Spencer talks so comfortably from both sides of his arse that it is sickening. You cannot claim that consoles & exclusives are unimportant while still trying to get people to buy your hardware for the "Best Experience" (which it isn't). Xbox needs to just be a BRAND with all of the studios reporting directly to other facets of that corporate totem pole. Then they can reallocate the funds from that substantial salary that Phil-y got to hiring more developers. And wish him the best in his future endeavors.
What a crock. The Xbox Ally is for from being SOLD OUT and the Xbox Ally X is STILL AVAILABLE at Best Buy as of 09/28/25 (I preordered 2 for my nephews for Christmas). They obviously allocated a MAJORITY of the units to retailers like Best Buy then claimed that they "Sold Out" on their respective sites (Xbox and Rog). Sorry Microsoft, but the Switch 2, for it's faults, was 'Lightning In A Bottle" and they (Nintendo) didn't hem/ haw on the pricing until the PreOrder Date either. It will interesting to see ACTUAL UNIT NUMBERS SOLD after the first week. Assuming that Microsoft releases it a they were anxious about releasing Series X/S numbers as opposed to Sony.
I still sit firmly in the camp of 'What's the point?'. If you are an existing handheld gamer and purchased your console past few years, this is an incremental update for a few more FPS. Do you really need to buy another handheld at whatever price Microsoft/ Rog agree on as it cannot match European Prices. Definitely not a apples/ apples conversion from euros. The fact that US Prices are still nondisclosed is telling. As a gamer, I hope the new "Windows Launcher" does eliminate the bloat of Windows OS and PC gamers finally get streamlined goodness like Steam OS users. For everyone else with an existing Windows handheld, I hope that launcher is made available outside of the Rog partnership quickly and is relatively inexpensive. That would ensure "Gamers", Microsoft.
@Coletrain Exactly. Because existing handheld gamers are not their "Target" audience. They are hoping that whatever goodwill still exists with console gamers will extend to the estimated 400k units they hope to sell at launch.
Honestly, I feel that Microsoft is banking on Console folks "making the jump" more so than actual PC Gamers buying the console. Now it comes down to whether that "Windows Launcher" truly minimizes the Windows OS bloat and simplifies the actual gaming experience (like Steam OS does). Now, don't get me wrong. The specs (on paper) look impressive and Microsoft will probably "eat the cost" to make it more plausible with folks who balked online with the Switch 2 cost. Either way, I take it as a win for gamers if the gamble is successful.
I'm sorry but something doesn't add up. The dollar is valued less than the euro so saying that estimated price for the lower tier model is $499.00 seems "wrong". Unless Microsoft is "eating the cost" of those handhelds to ensure that their estimated 400K units are sold. Like they did with the Xbox One and subsequent variations. No way Rog "eats that difference". The fact that one month (or less) to launch and NO OFFICIAL US Pricing is telling. Don't get me wrong. I hope that the new Gaming Interface removes the bloat that Windows brings to all devices and works as well as Steam OS, but that remains to be seen. I also hope that if (when) they release it for other Windows handhelds that it doesn't cost users another arm & a leg.
Honestly. Who cares. Spencer has pretty much killed the Xbox brand under his "leadership". His predecessor was incompetent, but Phil... <shakes head>. With no exclusives, buying a dedicated Microsoft console no longer makes sense. Just build/buy a mid tier PC and if you need a 'console', Nintendo or Sony will happily take your money.
Comments 8
Re: Phil Spencer Was Asked About Xbox's 'Unusual Strategy' In 2019, And The Answers Are Still Relevant Six Years Later
Spencer talks so comfortably from both sides of his arse that it is sickening. You cannot claim that consoles & exclusives are unimportant while still trying to get people to buy your hardware for the "Best Experience" (which it isn't). Xbox needs to just be a BRAND with all of the studios reporting directly to other facets of that corporate totem pole. Then they can reallocate the funds from that substantial salary that Phil-y got to hiring more developers. And wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Re: Rumour: Microsoft & ASUS Wanted To 'Further Subsidise' The Price Of The ROG Xbox Ally
@Ricky-Spanish Exactly.
Re: The ROG Xbox Ally Is Rapidly Selling Out At Retailers Around The World
What a crock. The Xbox Ally is for from being SOLD OUT and the Xbox Ally X is STILL AVAILABLE at Best Buy as of 09/28/25 (I preordered 2 for my nephews for Christmas). They obviously allocated a MAJORITY of the units to retailers like Best Buy then claimed that they "Sold Out" on their respective sites (Xbox and Rog). Sorry Microsoft, but the Switch 2, for it's faults, was 'Lightning In A Bottle" and they (Nintendo) didn't hem/ haw on the pricing until the PreOrder Date either. It will interesting to see ACTUAL UNIT NUMBERS SOLD after the first week. Assuming that Microsoft releases it a they were anxious about releasing Series X/S numbers as opposed to Sony.
Re: Microsoft Explains Target Audiences For ROG Xbox Ally And ROG Xbox Ally X
I still sit firmly in the camp of 'What's the point?'. If you are an existing handheld gamer and purchased your console past few years, this is an incremental update for a few more FPS. Do you really need to buy another handheld at whatever price Microsoft/ Rog agree on as it cannot match European Prices. Definitely not a apples/ apples conversion from euros. The fact that US Prices are still nondisclosed is telling. As a gamer, I hope the new "Windows Launcher" does eliminate the bloat of Windows OS and PC gamers finally get streamlined goodness like Steam OS users. For everyone else with an existing Windows handheld, I hope that launcher is made available outside of the Rog partnership quickly and is relatively inexpensive. That would ensure "Gamers", Microsoft.
Re: Microsoft Explains Target Audiences For ROG Xbox Ally And ROG Xbox Ally X
@Coletrain Exactly. Because existing handheld gamers are not their "Target" audience. They are hoping that whatever goodwill still exists with console gamers will extend to the estimated 400k units they hope to sell at launch.
Re: Talking Point: Will The ROG Xbox Ally Be Your First 'Handheld Gaming PC'?
Honestly, I feel that Microsoft is banking on Console folks "making the jump" more so than actual PC Gamers buying the console. Now it comes down to whether that "Windows Launcher" truly minimizes the Windows OS bloat and simplifies the actual gaming experience (like Steam OS does). Now, don't get me wrong. The specs (on paper) look impressive and Microsoft will probably "eat the cost" to make it more plausible with folks who balked online with the Switch 2 cost. Either way, I take it as a win for gamers if the gamble is successful.
Re: ROG Xbox Ally Infographic Appears Alongside Early Amazon Listing
I'm sorry but something doesn't add up. The dollar is valued less than the euro so saying that estimated price for the lower tier model is $499.00 seems "wrong". Unless Microsoft is "eating the cost" of those handhelds to ensure that their estimated 400K units are sold. Like they did with the Xbox One and subsequent variations. No way Rog "eats that difference". The fact that one month (or less) to launch and NO OFFICIAL US Pricing is telling. Don't get me wrong. I hope that the new Gaming Interface removes the bloat that Windows brings to all devices and works as well as Steam OS, but that remains to be seen. I also hope that if (when) they release it for other Windows handhelds that it doesn't cost users another arm & a leg.
Re: Next Xbox Console: Everything We Know So Far About Microsoft's Next-Gen System
Honestly. Who cares. Spencer has pretty much killed the Xbox brand under his "leadership". His predecessor was incompetent, but Phil... <shakes head>. With no exclusives, buying a dedicated Microsoft console no longer makes sense. Just build/buy a mid tier PC and if you need a 'console', Nintendo or Sony will happily take your money.