this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
92 points (91.8% liked)

Games

39391 readers
1495 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
all 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 1 points 26 minutes ago

It probably should have released a could months ago, pre switch2 hype.

[–] overload@sopuli.xyz 9 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

LTT describes that the XBOX team have also trimmed down 2GB of W11 desktop bloat with this and have attempted to make the W11 experience more similar to a console. I'm curious to follow this. I'd imagine Microsoft are a bit intimidated by the fact that SteamOS is a better handheld gaming OS than Windows. Obviously this must have been in the pipeline for a long time now.

[–] pycorax@lemmy.world 8 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I would be interested if it also supported quick resume from sleep like the Deck does. Imo that's the killer SteamOS feature that's keeping Windows alternatives from being even a consideration.

[–] overload@sopuli.xyz 7 points 8 hours ago

If they can't do that then this thing is kind of DOA. I've just assumed for some reason that this is what they're doing.

[–] Resplendent606@lemmy.world 46 points 17 hours ago

It will run better on Steam OS.

[–] ampersarnie@lemmy.world 24 points 18 hours ago (4 children)

Is this the rumoured Xbox handheld that everyone has been going on about for months?

[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk -2 points 4 hours ago

Only it doesn't run Xbox games. 🤡

[–] PacMan@sh.itjust.works 7 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

I still think the real XBox handheld is another 2-5 years out. This is Microsoft dipping their toes in the water and the ROC is a great system to start that partnership

[–] ampersarnie@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

Steam Deck appreciator myself and this does seem like a good starting point for Xbox. I’m interested to see how it progresses over the years.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (2 children)

I believe I read somewhere else that idea/project was taken back to the workshop and this is something else but close to that.

[–] Zykino@programming.dev 2 points 4 hours ago

Yeah, I also read that they stopped the project of building an official Xbox handheld to focus on 3rd party hardware. Because otherwise the delay would make them not launch at the same time than the home console.

[–] ampersarnie@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

I read that somewhere as well, it coincided with reports of SteamOS being more performant that Windows 11 for gaming. How related they both were I have no idea but it sounds like MS were already aware and are trying to resolve that here as it prevents resource intensive processes from launching (desktop, etc).

[–] smeg@feddit.uk 11 points 16 hours ago

hide away the complexity of Windows

for 720p gaming

the ability to log in via the Windows lockscreen with your controller

Seems like they've finally taken some notes from the Steam Deck, interested to see if they can actually make something decent. It seems unlikely, but I'm still interested!

[–] Olap@lemmy.world 7 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

I am whelmed. Never been the biggest mobile gamer, will skip

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 20 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

It’s not “mobile gaming” it’s more “handheld pc gaming.” I get it sounds pedantic but “mobile games” and “mobile gaming” for 99% of people means games released for smartphones.

A steamdeck isn’t a mobile gaming device. This is a steamdeck competitor.

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca -3 points 17 hours ago (1 children)
[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 7 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (2 children)

I mean conservative estimates have over 20 million people using game pass and the steam deck is getting long in the tooth technology wise - valve has also made it very clear there are no plans to release a new one any time soon, if ever.

Also, Ilove my steam deck so much, but it is not the most user-friendly for newbies sometimes. You have to be comfortable troubleshooting occasionally, especially if you ever plan on using desktop mode. Which is not required of course, but you are leaving a lot of the appeal of the device in the first place on the table if you don’t use that ever.

I fucking hate Microsoft, I am over the Xbox ecosystem, but ultimately this will be a very pick up and play device. It will likely sell at least half decently (likely underperform their estimates as always). I think anybody saying it’s doomed to fail however is honestly not up to date on the current state of gaming.

If I had to ignorantly shoot from the hip, I would say they will probably sell ~500,000-1mill units

[–] malwieder@feddit.org 1 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

Well, at least the base model Xbox Ally has essentially the same SoC as the Steam Deck. The Z2 A has 4 Zen 2 cores and 8 RDNA 2 CUs. It will be configurable up to 20 watts TDP instead of 15 on the Deck, but that's it. So much for "long in the tooth technology wise".

Sure, the Z2 Extreme variant will be more powerful, but it'll also be in a different price category (800-900,-€).

And in terms of user-friendliness: the Xbox Ally will run Windows. It won't launch into the regular desktop shell (by default), and it won't have as many services running in the background which might help with performance and battery life, and you'll probably be able to update drivers and Windows through it. Maybe it will have some preconfigured scripts/shortcuts to install Steam, Battle.net etc. But that's it. Expect to fall back to the desktop mode (or open a browser, terminal and Explorer window in the new gaming mode) for anything more advanced like installing emulators.

In terms of pick up and play this won't be much different to the Steam Deck, with the one exception being Game Pass - but even then don't expect any of the more demanding titles to run well.

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 1 points 49 minutes ago

There is no way they are charging €900 for this. That’s absurd. If you’re right I’ll come back and praise you lol

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

This machine will be the same desktop-mode-not-required-but-allows-for-more-functionality thing that the Steam Deck is, but it will chew through battery faster in exchange for more compatibility.

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 1 points 6 minutes ago

Sounds about right

[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 5 points 17 hours ago (1 children)
[–] Zykino@programming.dev 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

At least the internet crowd went :

Silksooooooooooong ! New images and half revealed date of "you will be able to play it on day one". So either same launch day or a bit before. 2nd time (after the switch 2 trailer) that they mention silksong for this year. So maaaaybe ?

Oh by the way, why are the image shown at an angle? Is it really only to showcase the console? Whatever.

[–] audaxdreik@pawb.social 4 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

I suspect handhelds are going to be the future for awhile now. It's not just out of a growing demand or simply because portable graphics processing and battery power have improved (although those factors do help) but it's another chance to:

  1. Push locked hardware
  2. Funnel to controlled storefronts
  3. Bring down and moderate the increasingly unsustainable AAA development costs

Those first two aren't particularly surprising, they're the key elements that Nintendo has honed in on while Sony and particularly Microsoft continue to struggle. Microsoft feels like they've just left XBox to languish while they focus on Game Pass as a means to ensnare you into their economy which is why they're first down this path, but I think Sony will follow shortly. In an ideal world, I'd love to see Sony get back to hardware manufacturing with a Vita like device you could load Linux/SteamOS onto. Vita was a great little product, done so dirty. EDIT: I know the Portal exists, but that's mostly just a dumb receiver as far as I understand it. Still, they're already not too far off ... come on guys, just a little further.

But moreover it's that last point, really. It's hard to continue to push out these extraordinarily big budget, bordering on AAAA (lol) territory games that continue to flop. I know the Switch 2 is already doing stuff like Cyberpunk 2077, but that stuff can still be hell on battery life as well as requiring lower resolution and lowered visuals in portable mode.

I feel like Nintendo is making a big mistake pushing that 4K60 envelope with the Switch 2, although I see why they made that maneuver. The Switch was perpetually underpowered and they felt the need to close that gap, but they already struggle to push out big budget tentpole franchises as is illustrated by Mario Kart World being the only big release title. Also, I just want to generally point this out, Nintendo suffers from needing to up the stakes. It's what lead to Mario Galaxy being such a grand adventure, then Odyssey going even bigger than that. Now we have Kart World because ... gotta get bigger than 8 Deluxe somehow I guess.

I don't know what any of this means or where it's going, I just wanted to try and call out some of these observations. Turbulent times ahead, I don't know that anyone really knows what the next 2-3 years will look like.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago

I sincerely doubt that this device will satisfy criteria #1 or #2, unless you've got a generous definition for #2.

[–] Hafty@lemmy.world 4 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

This is sick if the pricing is good.

[–] nostalgicgamerz@lemmy.world 3 points 14 hours ago
[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 2 points 17 hours ago

Insert credit card to find out

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 2 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Anyone member when IBM decided it was an “ideas company” or some bullshit like that?

I mean, they still make more than I do, but when was the last time anybody thought of IBM?

[–] Zorque@lemmy.world 5 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

For consumer electronics? Probably a long time. For industrial applications? Quite often.

[–] sramder@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago

That’s true, it took them 10-15 years but they built a huge service business. I was specifically referring to the loss of the desktop market to the “clones” which has a rough equivalence.

It was more of a cheap shot than a serious prediction ☺️ As long as MS controls the licensing and software this is a completely logical move.

[–] solsangraal@lemmy.zip 3 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

damn asus not reading the room..

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 14 hours ago

You mean the Linux room? You think the average person cares on what OS their stuff runs?
You, my dear friend, are a very loud and vocal minority.

[–] nostalgicgamerz@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Needs to provide FSR 4 to compete with Switch 2.

The fact that it's the first handheld to get DLSS is bullahity

[–] vividspecter@lemm.ee 2 points 11 hours ago

Needs to provide FSR 4 to compete with Switch 2.

It can't unless FSR4 is backported to RDNA2/3. There's some work on Linux to do that, but there is a significant performance hit at the moment.

[–] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago

If I had more disposable income I would probably get one, but the global economy is so garbage right now I can barely afford my basic utilities.

[–] Shape4985@lemmy.ml -3 points 15 hours ago

Booooo

Steam deck ftw

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works -2 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

This will likely only play pc games... And that is the big disappointment.

Who cares? We already have pc gaming handhelds. Unless this is subsidized to hell so it beats all other pricepoints.. why should anyone care?

If my xbox library was made mobile... That would be something new and worthwhile. NO, I DONT WANT TO STREAM. I cant always stream on a handheld either. I want to possess my games!(As much as i can anyways)

Xbox will be disappointed by the sales of this handheld and might give up on their own that could play the xbox library locally. If they do that their next generation is screwed. Lets see how this plays out.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

They have given up on their own handheld. And why wouldn't you prefer the PC library when it's so much larger? The appeal to this device at this point is that the new UI is better for the handheld use case than desktop Windows.

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Its not that i dont prefer the PC library, its that there are already dozens of other handhelds that play PC games already.

So then the UI is the sole reason people should want this device?

I see no reason why this UI shouldnt also work on the plethora of other windows handhelds in the market currently. This leaves nothing new for this device to offer... Unless its really cheap.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

At least at first, it will be the only handheld running this version of Windows. So maybe after a year or two, it won't be all that unique, true, but a year or two is a long time at the rate these handhelds are advancing.

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago) (1 children)

What a weak sell then, i understand your point, i just wish Xbox came out swinging with a compatibility layer for the Xbox game library. A portable device with that capability would have the potential to put them back on top.

Instead we get a less bad version of windows, that will likely be inferior to its direct competitor(steamOS) anyways, sans the ability to play a few multiplayer games.

I see no reason to believe it wont be.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago) (2 children)

i just wish Xbox came out swinging with a compatibility layer for the Xbox game library

Though not officially announced, signs of that are appearing already, including a hint or two in the speech of the conference.

And for plenty of people, being able to play live service games that don't work on SteamOS, with a UI that's almost as good finally, will be enough.

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 hours ago

Oh and about the potential for native Xbox games running on PC handhelds... God i hope youre right.

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Is it good enough for you? Is that why you will get it? Where are these people you speak of...?

I highly doubt there are enough people that want that super particular use case to make this particular handheld stand out at all, especially ones that didnt meet their needs with another handheld already.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I hate live service games and Windows, so no, this device is not for me, but those are also the most popular games on the market by a wide margin. Despite how awful the Windows experience is today, there's still one Windows handheld sold for every two Steam Decks. That situation can only improve with a version of Windows designed for handhelds.

[–] k1ck455kc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 hours ago

I see your point with the millions that play those specific games, maybe i am just disappointed by microsoft only doing the bare minimum when they are forced to.

This is at least progress