Slapping the Xbox name onto the ass-end of an overpriced and confusingly named steam deck clone is definitley the funniest way to kill the Xbox brand.
I mean Nokia had the NGage which was designed to look like goat-c, so the bar IS high.
Actually I think this is the only way to save Xbox, at least as a very first baby step. I’d bet you dollars to donuts that in ten years, there will be no functional distinction between Xbox and Windows gaming, and Xbox games will be running on PCs.
So in ten years Xbox won't exist as a brand at all? I agree. No need to take the bet.
I think what you're describing is exactly what Microsoft is doing. Except I think it's incredibly short sighted from a business, consumer, and brand perspective.
IMO, It's basically the brand equivalent of seppuku.
With no functional distinction between Xbox and Windows, you just get the entirety of the Xbox ecosystem silently competing with all of Steam. But even worse: it's now just the word Xbox on Windows. And everyone really hates Windows at the moment. It's bleeding OS marketshare to Linux like nothing I've ever seen.
So they want to put the entirety of Xbox recognition on a Platform (PC) that their console users won't be familiar with, and the OS they're integrating it with is actively losing users. Mostly to Linux. Which Steam has an entire OS built on top of that anyone can use for their games for free.
So the consumer choice for PC users will be between:
Steam OS based on Linux for free. Runs all steam games and has a desktop mode for all other apps.
Windows 11 for $hundreds, smaller pool of games + worse performance.
I don't think people are going to choose option 2 just because the word Xbox is in it somehow. Some might, but this is just HBO becoming MAX all over again, but without the escape plan of returning to HBO.
Destroying a console AND brand just to compete with Steam with an inferior product is incredibly dumb, and incredibly Microsoft.
I don’t think they’ll scuttle the brand, I think they’ll make Xbox a standard for compatibility backed up by custom hardware targets. Like the generation after next might be System X and System S, but you could have a custom PC build that certifies as “exceeds System S” and thus any app can reliably run at that level of quality as a guaranteed minimum. You could still buy an Xbox, but it would be more like a Steam Machine. And a handheld would simply be “any System S certified handheld, including the Xbox first party device”.
I agree this is clever, and a decent shot at evolving what an "Xbox" is. I just think it's spreading the brand thin when it's already been stretched far. While it would be very convenient and cool to have a certified Xbox machine, outside of CoD or Overwatch, there's not much software that makes the Xbox brand as a recognizable game service valuable.
Basically, If all Microsoft has to offer on our Xbox PC's are CoD and Overwatch, then that is what the name "Xbox" will be worth. I would not say either of those games have a bright future, let alone one that's uniquely identifiable as "Xbox."
So while I agree that Microsoft is making sure everything can be an Xbox, I disagree that will increase its brand value. I think, if anything, it will just further dilute the value of Xbox as a service or name that people relate to for games. If the only games offered are ones that have shrinking crowds, then what else is growing them that Xbox offers?
Imo, more entry points into having an Xbox doesn't mean there's more of a reason to enter.
It’s possible you’re right, but strategically, I think the Xbox brand is a lost cause on its own. PlayStation is just beating it up and stealing its lunch money at this point. On the PC side, Steam rules the roost and makes money hand over fist running other people’s games on other people’s operating systems. So it looks to me like the only valid move is to see if the combined PC/Xbox ecosystem can compete with either of them or, optimistically, both.
The catch will be that they need to position it properly and we all know how awesome they are at that coughxboxonecough. If they sell it as “buy an Xbox like you always have and it’ll play tens of thousands of PC games too OR buy a Windows PC and it can play Xbox games natively or with backwards compatibility now” then I think they have a shot.
I mean, imagine being able to play every Steam Deck-compatible game on your Xbox console OR your Xbox handheld by default, even if you bought it from Steam. That’s a goddamn value proposition if I ever saw one. Then they just need to try and win market share from Steam through distribution and ecosystem, which would be their next big battle.
Of course, I say all this as though they aren’t going to epically deuce the futon like they always do.
"how much it will cost depends entirely on the whims of our president and his unpredictable tariffs"
Oh its just another steam deck clone lol
Would I be able to play my entire existing steam library on this or...?
Clone of a clone of a steam deck that already wasn't selling well.
In places where Steam Deck isn't selling officially, the ROG Ally has been selling like hotcakes.
It’s almost like people trust Valve and don’t trust ASUS
Yes, but since it'll run Windows, it'll have half the battery life and half the frames at the same time!
IIRC yes it can run steam games
Thanks, I literally just looked this up and saw that is supposedly the case. That's very surprising to me. At least it has that
Microsoft seems to be throwing in the towel as far as driving people to their storefront is concerned. They’ll be putting out all their games on anything that can run them.
I'd argue this is not really the case, and their strategy has shifted to increasing the price of actually "owning" games to be a premium experience, ie all their new games are now $80, making subscription prices seem more attractive
I want a SteamDeck 2 so bad I’ve been eyeing these clones.
I have the original and passed on upgrading to the OLED. It really hasn't shown much age at all, yet. I'm not really playing AAA or demanding titles on it, anyway, and it works perfectly for all of the games I do want to play on it. I figure the limiting factor will be the battery, and that seems to be just as good as it was new.
The clones aren't acceptable replacements to me, they are more of handheld-consoles than handheld-PCs. If it doesn't have touchpads, I don't want it, period.
Until recently I'd have agreed with you, but some recently released games (like E33) are either locked to very low settings (and still has bad framerate despite that), or even run like shit (Sword of the Sea) even on low.
So yeah, I'm kinda feeling the need for an upgrade right now, and as much as I hate Microsoft, depending on how it will cost I may be tempted... If it runs Bazzite well.
I dunno, I don't play these games. The most demanding game I play on steam deck is Oblivion Remastered which runs fine with upscaling/framegen and lowish settings. The nostalgia factor makes low settings totally fine for this game, too, so its not a big deal. Anything game where I want great graphics and performance, I'll just play on my desktop.
For $900 you could literally just build a decent desktop, but you do you
I also have the original and really should just be happy with it as it suites my needs. Never had an OLED screen so it’s mostly just that I suppose. Was debating the screen upgrade as well but the install video was a bit much for me. Going to keep my money for whatever hardware is next for Valve. Really would love to see Index 2 this year.
At that price point, you may as well get a laptop, desktop, or just a frigging XBox (with some games).
Excuse my observation but this is just a Rog Ally with Xbox sticker on it no? Besides that are we just using Xbox label to call things Xbox now ? I guess I don’t get the originality of this
It’s a little confusing because of things shifting around but my understanding is that this the launch of Microsoft’s debloated and handheld gaming targeted version of Windows. Basically they saw what a better experience SteamOS was and realized it was a problem.
Microsoft’s debloated
Hehe.
I think it's actually the opposite, as they claimed to have optimised it for gaming with interface and QOL catered to the purpose. That's more bloat when Microsoft does it.
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