Microsoft Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed the tech giant is developing a handheld gaming device, a rumor circulating for some time. However, its release remains far on the horizon.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Spencer revealed the handheld is currently in the prototyping phase. Even with a finalized design, a market launch is still several years away. “Longer term, I love us building devices,” Spencer stated. “And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now.”
Phil Spencer at the Bethesda roundtable.Microsoft Xbox CEO Phil Spencer discusses the future of gaming hardware.
The handheld gaming market has seen a surge in new devices in recent years, dominated by the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Other competitors like the Logitech G Cloud and Asus ROG Ally further crowd the field. Even rival PlayStation entered the arena with the PlayStation Portal, a device focused on streaming games from the PlayStation 5.
Microsoft executives have hinted at a potential Xbox handheld for a while, with Spencer himself fueling much of the speculation. He has frequently discussed handhelds, and in a June interview with IGN, emphasized Xbox’s ambition to broaden its hardware offerings. “The future for us in hardware is pretty awesome,” he commented. “The work that the team is doing around different form factors and different ways to play, I’m incredibly excited about.”
Despite this enthusiasm, a leaked roadmap from a recent FTC trial outlining Xbox’s plans through 2030 indicated a dedicated handheld is “not in scope for first party” development.
In September, Xbox vice president Sarah Bond told Bloomberg about her vision to reach gamers regardless of their platform. Xbox Game Pass’s expansion across various platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, underscores this commitment. “I want people to think no matter who you are, you can come to Xbox and find a game,” she explained.
Spencer also revealed Microsoft’s ongoing interest in acquisitions to penetrate new markets, particularly Asia, and further explore mobile gaming. The Activision Blizzard acquisition, bringing Candy Crush Saga developer King under the Xbox umbrella, marks a significant step in this direction. “We definitely want to be in the market,” Spencer affirmed. “And when we can find teams and technology and capability that add to what we’re trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, absolutely we will keep our heads up.”
In conclusion, while the prospect of an Xbox handheld is exciting, it remains a long-term goal. Microsoft’s current focus on market research and strategic acquisitions suggests a measured approach to entering the competitive handheld gaming landscape.
