Microsoft Gaming and NetEase have entered into an agreement to explore bringing new NetEase games to Xbox consoles and other platforms.
26.03.2024 - 12:51 / eurogamer.net / Phil Spencer / Sarah Bond
Xbox gaming boss Phil Spencer has discussed the idea of a Microsoft handheld games device, and how Xbox games should play on third-party handheld hardware.
Spencer, a keen handheld PC enthusiast, told Polygon that Microsoft was discussing «different hardware form factors and things that [they] could go do» to grow the Xbox audience further.
«What should we build that will find new players?» Spencer mused. «That will allow people to play at times when they couldn't go play [in the past]?»
To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Newscast: Behind the headlines of GDC, a cautious sense of hope.Watch on YouTubeIn the nearer term, Spencer said he was keen to improve the Xbox experience on existing PC handheld hardware — such as the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally — and has a list of new features in mind.
«I like the fact that Valve, Lenovo, and Asus went out and innovated in a new form factor,» Spencer continued. «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.
»I want to be able to log in with a controller. I've got my list of things we should go do."
Spencer said he was keen to continue supporting Xbox gaming on handheld technology for developers, too — as a way to ship an 'Xbox' game that is playable on a range of devices that then ultimately reaches more players.
The ambition, Spencer suggested, was for game ownership to span different handheld brands, all compatible with Xbox features such as cross-save and social connectivity.
Xbox president Sarah Bond reportedly told Microsoft staff last month that «every screen is an Xbox», as the company discussed plans to exist on multiple devices.
The idea of an Xbox handheld is nothing new. Back in 2017, Spencer said Microsoft had «roughly designed an Xbox handheld» in the past, and more recently has been spotted interacting with social media posts about handheld devices.
In the meantime, Xbox has begun launching a selection of its games on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation — with more expected to follow in the future.
But, of course, Xbox remains in the home console business still itself. It has new, under-wraps Xbox consoles launching later this year — expected to be redesigns of the existing Series X and S — before its proper next-gen Xbox launches down the line.
Microsoft Gaming and NetEase have entered into an agreement to explore bringing new NetEase games to Xbox consoles and other platforms.
While the name Kareem Choudhry may not be as well-known as, say, Phil Spencer or Matt Booty, Xbox fans who keep abreast with the company’s announcements and showcases are likely to be familiar with his face. As corporate vice president of emerging technologies at Xbox, Choudhry was in charge of a lot of the more innovative things Microsoft’s gaming division offered in recent years, including backward compatibility and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Gaming analyst Michael Pachter believes that Xbox Game Pass will reach over 200 million subscribers in the next 10 years. Pachter also highlighted what he says is a common misconception regarding Xbox Game Pass' current subscriber numbers.
Hi-Fi Rush was recently released on PlayStation 5, where an analysis identified the game to be running slightly better than on Xbox. Despite being a first-party Xbox title, Hi-Fi Rush continues a trend of such releases either performing worse or lacking features on Xbox Series X when compared to the PS5 launch.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has suggested that Microsoft would be willing to open up their console platform to third party storefronts. Could with see the likes of itch.io and Epic Games Store on Xbox in future?
Xbox head Phil Spencer has said that he wants to see more digital retailers on the console, such as the Epic Games Store and Itch.io.
In another interesting revelation, Xbox head Phil Spencer has reportedly backed the arrival of third-party game stores on game consoles. This has led to Xbox fans anticipating the possible launch of game stores, like Steam, on Microsoft's console.
Microsoft's gaming head Phil Spencer has said he wants to feature more digital storefronts on Xbox consoles.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer says he’d like to see other digital storefronts appearing on Xbox consoles in the future.
Phil Spencer has discussed the devastating wave of layoffs that has impacted the video games industry, and said he was «most concerned» about the overall «lack of growth».
Xbox head Phil Spencer wants to see more digital storefronts such as Epic and Itch.io on Microsoft's consoles.
The CEO of Microsoft's games arm, Phil Spencer, has said that the industry's abundant layoffs are related to market contraction.