The rumor mill is spinning in all directions, but when it comes to a handheld console from Microsoft, we have to look back decades. Although Redmond has kept a good distance from that market, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has always had a good eye for the Steam Deck, the Lenovo Legion Go, and the ROG Ally. In fact, in a recent IGN Live interview, Spencer practically confirmed the console's existence and highlighted the "importance" of playing locally.
Phil Spencer: "I think we should have a handheld too"
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: handheld consoles are living one of their best moments. Public reception has been very good (with some exceptions), games keep gaining compatibility and performance, the efficiency of the available silicon keeps growing, and on top of that, we now have the appearance of mods that optimize aspects like battery or ergonomics.
Now, there is a company that has historically been conspicuously absent from the handheld console market, and that is Microsoft. Its systems have always been designed for the living room, and beyond special projects by modders and enthusiasts, nothing official has ever materialized… until now. In the last few hours, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming (and for many, one of the few coherent voices left in the company), took part in an interview at IGN Live, and this is what he shared:
The comment was quick, "in passing" and amidst laughter, but he immediately added that they should talk to Sarah Bond (president of the Xbox division), and that for them, the future of hardware "is fabulous." He also highlighted the work the whole team is doing regarding formats and gameplay styles, and that a time will come when they can talk more "about platforms."
Luckily, the host didn't let him "get away" so easily, and within a hypothetical framework, asked him whether a future portable Xbox console would seek to offer an experience similar to the Steam Deck with dedicated hardware, or whether it would need remote support. Spencer didn't hesitate: After confirming that he likes all handheld consoles (he owns a ROG Ally, a Legion Go, and a Steam Deck), he said that "playing locally is very important."
In short, everything seems to indicate that Xbox and Microsoft Gaming are cooking something up for the portable market. Will it be ready before the end of the year? 2025, perhaps? Can Redmond compete? We'll soon find out.
Sources: IGN, Ars Technica
