Microsoft Puts Development Plans For XBox Handheld On Hold Indefinitely

While leaks and speculation led up to the announcement of the first official handheld Xbox device, plans for it have been halted by Microsoft. According to a report from MSN.com, this appears to be due to the growing success of the Steam Deck and Valve's OS support on their device.

The reason? Based on the story, Microsoft has incurred optimization problems; early testing has revealed greater challenges in getting Xbox games to run efficiently on the native hardware. Not wanting to incur a marketing and performance setback like the Zune, Microsoft changed the course of action to focus on optimizing Windows 11 to run PC more smoothly for the time. The Xbox handheld was planned to run with a modified version of Windows 11, rather than an Xbox-based operating system.

If Linux-based devices and other devices from Steam can provide a more streamlined gaming experience, and the Xbox handheld device is having issues performing the duties a Series X|S can, a chance to sit back and reevaluate their plans for a portable machine. No doubt an XBox Handheld could make the very use of their Game Pass digital service, Play Anywhere, and XCloud. With Lenovo Legion Go and ROG Ally currently outclassing the capabilities of Windows 11, it would behoove Microsoft to not release hardware that would be behind its most direct competitors, not to mention the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Its release date is planned for the latter half of 2025. Will that date be changed?

SOURCE: MSN