Will we be getting a handheld Xbox soon? Here's what Microsoft's gaming head has to say

Handheld video games were a hit in the ’90s when Nintendo introduced GameBoy. Then, they were slowly replaced with PC games and consoles. However, tech companies are again trying to revive the, and now we have a few PC gaming handheld devices, including Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go.

There have been rumors that Microsoft is working to introduce handheld devices. When Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, attended the annual Game Developers Conference, he was asked about the same.

Phil Spencer told Polygon:

I want my Lenovo Legion Go to feel like an Xbox. I brought [the Legion Go] with me to GDC. I’m on the airplane and I have this list of everything that makes it not feel like an Xbox.

Forget about the brand. More like: Are all of my games there? Do all my games show up with the save [files] that I want? I’ll tell you one [game] that doesn’t right now – it’s drivng me crazy – is Fallout 76. It doesn’t have cross-save.

He further said:

I want to be able to boot into the Xbox app in a full screen, but in a compact mode. And all of my social [experience] is there. Like I want it to feel like the dash of my Xbox when I turn on the television. [Except I want it] on those devices.

Fortunately, what Phil Spencer aspires to create already exists; it is called Steam big picture mode, but the difference is that it doesn’t have a big green X on the screen; instead, it has a Steam logo.

As per Spencer, the Xbox hardware team, which Roanne Sones leads, is considering:

different hardware form factors and things that [they] could go do. What should we build that will find new players? That will allow people to play at times when they couldn’t go play [in the past]?

He further added:

I like the fact that Valve, Lenovo, and Asus went out and innovated in a new form factor. And I will say that when I’m playing on those devices, it almost feels more like a console than a PC — nine times out of 10. The things that usually frustrate me are more Windows-based than device-based. Which is an area I feel some ownership of. Like, I want to be able to log in with a controller. I’ve got my list of things we should go do.

From a game creator standpoint, I can then go build a single version of my game that spans more hardware and reaches more customers. And I would say for players, it reduces the friction. Like, if I want to go play my console games on the go with a handheld, I don’t want to only be able to buy one brand of handheld. Right? […] I want everything that we’re doing in the hardware space to be great. But if somebody chooses to go play today [somewhere else], I don’t want them to feel like a lesser Xbox [player].

I think it’s important. You and I, we’ve been around for a couple of days. Look at the real inflection points in our industry, like look at the Wii. It was hardware innovation that was linked with great software innovation.

Spencer mentioned that Microsoft is working on making Xbox available on handhelds using two distinct approaches: software and hardware. These two approaches will be used as Microsoft understands that it is not necessary for all players to choose their brand. Therefore, they want to work on improving the Xbox handheld gaming software experience. This means Microsoft is working to cover all the grounds for handheld devices, be it hardware or software.

A lot of Reddit users have expressed their thoughts about this news. Winston_Feesh said:

I hope we can merge and not just cross save. I have a LOT of stuff on my pc account but its relatively new while my xbox save is from when I pre orderee the game.

Another Reddit user, Sniper_Brosef, said:

Cross saves seems like it would open cross plat too? Which would mean completely changing the market. I’m soooo here for that.

Most of the Reddit users who participated in the conversation were hopeful and happy that Microsoft is working on cross-save and handheld gaming software.

What do you think about it? Share your thoughts with our readers in the comments section below.