Microsoft Reveals Its Push For Handheld Also Includes Bridging Windows PC & Xbox

Although Xbox is a standing player in the console space, it tails behind both Nintendo & PlayStation. But what Microsoft is chasing that its competitors is not is the open market across multiple devices – including those that are not from Microsoft. Previously, the Xbox firm revealed its ‘This Is An Xbox’ campaign which redirects what defines and Xbox as multiple devices can do this now from TVs to smartphones and even Meta Quest.

Additionally, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has stated that the firm is also developing a new definition for Xbox users. While console is what brought the platform to its current placement, that is not the future for Xbox as Microsoft has worded. One element that Microsoft has entertained and just recently confirmed is that a new handheld is being developed internally for the next generation.

Moreover, it is now understood that Microsoft is also working to bridge Xbox & Windows as well. Although the firm already established its own Windows Store for gaming & Xbox Game Pass, there is still an evident divide compared to its users in the living room. Speaking to The Verge, Microsoft vice president of next generation Jason Roland says one drive for the firm is to bring Xbox to Windows PCs.

“We’ve been really innovating for a long time in the console space. As we partner across the industry it’s about bringing those innovations that we’ve incubated and developed in the console space and bringing them to PC and bringing them to the handheld gaming space,” Roland says. Recently, Valve announced SteamOS will be a licensed operating system intended for handhelds and Microsoft is also working towards the same path.

“I would say it’s bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together, because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but it’s really locked to the console. What we’re doing is we’re really focused on bringing those experiences for both players and developers to the broader Windows ecosystem.”

On the topic of Valve, evidence uncovered recently appears to show efforts for a second go at a new Steam console. While there is no confirmation, it is understood that the is Valve were to bring its operating system to the living room could be damaging for Xbox, of course, as well as the other major players. So for Xbox to be natively on Windows would extend the reach for Microsoft that is slowly shrinking.

“There’s just certain things in Windows that were not designed for if you don’t have a keyboard and mouse, like thumbstick support or joypads and stuff like that. There’s fundamental interaction models that we’re working on to make sure that regardless of the operating system details it feels very natively like a gaming-centric device and a gaming-centric experience.”

Are you surprised by Microsoft’s new drive for Xbox on Windows?

Source: The Verge