Microsoft is gearing up to revolutionize the gaming experience on Windows handheld devices. Although an Xbox gaming handheld from Microsoft may still be a few years away, the company is taking steps to merge the best features of Xbox and Windows for handheld gaming enthusiasts.
Currently, players can access Xbox titles on Windows handheld devices using Game Pass and its dedicated app. However, this setup lacks the genuine, native console-like feel. Microsoft intends to change that by creating a more integrated and seamless experience.
In a recent conversation, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s Vice President of Next Generation, highlighted the company’s ambitious plans for enhancing Windows gaming handhelds by 2025. According to Ronald, Microsoft’s goal is to infuse the comforts of console gaming into the Windows environment, simplifying usage while amplifying the user’s experience.
The focus is on making the gaming encounter much like a genuine console experience, where players and their game libraries take center stage. To achieve this, Microsoft is looking to enhance controller support and design a user-friendly interface tailored for gaming without the traditional keyboard and mouse setup.
Importantly, these enhancements won’t be rolled out as a separate Xbox operating system. Instead, they will manifest as Xbox-oriented features seamlessly integrated into Windows handheld gaming, enhancing overall user engagement.
While Ronald refrained from providing an exact timeline for these changes, he assured that gamers can expect these developments sooner rather than later. Recent updates to the Xbox app interface for Windows handheld devices are seen as the initial steps in this exciting venture.
Microsoft’s vision is clear: to create an immersive, streamlined gaming experience by bridging the best of both Xbox and Windows platforms, ensuring that every gaming session is as captivating and smooth as it can be.
