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[Sinfulgore]

That's a good point. Can't argue that. I think because Xbox's name is on it...I may subconsciously think it's in the same vein as the Switch 2 or consoles...when that really isn't fair. I think it really boils down to actual use. How it feels to play. Do I feel like I'm playing on a PC or a game console? Xbox's new UI would go a long way to determining that either way. If it works seamlessly and functions close to what we see on a Series X/S that's pretty conclusive. We'll see if they can pull it off I guess.

Also, I think it's because so many people in the gaming press keep pushing this narrative that this is an Xbox console, and other people keep repeating it. I have the original Asus ROG Ally, and I can tell you it feels like a PC because that's what it is. I'm a PC gamer so I don't have a problem with that but I wouldn't come into this or any of these PC handhelds looking for a console-like experience. Even the Steam Deck, with its console-like UI still suffers from PC problems like the uncertainty of whether games will be playable or not.

If MS puts the Xbox name on it, we should only blame them for the confusion.

I disagree. The confusion comes from the misinformation and speculation being spread about it. Sony put the PlayStation name on the portal, but people weren't labeling that a new PlayStation console. To be fair, though, I think some of the confusion surrounding the Rog Xbox Ally X stems from the fact that a lot of people in the gaming press and even people here know very little about PC gaming, so a device like this is very new to them.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

In theory… Maybe!….

But I think it would take a deep collaboration with Valve, and some lower level black magic coding than what they've been doing on Linux. And why would they help each other on this journey? We'll likely see competing SteamOS devices on the market the same time as Xbox branded devices with a new Windows console-UI.

Nope I just don't see it as a realistic scenario.

Sorry HeisenbergFX4 if I'm too harsh here. Just don't understand how they'll put the needed puzzle pieces together. And they're all in on the PC merger right now, even said in the AMD partnership video that the plan is to make Windows the best place to play.

No need to apologize but I appreciate it

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

Disclaimer/warning:
Green text is about the upcoming Xbox console while Blue text is about the Xbox branded PCs and Orange text is for general thoughts/impressions of MS's strategy

I think it's more of what's a PC. If the new "Xbox" can boot into "Windows Lite" mode and run Steam and Epic launchers, is that an Xbox or PC?

Either way, you provide a ton of great info and commentary HeisenbergFX4 and don't have to prove jack to anyone.

And whether Xbox, Hybrid or PC, it's going to be interesting to see what MS does. Personally I just want "Windows Lite" option available for regular gaming PCs and other handhelds.

This makes a lot of sense to me. The next "in-house" Xbox having a boot-up screen allowing you to choose either legacy Xbox environment or the new Windows lite environment. Either that or a VM layer for running 3rd party stores/games (tbh I'm not sure about the legal loopholes regarding software licencing when running through a VM).

But again, I understand where MS is coming from with their desire to leverage the Xbox brand on these handhelds (and future Xbox branded PC devices) but it just muddies the water so much. If they want to pivot the userbase towards PC then they probably would benefit by doing it in slower and more deliberate way IMO.

They could've branded the handhelds something else, easily differentiated, but still recognizable Like XPC or some shit like that. And then call the windows lite environment/VM layer on the Xbox console the same, to slowly get customers used to the idea of a future in the PC space and then build upon that.

I don't think HeisenbergFX4 is factually wrong in any of his statements. Whether it's a VM layer, a light container or a dual-boot scenario dosen't dicredit his statement about the next Xbox console being able to play Steam games.

But at the end of the day, MS has a huge team of market researchers, professional PR wizards, legal advisors and insight into their own market. So they must know what their doing right?

No matter what happens it's going to be interesting to see it unfold.

Lol, now I've confused myself.

 

[tr1p1ex]

That's how it should be with their strategy to spread the Xbox brand out of the console bubble and unlock it from specific hardware. If "Xbox" means something specific they've failed.

Look at what Valve is doing with Steam. You don't know if someone playing through Steam on PC use a Lenovo or Razer or home built PC or if they use Linux or Windows or have a AMD or Nvidia graphics card. It's just Steam on PC.
That's what I see Microsoft trying to copy.

In the end "Xbox" will be a launcher, accessed on all kinds of hardwares, that also have Microsoft specific hardware as an option and it's own OS/UI. Similar to Steam and Steam Deck and other SteamOS devices.

If they could they would 100% have the Xbox App on Playstation 5 and Switch 2 too, including Gamepass. But Sony and Nintendo don't want that, so for now Xbox and Gamepass will be on… well… everything else.

Yep. It's STeam except with more branding.

And really you could say Steam is Xbox for the pc. Xbox came out first.

 

[Topher]

Yeah I don't really care to be honest, if it doesn't make sense then it doesn't make sense, doesn't matter if Phil himself would say they're doing it.
You're on PC. How can Steam run on an Xbox console that isn't a PC and how can regular PC versions bought on regular Steam run on that device???

I mean.....it doesn't make sense to me either and I said as much to HeisenbergFX4 in the past. I'm just waiting to see how they make it work.

 

[StereoVsn]

But at the end of the day, MS has a huge team of market researchers, professional PR wizards, legal advisors and insight into their own market. So they must know what their doing right?

No matter what happens it's going to be interesting to see it unfold.

Lol, now I've confused myself.

MS knows what they are doing?

 

[djjinx2]

In theory… Maybe!….

But I think it would take a deep collaboration with Valve, and some lower level black magic coding than what they've been doing on Linux. And why would they help each other on this journey? We'll likely see competing SteamOS devices on the market the same time as Xbox branded devices with a new Windows console-UI.

Nope I just don't see it as a realistic scenario.

Sorry HeisenbergFX4 if I'm too harsh here. Just don't understand how they'll put the needed puzzle pieces together. And they're all in on the PC merger right now, even said in the AMD partnership video that the plan is to make Windows the best place to play.

Your going way too deep here my friend.
Series X runs DirectX, as well as windows PC's do too. Windows isn't a million miles away from Xbox software, a compatibility layer wouldn't be that hard to run windows apps and versions of games inc Steam.

SteamOS can play many many Windows titles through such a compatibility layer. It wouldn't be that hard for MS to do.

 

[mckmas8808]

He got a point!

 

[Topher]

He got a point!

He might, but I can never get past the cringe thumbnails

 

[Boo Who?]

To be fair, MS can shitcan any future console plans tomorrow and announce they are 3rd party hardware and software only. The decisions at Xbox seem to change as frequently as some of us change our pants.

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

Hey MSFT, it's time.

 

[Victorboris1987]

To be fair, MS can shitcan any future console plans tomorrow and announce they are 3rd party hardware and software only. The decisions at Xbox seem to change as frequently as some of us change our pants.

That's what I've been predicting for well over a year now, but my only sources are the microplastics inside my brain.

 

[//DEVIL//]

why some people ( even youtubers ) do not have the ability to understand that Euro prices have the taxes built in ?

This system is going to be 800 to 900 max.

If I don't own a gaming PC and I am a handheld gamer mostly, I would buy that in a heartbeat ( as a matter of fact, I was offered a Rog Ally X for my Switch 2, I got it, played it, didn't like it. Talked to the guy ( friend of mine ) and got my Switch 2 back.

Not to say the system is not nice ( aside from the small, annoying 7-inch screen, I didn't like it ). I just thought when on the go, playing with something like Switch 2 is more fun and still have access to Nintendo exclusive games. I have a controller I do attach to my iPhone and I stream my PC gaming using moonlight to my phone to play PC games without input lag/drop). so to me. These systems are really useless. But of course, to each his own.

 

[GHG]

Yeah I don't really care to be honest, if it doesn't make sense then it doesn't make sense, doesn't matter if Phil himself would say they're doing it.
You're on PC. How can Steam run on an Xbox console that isn't a PC and how can regular PC versions bought on regular Steam run on that device???

They can't unless it's a PC. That's the bottom line and I think that if anyone is being led to believe otherwise then there are people at Microsoft/xbox who are taking advantage of their lack of knowledge/understanding in this area. Because the first question anyone with familiarity of how steam (and PC gaming in general works) would ask is "how?", but they've clearly banked on that not being asked to ensure the rumour mill runs wild.

And I'll say it again, they will attempt market whatever it ends up being as a "console", but once people look behind the marketing they will realise it's not too different from whatever the Xbox ROG Ally ends up being.

Also, there's this:

In addition, look at how the media are categorising it:

Xbox handheld console finally revealed after decade of speculation

The ROG Xbox Ally will use Game Pass on-the-go - meaning subscribers start off with hundreds of games.

www.bbc.com

The price of the ROG Xbox Ally consoles may have leaked online, and it looks like the ROG Xbox Ally X could cost over $1000

The ROG Xbox Ally X could cost over $1,000

www.techradar.com

As reported by Spanish publication 3djuegos(via GamesRadar), the console prices were leaked through product boxes on Google.

It appears that the ROG Xbox Ally will cost €599, while the ROG Xbox Ally X will be priced much higher at €899. After converting, the prices respectively translate to $699 and $1,050, and, if accurate, this will make them Xbox's most expensive consoles yet.

It's all intentional obfuscation.

 

[Fess]

I mean.....it doesn't make sense to me either and I said as much to HeisenbergFX4 in the past. I'm just waiting to see how they make it work.

My take is simply that it's impossible. I think they need common PC hardware, common gfx and audio hw and drivers, regular Windows, etc.

Otherwise regular Steam won't run on it, they would have to make it a separate version with a separate (tiny) library that will please no one. And if they go the VM route performance would likely be a joke.

Mac just got Cyberpunk now if I understood the CDPR stream correctly. 5 years later. That's what I think would happen unless Microsoft go full PC.

Also, if by a miracle it just works… then I'm not sure all devs/pubs would be happy about their PC version appearing on a console, that is not a PC, before their actual big money marketed planned console release…

And how is Moon Studios hyping their 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked, where they will release it on console, if it's already available on Xbox through Steam? What if it runs terribly, because the hardware just isn't up for the task without specific console optimization, and kill any hype?

 

[GHG]

My take is simply that it's impossible. I think they need common PC hardware, common gfx and audio hw and drivers, regular Windows, etc.

Otherwise regular Steam won't run on it, they would have to make it a separate version with a separate (tiny) library that will please no one. And if they go the VM route performance would likely be a joke.

Mac just got Cyberpunk now if I understood the CDPR stream correctly. 5 years later. That's what I think would happen unless Microsoft go full PC.

Also, if by a miracle it just works… then I'm not sure all devs/pubs would be happy about their PC version appearing on a console, that is not a PC, before their actual big money marketed planned console release…

And how is Moon Studios hyping their 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked, where they will release it on console, if it's already available on Xbox through Steam? What if it runs terribly, because the hardware just isn't up for the task without specific console optimization, and kill any hype?

Regarding VM's, it took Proton 7 years to get to where it is today, and that was an open source/community effort which has gone through many ups and downs over the years. That's not even mentioning the fact that Proton has its origins in Wine which in its current form started in 2005.

And if you go that route then you're getting in to compatability/legal issues which means there will end up being a huge asterisk next to the "it runs steam games" selling point.

Meanwhile Satya would be looking on at all this unnecessary complication and will tell them to just run Windows.

 

[Fess]

Your going way too deep here my friend.
Series X runs DirectX, as well as windows PC's do too. Windows isn't a million miles away from Xbox software, a compatibility layer wouldn't be that hard to run windows apps and versions of games inc Steam.

SteamOS can play many many Windows titles through such a compatibility layer. It wouldn't be that hard for MS to do.

I actually know a bit about that since I'm making a Unity game. Compiled it as a UWP, did the terrible process of transferring it to the Series X in dev mode. Could start it. But no controls worked and I was stuck on the title screen. Apparently I had to program the controller segment in a specific way or it would fail on Xbox even though it worked just fine on PC. Never bothered to fix it because I could see that it would just be a hassle, it never just works, there are too many differences. Even when everything is supposed to be easy and platform independent.

And now we're talking about running regular Windows releases on a Xbox console with non-PC hardware? Nah. Can't see it working. Even having some less known motherboard or less popular graphics card can give you issues.

 

[Jigsaah]

I'm sure this has been mentioned in another thread at some point, but a couple of weeks ago I was watching Sacred Symbols and Colin had a very interesting question. How does Xbox make money on the ROG Xbox Ally (X) or any future console if they also have Steam and other store fronts on the box? Doesn'tthis cut directly into their share of sales for their games? Especially when it comes down to 3rd party. If there's a choice to buy games on Steam or Xbox's platform, how do they recoup money for the people who are buying these 3rd party games on Steam?

I mean there has to be some sort of plan or agreement because under current conditions, Xbox is basically giving money away it seems. I haven't heard a good answer to this yet. Anybody got an idea? The craziest shit i've heard on the internet is "What if Xbox buys Steam?" So if that's your answer, just keep it to yourself.

 

[Fess]

How does Xbox make money on the ROG Xbox Ally (X) or any future console if they also have Steam and other store fronts on the box?

Gamepass.
If they control what the UI show, like they do in the Xbox App, they can stear people toward Gamepass and increase the subscription count. Might get some purchases through the Microsoft/Xbox Store as well with clever in app advertising.

For Microsoft it's suicide to let Steam big picture mode rule the living room or handheld space. I used to boot my couch PC into Steam BPM, Gamepass and Microsoft Store and even Windows itself basically doesn't exist. Valve ain't playing ball, they're hiding everything else very very well, you see 5 seconds of the Windows desktop and after that it's all Steam.

 

[Sinfulgore]

I'm sure this has been mentioned in another thread at some point, but a couple of weeks ago I was watching Sacred Symbols and Colin had a very interesting question. How does Xbox make money on the ROG Xbox Ally (X) or any future console if they also have Steam and other store fronts on the box? Doesn'tthis cut directly into their share of sales for their games? Especially when it comes down to 3rd party. If there's a choice to buy games on Steam or Xbox's platform, how do they recoup money for the people who are buying these 3rd party games on Steam?

I mean there has to be some sort of plan or agreement because under current conditions, Xbox is basically giving money away it seems. I haven't heard a good answer to this yet. Anybody got an idea? The craziest shit i've heard on the internet is "What if Xbox buys Steam?" So if that's your answer, just keep it to yourself.

Microsoft will probably make money on each unit sold or they got paid a licensing fee so ASUS could use the Xbox Branding. Similar to how Microsoft makes money on Windows PCs. PC manufacturers have to pay Microsoft to sell a PC with Windows installed on it.

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

I'm sure this has been mentioned in another thread at some point, but a couple of weeks ago I was watching Sacred Symbols and Colin had a very interesting question. How does Xbox make money on the ROG Xbox Ally (X) or any future console if they also have Steam and other store fronts on the box? Doesn'tthis cut directly into their share of sales for their games? Especially when it comes down to 3rd party. If there's a choice to buy games on Steam or Xbox's platform, how do they recoup money for the people who are buying these 3rd party games on Steam?

I mean there has to be some sort of plan or agreement because under current conditions, Xbox is basically giving money away it seems. I haven't heard a good answer to this yet. Anybody got an idea? The craziest shit i've heard on the internet is "What if Xbox buys Steam?" So if that's your answer, just keep it to yourself.

Any one of these - all of these - or non of these. Your pick is as good as anybodies.

- Gently (or not so gently) nudge people, on an OS level, to use the Xbox/MS store & ofc sign up for an MS account.

- Raise the core price of games they publish to entice people to sign up to game pass, further entrenching them to your store.

- Publish massively popular game after massively popular game, cashing in on it selling on all storefronts.

- Hope and dreams.

- Add all the AI + ? = huge profits

- Make the store bigger, better, faster, cheaper, more pro-consumer, take a smaller cut from devs/pubs then Valve and be the first store to champion digital ownership of games.

- Assasinate Gabe

- Hire Andrew Wilson to turn your players into payers.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Will have to wait and see how its implemented as honestly, I don't know, I just knew it was coming or let me rephrase, I knew quite some time ago they were pushing hard for this, like 2 years ago maybe would have to look back at texts

Didn't Xbox say directly in their video their next console would have multiple store front?

I mean I know these companies lie and MS/Xbox is great at lying and misleading, so I am not saying that's 100% proof

But I knew it was coming

Yeah they did.

My point it'll be via Windows lol

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Yeah they did.

My point it'll be via Windows lol

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

 

[Jigsaah]

Any one of these - all of these - or non of these. Your pick is as good as anybodies.

- Gently (or not so gently) nudge people, on an OS level, to use the Xbox/MS store & ofc sign up for an MS account.

- Raise the core price of games they publish to entice people to sign up to game pass, further entrenching them to your store.

- Publish massively popular game after massively popular game, cashing in on it selling on all storefronts.

- Hope and dreams.

- Add all the AI + ? = huge profits

- Make the store bigger, better, faster, cheaper, more pro-consumer, take a smaller cut from devs/pubs then Valve and be the first store to champion digital ownership of games.

- Assasinate Gabe

- Hire Andrew Wilson to turn your players into payers.

The AI thing seems to be them most plausible solution. they're investing 80 billion into it and they are a software company, so that makes sense.

Microsoft will probably make money on each unit sold or they got paid a licensing fee so ASUS could use the Xbox Branding. Similar to how Microsoft makes money on Windows PCs. PC manufacturers have to pay Microsoft to sell a PC with Windows installed on it.

Ok I can see that, but what about the software. That's where the real money is after all. Well that and apparently subscriptions and services.

 

[MicTyson]

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

If GTA 6 can run at all on this thing, it won't be a technical masterpiece as expected.

 

[mckmas8808]

why some people ( even youtubers ) do not have the ability to understand that Euro prices have the taxes built in ?

This system is going to be 800 to 900 max.

If I don't own a gaming PC and I am a handheld gamer mostly, I would buy that in a heartbeat ( as a matter of fact, I was offered a Rog Ally X for my Switch 2, I got it, played it, didn't like it. Talked to the guy ( friend of mine ) and got my Switch 2 back.

Not to say the system is not nice ( aside from the small, annoying 7-inch screen, I didn't like it ). I just thought when on the go, playing with something like Switch 2 is more fun and still have access to Nintendo exclusive games. I have a controller I do attach to my iPhone and I stream my PC gaming using moonlight to my phone to play PC games without input lag/drop). so to me. These systems are really useless. But of course, to each his own.

$900 is just WAAAAAY too much for most people. You have to understand that, right?

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

If GTA 6 can run at all on this thing, it won't be a technical masterpiece as expected.

Wasn't my question

 

[kevboard]

If GTA 6 can run at all on this thing, it won't be a technical masterpiece as expected.

GTA6 will run on a Series S. the Series S isn't much more powerful than the Z2 Extreme (in fact the Z2 Extreme does have some advantages over the Series S)

 

[mckmas8808]

Ok I can see that, but what about the software. That's where the real money is after all. Well that and apparently subscriptions and services.

It's that and Gamepass. That's it.

 

[Topher]

My take is simply that it's impossible. I think they need common PC hardware, common gfx and audio hw and drivers, regular Windows, etc.

Otherwise regular Steam won't run on it, they would have to make it a separate version with a separate (tiny) library that will please no one. And if they go the VM route performance would likely be a joke.

Mac just got Cyberpunk now if I understood the CDPR stream correctly. 5 years later. That's what I think would happen unless Microsoft go full PC.

Also, if by a miracle it just works… then I'm not sure all devs/pubs would be happy about their PC version appearing on a console, that is not a PC, before their actual big money marketed planned console release…

And how is Moon Studios hyping their 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked, where they will release it on console, if it's already available on Xbox through Steam? What if it runs terribly, because the hardware just isn't up for the task without specific console optimization, and kill any hype?

I would have said getting Steam games running on Linux to an extent worth playing wasn't likely until Valve did it. Heck, getting 360 games running on Xbox One was doable. Considering Windows and Xbox are based all Microsoft tech....I don't see why that would be a bigger lift than previous efforts. Impossible? Nah....don't see that at all.

Now getting it there and all devs/pubs being ok with it is a different story. Heck, that seems more daunting than the tech hurdles, frankly. At the same time, wasn't like Valve needed Microsoft's permission to do what they did with Linux. Maybe that works both ways..

 

[demigod]

Microsoft will probably make money on each unit sold or they got paid a licensing fee so ASUS could use the Xbox Branding. Similar to how Microsoft makes money on Windows PCs. PC manufacturers have to pay Microsoft to sell a PC with Windows installed on it.

They are already making money since the Rog Ally uses Windows. I doubt Asus are paying ms extra money just for this "sticker".

 

[IntentionalPun]

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

Well yeah it will either way because they've promised XSX hardware BC.

 

[jm89]

Microsoft will probably make money on each unit sold or they got paid a licensing fee so ASUS could use the Xbox Branding. Similar to how Microsoft makes money on Windows PCs. PC manufacturers have to pay Microsoft to sell a PC with Windows installed on it.

License fee for Xbox branding?



Hopefully it's Asus being paid for that "privelage".

 

[//DEVIL//]

$900 is just WAAAAAY too much for most people. You have to understand that, right?

I am not saying I am rich. (I am not ) I agree its not cheap Its a PC. what are you expecting? Just like all the other portable PCs ( MSI is the same price, Lenovo is the same price why they are not getting the heat? Just because MS has its Xbox name on it? What kind of logic is this?

This is not a subsidized system where MS will take a hit or break even or ok with a small profit by making money elsewhere.

This is basically a niche product for a niche market. This is just a PC like the previous Rog ally X ( which was/still valued at the same price, which is still expensive, just like most PCs are these days ).

There is nothing new here, MS marketing an Oculus Rift Xbox version doesn't make it an Xbox product. Same goes for this product. Or a Samsung TV with an Xbox logo on it. It's just the same thing.

Lying to people as marketing, making people think this is an Xbox is just pure BS to the highest level.

MS as a hardware company, is done for. Even their new next-gen Xbox system is a PC with an Xbox emulation running in the background ( maybe even )

 

[Sinfulgore]

They are already making money since the Rog Ally uses Windows. I doubt Asus are paying ms extra money just for this "sticker".

They probably are, or Microsoft is making money on each unit sold. You don't get to make an official licensed product for free, and being an official licensed product is more than just putting a sticker on it.

 

[KeplerL2]

And how do you think this next gen console will include Steam?

They could add Steam support to Xbox Series X/S tomorrow if they wanted, the reason they don't is the current business model is subsidized HW with locked down storefront.

 

[StereoVsn]

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

That's a very good point. If they are launching next year, they have to be able to run GTA, so they have to have at least an "Xbox mode".

If they are launching in 2027, then who knows.

 

[adamsapple]

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

It's gonna run the Xbox version of GTA for sure, and is R* adds bespoke new gen enhancements, those too.

But it won't turn it into a non existent PC version.

 

[demigod]

They could add Steam support to Xbox Series X/S tomorrow if they wanted, the reason they don't is the current business model is subsidized HW with locked down storefront.

So the next xbox is really over $1k? Goodness

 

[//DEVIL//]

100% asking your opinion

Will it run the GTA 6 day one knowing there wont be a PC version at launch?

I know you were asking him. but that question is misleading lol.

Are you asking if GTA6 will ever run on Rog Ally X ? Wouldn't that depend on the minimum requirement for it on PC ( I don't think this device is gonna cut it )

Are you asking if it's going to run the Xbox version? Then no, it won't.

It's gonna run the Xbox version of GTA for sure, and is R* adds bespoke new gen enhancements, those too.

But it won't turn it into a non existent PC version.

I don't see it happening, unless this device can run Xbox games natively through an emulator of some sort. It's not gonna happen.

 

[Jigsaah]

I am not saying rich. I agree its not cheap Its a PC. what are you expecting? Just like all the other portable PCs ( MSI is the same price, Lenovo is the same price why they are not getting the heat? Just because MS has its Xbox name on it? What kind of logic is this?

This is not a subsidized system where MS will take a hit or break even or ok with a small profit by making money elsewhere.

This is basically a niche product for a niche market. This is just a PC like the previous Rog ally X ( which was/still valued at the same price, which is still expensive, just like most PCs are these days ).

There is nothing new here, MS marketing an Oculus Rift Xbox version doesn't make it an Xbox product. Same goes for this product. Or a Samsung TV with an Xbox logo on it. It's just the same thing.

Lying to people as marketing, making people think this is an Xbox is just pure BS to the highest level.

MS as a hardware company, is done for. Even their new next-gen Xbox system is a PC with an Xbox emulation running in the background ( maybe even )

Jeez I didn't know they were all this expensive. Thing is though, the customer essentially is trading a lot of the functionality that comes with a PC. That alone can make it hard pill to swallow. I can justify building my own custom PC investing over time in upgrading it. Sure it costed me thousands but it will piece by piece over the last 7 years. It's my parts, my choices and that freedom has a price, one I was obviously willing to pay. To trade all that for what essentially is a portable gaming pc without the rest of the functionality (video editing, streaming, production, music editing) is a hard sell at $1000 as an entry point. Especially if I can't upgrade it at all. Maybe I'm not the target audience...though I would still buy one if it was just a bit cheaper.

EDIT:
I just thought about this. Can this thing dock to a monitor and mouse n keyboard....or like to my gaming pc to handle certain tasks?

 

[GHG]

They could add Steam support to Xbox Series X/S tomorrow if they wanted, the reason they don't is the current business model is subsidized HW with locked down storefront.

Considering there isn't a steam client that isn't x64 I'm curious as to how this would work.

 

[IntentionalPun]

They could add Steam support to Xbox Series X/S tomorrow if they wanted, the reason they don't is the current business model is subsidized HW with locked down storefront.

Sure and they'd need windows ( or Linux but you know lol) on that hardware to do it.

They aren't releasing a loss leading device with Steam on it, and they aren't releasing a device with Steam on it that isn't running Windows (but they can lock out desktop support but it'll be messy-ish.)

 

[KeplerL2]

So the next xbox is really over $1k? Goodness

If they really go ahead with 3rd party store support then the Xbox Series X 2 or w/e it's called has to be sold at a profit so

Sure and they'd need windows ( or Linux but you know lol) on that hardware to do it.

They aren't releasing a loss leading device with Steam on it, and they aren't releasing a device with Steam on it that isn't running Windows (but they can lock out desktop support but it'll be messy-ish.)

Xbox is already Windows under the hood. Adding Steam or other 3rd party stores is a business decision not a technical one.

 

[//DEVIL//]

Jeez I didn't know they were all this expensive. Thing is though, the customer essentially is trading a lot of the functionality that comes with a PC. That alone can make it hard pill to swallow. I can justify building my own custom PC investing over time in upgrading it. Sure it costed me thousands but it will piece by piece over the last 7 years. It's my parts, my choices and that freedom has a price, one I was obviously willing to pay. To trade all that for what essentially is a portable gaming pc without the rest of the functionality (video editing, streaming, production, music editing) is a hard sell at $1000 as an entry point. Especially if I can't upgrade it at all. Maybe I'm not the target audience...though I would still buy one if it was just a bit cheaper.

EDIT:
I just thought about this. Can this thing dock to a monitor and mouse n keyboard....or like to my gaming pc to handle certain tasks?

1- I agree with you. Building a PC is obviously a much better option. Even buying a laptop for about the same price is a much faster option in gaming and a much better option. Again, this device is purely for people who want a handheld experience ( even though a laptop counts, its not the same thing as a handheld device to hold ), but that's why these devices are a very niche market.

2- PC in the long run, at least you can upgrade parts, you can change ram, you can change GPU, CPU, or whatever, it will still function better. This device will be considered outdated in a span of a year ( 3 years, 3 Asus ROG Ally devices ), each year one is better than the other.

and its not like they are so powerful, you would say I am happy with my old device, because the game optimization on PC is not super great, you will need as much power as you can squeeze out of these devices.

3- The resale value of these devices is a nightmare. go check Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of the first Rog Ally devices for sale, and no one is buying them unless its super cheap. Unlike, for example, Switch 2 in a year or so, will still hold a decent value compared to how much is it brand new.

4- 1k as an entry point for PC is barely the minimum ( a bit more than minimum but you know what I mean when you also need to factor a monitor screen too ). so for a 1k device, it's not so bad. The problem is that these devices are really weak. Even with the Xbox Rog ally Z2E, it wont even have FSR 4 AI to clean the image, still stuck with FSR1 to 3. So low resolution. trying to upscale to full HD, using FSR 1 to 3... yeah.. any mid or heavy game will look like shit. for 1k there are much better devices you can buy as a PC laptop, or gaming PC or even Switch 2


to answer your question in the Edit. Yes, you can. docks are like 20$ or 30$. all you need is one with a USB-C connection to connect to the device, and that dock has an HDMI to screen. you can also connect eGPU if you have one ( they are a bit expensive ), plus you need a GPU lol. so .. yeah, go back to building PC mini ITX and slap it under the TV. cheaper and way more performant if that is your goal.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Xbox is already Windows under the hood. Adding Steam or other 3rd party stores is a business decision not a technical one.

No it's not. It's an operating system more restrictive than Windows. You can't just install Steam on the Xbox OS.

Beyond that the games on Steam expect Windows to be there lol

 

[KeplerL2]

You can't just install Steam on the Xbox OS.

Because Microsoft won't let you, not because it's technically impossible.

 

[GHG]

Xbox is already Windows under the hood. Adding Steam or other 3rd party stores is a business decision not a technical one.

That was already evident when the emulation/dev mode circus happened, however anything that isn't an .appx package will not run on the Xbox series X/S.

There is no .appx version of steam or any of these other 3rd party stores for that matter, and any game that doesn't already reside on the windows/xbox store does not have an .appx version meaning the PC games themselves that ship on Steam and other 3rd party stores will not install or run on Series X/S hardware.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Because Microsoft won't let you, not because it's technically impossible.

Windows executables can't just run on Xbox OS.

There's loads of shared code but even just the fact everything needs to be signed to run on Xbox OS makes every game on Steam a no go, let alone that they aren't designed to install the same way or install packages that won't work, etc.

All of those things are.. how Windows works.. lets you install anything that can hit the underlying Windows APIs or even do kernel-level stuff. Xbox OS doesn't have a complete 100% compatible underlying API.

Even games that do use the acronym tech I can't remember (WGL or something?) still need separate installers and still have specific code for Windows wrapped around the main game execution.

 

[Topher]

Windows executables can't just run on Xbox OS.

There's loads of shared code but even just the fact everything needs to be signed to run on Xbox OS makes every game on Steam a no go, let alone that they aren't designed to install the same way or install packages that won't work, etc.

All of those things are.. how Windows works.. lets you install anything that can hit the underlying Windows APIs or even do kernel-level stuff. Xbox OS doesn't have a complete 100% compatible underlying API.

Even games that do use the acronym tech I can't remember (WGL or something?) still need separate installers and still have specific code for Windows wrapped around the main game execution.

What stops Microsoft from making the needed modifications so the next Xbox can do all the things you are saying current Xbox can't do?