Paul Jones / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Microsoft plans to merge Xbox and Home windows gaming experiences for handheld units.
- The corporate’s VP of Subsequent Era has mentioned that higher controller help and interface enhancements are on the horizon.
- Extra particulars and updates are anticipated to roll out later in 2025.
Microsoft’s ambitions for a handheld Xbox console are not any secret, although such a console is probably going still years away. For now, the closest different is utilizing the Xbox app and Game Pass on a Home windows-based handheld. Whereas purposeful, the expertise is much from excellent, as Home windows isn’t inherently designed for console-style gaming. That’s set to alter this 12 months.
Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of Subsequent Era, spoke to The Verge about main enhancements headed to Home windows handhelds in 2025 to carry a extra console-like Xbox gaming expertise.
Talking at an AMD and Lenovo occasion on the sidelines of CES 2025, Ronald hinted at an built-in method to carry the most effective of Xbox and Home windows collectively for handheld gaming units.
“We’ve been actually innovating for a very long time within the console house,” Ronald informed The Verge. “What we’re doing is basically centered on the right way to carry these improvements to the broader Home windows ecosystem, particularly for gamers and builders.”
Enhancing the Home windows handheld expertise
The present state of Home windows on handheld units leaves a lot to be desired, generally requiring workarounds just like the community-created fork of SteamOS. Ronald acknowledged these points with Home windows handhelds and guaranteed customers that the corporate goes to simplify the expertise.
“We’re centered on actually simplifying that and making it far more like a console expertise,” he mentioned. “Our purpose is to place the participant and their library on the middle of the expertise, not all of the (Home windows) work it’s a must to do at present,” he added.
Microsoft can also be investing in bettering controller help for Home windows handhelds and redesigning the interface to really feel native to handheld gaming. “There are simply sure issues in Home windows that weren’t designed for folks with no keyboard and mouse,” Ronald mentioned.
Quite than porting a customized Xbox working system to handheld PCs, Microsoft plans to reinforce Home windows handhelds with Xbox-centric options. “On the finish of the day, our purpose is to make Home windows nice for gaming on any gadget,” mentioned Ronald.
Extra particulars are anticipated later this 12 months, however Ronald assured players that adjustments are on the horizon. “I believe it’s going to be a journey, and also you’ll see a number of investments over time.”
