All in all these storefronts want their stores on more devices and MS seemingly wants these stores in their next console and handheld. This leads me to believe they’ll come to some agreement whether it be an app or a compatibility mode.
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Microsoft will be well positioned to hit the ground running since all Series X games already have a “handheld” performance profile ready to go. 
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And all of their games are designed to be scalable to the performance of the device it’s running on since they ship on PC by default.
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MS could develop a handheld that is locked to the “Xbox ecosystem” by default but have the option to unlock developer mode (paid) and let Steam run that way.
I doubt that. They’re out here pushing Google and Apple to have open systems I doubt they’d want to look like hypocrites and you can bet they’d be called out if they do. They have to choose one either it’s open or closed and I think it will be open as that is what makes sense and is quickly becoming the relevant path. They could make it more PC but similar in operation like Xbox bringing all the other platforms in as apps that will be available at the Microsoft store. You already have apps on windows perhaps they could develop and integrate it more and better on an Xbox handheld.
He is talking about series s profile.
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Yeah I mean there will be other Xbox handhelds than the one from MS. Those might have different performance profiles.
Maybe but the baseline will always be series s.
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Any handheld, for the next 5+ years, unless cooling and battery technology made a huge leap, is targeting Series S level performance. Not only because we can’t do better for any long period of time, but because with screen sizes that small you do not need to.
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I don’t think the push for Google and Apple to have open systems necessarily against the idea that the device can be initially locked.
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They don’t do this on windows now why would they try it and also with Epic fighting Google and Apple you really think they won’t call out Microsoft, don’t forget Tim Sweeney called out Microsoft for the UWP initiative back then. I don’t think with the regulatory scrutiny going on that they would even consider it unless I’m not getting what you’re saying.
Simply the current Xbox is a closed ecosystem but can be unlocked. It’s the “every Xbox is a development kit” thing they promoted. (See Xbox Series S being used for emulation and playing Playstation and Nintendo games right now for super cheap) I’m just saying they might do the same thing with the handheld and next console maybe going a bit further. It’s a compromise between being completely closed or completely open. You sell the systems as closed but you can also say “look you can unlock our device if you want to, just know the warnings and agree to the terms.” They can charge a fee to cover the “hardware subsidy” or whatever and now you have a device that is essentially a PC. So in the end not much different than how it is now.
I think most people asking for open Apple/Android are fine with an unlock condition for those that know what they are doing.
Note: Tim Sweeney calling out MS for UWP/Windows Store was pure FUD. This was right before he launched his own marketplace so he had a (not at the time) obvious reason to tank a direct competitor’s store.
It’s just a shame that this device is still years away. I was so excited when I saw the handheld rumors in various Phil interviews this year. This thing could be really exciting or disappointing, and that heavily depends on the choices they make regarding the OS, cross-store compatibility and more.
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Its not just those, but you got the gist of things. I would also say content will be vital for the handheld to suceed, but that will depend on one vital thing: how they appeal to current and new consumers outside game pass and play anywhere, while both are appealing as of now doens’t mean others won’t do something significally better that could downgrade their value. Nvidia, for an example i can see do something here that can undermine that alongside maybe Sony, but given recent discussions i would say they would need Microsoft to really screw things up for them to get their supposed shot.
Those are my two cents.
Keep the multiplatform rants to the appropriate thread please. Seeing some unnecessary parallels being drawn any chance they can be…
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Phil and Xbox made ALOT of smart choices this gen, not delving into VR, having two sku’s at start because prices would not come down, quick resume, seemless series X upgrades, play anywhere and PC push etc.
What sucks is because the whole dang industry seem to be brain washed by Sony they are never rewarded for it.
In a Vacuum Sony made some horrible decisions and now ae having serious 1st party games droughts and a hugely overpriced mid gen refresh hitting up against diminishing returns but Sony always is ok because of their brain washed fanbase
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You’re absolutely right and if the last decade+ has shown us: Xbox is often well ahead of the curve, gets shit on by the media and zeitgeist, then when Sony makes an inferior copy of said feature/plan years later the media act as though they’re the first and best to implement said feature. Some of the sites celebrating the “end of the console war” for Sony’s 30th anniversary crap, is just a bonus proof to add to the mountain of articles and faux outrages they’ve provided over the years to prove the point.
Basically, gaming sites have largely just been an advertiser for Sony and not an actual source of criticism/reality.
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I still remember when the x1 was announced and I thought the plan was actually good. I wish they stuck to it and every company pretty much moved to it.
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I do wonder though, let’s say we get Xbox Portable in 2026 or 2027, I’m guessing it’ll be used as the lower specced next gen console as well considering how late it is releasing, effectively replacing Series S. How will developers react to having Series S performance profile for another 6-7 years? Wonder if MS could add in an NPU for upscaling and maybe have more RAM to appease devs. Or maybe devs are just tired of targeting higher specs and having longer development times and would be happy with lower specs, I don’t know to be honest.
Like I am super interested in the handheld when it comes out, and I’m really hoping MS knocks it out of the park as they are in a good spot right now to do something the competition can’t match potentially. If they don’t mess it up, we might be eating good in a few short years!
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