoke' parts that somehow make the Consoles punch above even AMD's equivalent GPU's on PC.
If they lean into Sony and MS and their Dev Studios who have games in development and 'issues' they face to get them running as well as they'd want - transfering Data fast enough is either a case of increasing Bandwidth or coming up with a Universal compression method to send more data through without increasing bandwidth. MS had Sampler Feedback to 'reduce' the data, only send the 'required' Data that would be seen/used - not the full Data so could send only a certain part of a texture map instead of the whole texture map - but I don't know if that is used much or puts too much work/effort on Devs to ensure those Textures can be 'broken' into parts for more efficient downloading.
Point is, its in AMDs best interest to work with Console Maufacturers with their own Dev studios and get useful tips, tricks and information on how they've managed to make 'cheap' hardware so performant - they want to close the Gap to nVidia but also be more affordable and/or more 'open' with their 'features' like FSR.
Re: Former ZeniMax Devs Who Were Fired By Xbox Create New Company Called Sackbird Studios
Good luck, the future is dependent on the Games you make and what they are competing with when released. Even great games can end studio's if they don't get the 'returns' they expected.
Re: Battlefield 6 Dev Explains Why It Isn't Following Black Ops 7 With Xbox One Version
Lets be honest here, some games will always release on Last gen whether they should have or not, just because the Publisher knows they'll make more money.
CoD BO3 released on XB360/PS3 hardware - yet had to drop the Campaign and 3 of the 4 DLC packs. Graphically, the game looked VERY different but it still sold. Titanfall got a 360 release too and that had to cut a lot of the Atmosphere from the game, the local wildlife around and on the map.
Having played BO7 beta and BO6 this year, I see little/no reason that BO7 wouldn't release on last gen if BO6 gets all content on last gen. After all, these were both built alongside each other on the SAME engine for the past 4-5yrs.
BF6 with its much larger player counts, vehicles and Physics - gun-play (no hitscan like CoD), destruction etc so arguably a lot more difficult to port to last gen with its very basic CPU's that basically killed Destruction and Physics based games.
Re: UK Retailer Tests Oblivion Remastered To See If It Plays Off The Disc (Xbox & PS5)
That's because the start of the PS4/XB1 gen was the start of games having to be 'installed' on internal storage to run - they generally ceased to run 'from disc' so the disc just became a 'delivery' method and License Key. Despite the software being installed on your system, unless you put the disc in, it would not run as it requires a 'valid licence' (on the disc) to access the software.
It doesn't matter whether they had supplied ALL the game on several discs, only one would have the Licence and the other is basically obsolete once you've installed the game anyway. I get that in 20yrs+ time when the Hardware is no longer able to connect to the internet, if you've deleted your game, you can't 're-install' from Disc to play - but if you've kept it installed, the disc still grants access and if you don't want to keep it, you can sell your Licence/Game too.
These days though, Physical Discs are nothing more than a Licence key holder as Publishers 'deliver' their software to your internal SSD via multiple methods to keep their costs down...
Re: Bungie's Delayed Shooter Marathon Re-Emerges With New Xbox Playtest
@cragis0001 The free tier with perhaps a few hours of stream time and Ads to watch to get 'free' time to stream - at the lowest quality with longest wait times too. The new 'Ultimate' tier promises the highest quality streaming (1440p) and shortest wait times and its only certain games too.
Sony would have to agree to make their game available on 'Xbox' as one of the 'Play your Own' games via streaming so that anyone who wants to stream a few games 'free' would need to buy it on that hardware just to stream it for free. Otherwise Sony would have to let MS put their game into their Game Pass collection so that it can be streamed 'Free' so no/little revenue coming in...
Sony have (or had) a deal with MS and their Azure Cloud system to develop their OWN streaming - which arguably they do offer - with their Portal and PS+ streaming options. You can stream to mobiles and other devices (I Believe) and like I said, PC has Streaming services too - like GeForce Now and sell their games on Steam/Epic too.
Those kids aren't really buying games - they are mostly playing games like Fortnite, Roblox, Apex, Warzone etc so maybe will be enticed by streaming a 'few' games for 'Free' as Fortnite is often included in that...
Sony want to get those players into their Ecosystem, not stream, buy or play on their Rivals hardware so I really do think that them helping MS to build up their 'Streaming' service and platform is extremely unlikely...