Microsoft: Xbox portable on way – Xbox mobile gaming coming
The mobile gaming sector is currently dominated by one company (Nintendo) with one delightful machine which appeals to the mass market (the DS). But the sector is becoming more crowded with the Apple iPhone offering casual gaming, and the PSP soon to be relaunched. Could Microsoft also be entering the fray with a portable Xbox?
The handheld gaming market is absolutely huge. As popular as the current-gen home consoles, the PS3, the Xbox 360, and the Wii are, they have all been outsold by the Nintendo DS. Even the much-maligned Sony PSP has sold almost 50 million units. And that’s sure to increase when the PSP Go arrives.
With that in mind, it’s a surprise Microsoft hasn’t already tried to also enter the market in order to grab a slice of that revenue pie. There were rumors back in 2006 (which is when the above picture comes from) about a portable Xbox being on its way but it turned out the Zune was a standard personal media player rather than a dedicated handheld gaming device.
But that doesn’t mean Microsoft hasn’t still kept one eye on the mobile gaming sector. In a recent interview with Kikizo, Microsoft Corporate VP Shane Kim explained that it’s really a matter of when rather than if when it comes to a portable Xbox console being developed. Kim said:
For us, it’s a matter of focusing on ‘when’, because if we chased after a mobile or hand-held opportunity, we would not have the resources and ability to do things like Project Natal.
So we’ve chosen to focus on the living room experience from a hardware standpoint, if you will, but we’re building a service in Xbox Live that will extend to other platforms, no question about it.
How do we enter into that market? Do we do our own device, do we create our own phone? [Or] do we continue to go down the Windows Mobile path, which is that path that we’re on today. But believe me, we understand the importance of that device in people’s lives.
That seems fairly clear. Microsoft wants to produce a portable Xbox and knows consumers would like a portable Xbox but it’s put the idea on hold in order to focus on the living room first. When (rather than if, obviously) an Xbox handheld does come about, it’ll likely be based around Xbox Live, with games to be downloaded just like on the PSP Go.
Even in the crowded handheld market, with the iPhone looking set to increase its gaming features in future iterations, I can still see there being space for a portable Xbox. All those millions of Xbox fans out there are sure to pick one up over a DS or a PSP, and that thought alone could be enough for Microsoft to start work on the device forthwith.
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67 Responses to “Microsoft: Xbox portable on way – Xbox mobile gaming coming”
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July 21st, 2009
it would appeal to me, but i wouldn’t pick one up until prob 12 months or so after launch, i’m sorry i just don’t trust MS hardware anymore…
July 21st, 2009
Even the Zune was not without its serious flaws. They just can’t get anything right!
July 21st, 2009
Handheld gaming does not interest me.
“Even the Zune was not without its serious flaws. They just can’t get anything right!” –> Outselling the PS3 in every region except Japan is an indication that they must be doing some things right.
July 21st, 2009
^
Them is fighting words harry! Oh well phranctoast asked for it and you gave it to him! lol. However I will be cautious should this hardware enter the market and it interests me. Like bigmickyd said, will wait to see how the hardware holds up.
July 21st, 2009
The DS is the only handheld that interests me and I’ve no doubt it will be the king of handhelds for many years to come
July 21st, 2009
Personally I think it would be a waste of time and money. Instead they should focus on maximising the home console’s compatability with all portable platforms, and introduce software on those. The hardware element is never the real money maker, the profits come from the software and licensing side of things.
July 21st, 2009
I got the impression he was talking about Live Anywhere rather than a handeld.
I don’t think it would be a waste of time, after all it’s obvious that their stratagy would be to just get all PSP games ported to the new handheld….and actually, if there was a battle for exclusive games between a PSP and Xbox handheld, it would probably help raise the profile of both the devices and the games.
July 21st, 2009
I think MS should make a handheld with a live service and use the 3G network to play online anywhere you want. I wouldn’t get anything done at work.
I would buy one, but like bigmick it would be 12 months after launch.
July 21st, 2009
Harry:
“Outselling the PS3 in every region except Japan is an indication that they must be doing some things right.”
yeah like releasing the console a year earlier, that explain the 7 million units difference
July 21st, 2009
Sales don’t matter. The Zune is a piece of junk.
July 21st, 2009
i will definitely get a M$ portable as long as I dont have to pay for Live. but then again by the time Xbox portable comes out, the PSP2 is going right around the corner.
July 21st, 2009
The Best-Selling Console Games For First Half Of 2009:
PS3
1. Killzone 2
2. Resident Evil 5
3. Street Fighter IV
4. UFC Unleashed
5. MLB ‘09: The Show
Xbox 360
1. Resident Evil 5
2. UFC Undisputed
3. Call of Duty: World at War
4. Halo Wars
5. Street Fighter IV
Wii
1. Wii Fit
2. Wii Play
3. Mario Kart Wii
4. EA Sports Active Bundle
5. Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga
ok guys, seriously Wii Fit and Wii play ? EA active? I wouldnt want to play any of the wii games besides mario kart and I wouldnt even bother buying it. My wii is just for Virtual Console games.
July 21st, 2009
Zune HD looks good, but the screen images look hideous.
“the PSP2 is going right around the corner”
So what? MS aren’t going to build a portable device on PSP specs are they? Xbox hardware has always been pretty powerful, if unreliable, and I would expect MS to have hardware that is in the same ball park as a PSP2.
And it makes sense for MS to shadow Sony, as they can get all the old PSP games ported to their handheld, and have the new PSP2 games also come to their system.
I like the rumour of the PSP2 being as powerful as the original Xbox…it would give more scope for Sony to get PS2 games up on PSN to play and swap between PS3 and PSP2.
PS1 games on PSP is a truly great, and PS2 games on a PSP2 would be equally great.
July 21st, 2009
There are games from PS2 that came out for PSP, are they not?
I don´t think MS will enter the handheld market just yet. Perhaps they will focus on that after completing Natal.
July 21st, 2009
“PS1 games on PSP is a truly great, and PS2 games on a PSP2 would be equally great.”
has anyone else heard that the PSN started releasing games from OLD console (NES, ATARI, GENESIS) and PC engine games in JAPAN for PSP/PS3.
July 21st, 2009
I heard about PC engine games (TurboGrafix to us) but not the rest. the US store needs better attention with old school games.
July 21st, 2009
Megaman 1 , Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II (the originals) are in the Japanese PS store.
July 21st, 2009
I think it will be best to go the Windows Mobile way because just like that you have Millions of devices already in people’s hands that are compatible with the 360. All Microsoft will have to do is provide the store. I also bet that Zune HD will have gaming features as well. They did mention that more would be mentioned at E3 after they dropped the news about the Zune HD just prior to E3 but nothing ever materailized from E3 about Zune’s gaming capibilities. I guess well have to wait and see.
Lock_down
you said “Zune HD looks good, but the screen images look hideous.”
How would you know? The product is not even on the market yet.
July 21st, 2009
engadget.com/2009/07/11/image-of-zune-hds-marketplace-surfaces-leaves-much-to-the-imag/
July 21st, 2009
Well I still don’t see what your talking about nor does the article even suggest what you are implying.
July 21st, 2009
why are even talking about it.
Apple is the King of that market.
July 21st, 2009
This will be an epic fail.
July 21st, 2009
Just like Sony was the king of the games console market Ivan
July 21st, 2009
sure CON/Kev.
Thanks for admitting it. too bad M$ never will never get there. 360 was their best and only chance
July 21st, 2009
Not that bothered if they do or not. I’m in it for the games. I was a massive ps2 fan and a N64 man before that. If ms doesn’t come up with the goods next gen I’ll be the first to say so.
July 21st, 2009
now ur making some sense…which made me wonder why all the hate towards the PS3 if ur all about the games?
July 21st, 2009
Man I miss the N64
Mario 64, GoldenEye, the first time I played thru OoT… *sniffle*
July 21st, 2009
…and those were really the only decent games on the system.
-Arvis
July 21st, 2009
Aww you’re so mean to Nintendo
July 21st, 2009
If it has any like PSP i will buy it hope it will be reliable. I really want a Microsoft handheld gaming console next to my shiny PSP’s. This might actually help them a lot more then Xbox.
July 21st, 2009
Perfect Dark multiplayer back in the days of 4 players and 1 screen
July 21st, 2009
Mario Kart was a great N64 game too.
I went from N64 to PS2 to 360 too. Oh my god I’ve got something in common with CON, besides being a mindless XBot that is
July 22nd, 2009
“…and those were really the only decent games on the system.
-Arvis”
@Arvis
Mario64, Goldeneye and Zelda OoT decent? Are you kidding me? Those games were EPIC! Those games brought more wow factor and fun then pretty anything since then in my opinion. Those games pretty much carved the foundation for alot of the games we play today! Also to say that those were the only good games on that system, makes me wonder how old you are and if you were old enough to appreciate them. Some of the most fun I have had with video games was with the N64. You kids these days! lol
July 22nd, 2009
Knighthawk:
“Some of the most fun I have had with video games was with the N64″
I agree, the N64 was the best Party console ever. I have never had some much fun as I did back when the N64 was out. I used to play Golden Eye, Mario Kart 64, Mario Party, Perfect Dark, WWF vs NWO: No Mercy, Killer Instincts ALL DAY LONG with a bunch of friends.
But the most Epic gaming memories comes from PS1 games.
July 22nd, 2009
Well I at least hope people have learned not to buy M$ hardware as soon as it’s released. Wait a few years until they have all of the massive failure rates in check first.
July 22nd, 2009
even M$ softwares. as vista is sitll trying to come into its own
July 22nd, 2009
Vista is fine now, since SP1 actually. Just don’t try run it on a 5 year old computer. Turn down the blind h8.~
July 22nd, 2009
From the way pre-orders for Windows 7 have gone it seems like you’re whistling in the dark again Roca, no-one’s listening.
I got my self the new and full (retail not OEM) OS for £45 ($74 US/$91 AUS).
Bargain.
Even if it takes until SP1 to get fully sorted (which, as JofaMang rightly says is the case with Vista) who cares, I can wait.
July 22nd, 2009
BTW it’s unlikey Windows 7 will need time to come right if the feedback from the many happy users of the RC versions are anything to go by.
July 22nd, 2009
“Just don’t try run it on a 5 year old computer. Turn down the blind h8.~”
^^lol…..
Vista is fine compared to before. but they are still few minor bugs here and there.
HAPPY u really suck on EVERYTING that M$ does…everybody knows that there are better OS’s than windows out there.
July 22nd, 2009
Knighthawk and SW:
So true. That was the generation I felt more impressed with. Nintendo did great 1st party games as always but there was Rare too, making waves with almost each game they released.
What happened with them? I though we would have an updated Perfect Dark and Killer Instinct on the 360 by now.
July 22nd, 2009
Didn’t they make a banjo kazooie game? Nuts and bolts, or something… And perfect dark was updated wasn’t it… I seem to remember playing it on a buddies 360 a loooooooooooooooooong time ago.
July 22nd, 2009
Actually, Knighthawk, I’m probably older than you! *laughs*
Anyways, everyone is right, the N64 was a great multiplayer game system. But I’ve always been a single-player gamer. So, even though I enjoyed those THQ/AKI wrestling games, and Perfect Dark, and Mario Kart/Party, there just weren’t any really great single player experiences. Ocarina and Majora just never grabbed me, then or now. Ever since Zelda went 3d, the series just lost some magic for me.
-Arvis
July 22nd, 2009
Roca
I have an Xbox, a PC currently running XP SP3 and I’m buying (at an amazing bargain price) Windows 7.
Now, you and anyone else can whitter on about Xbox all you like but liking one gaming product is hardly “suck on EVERYTING that M$ does”.
Similarly I want an OS with maximum ease and compatibility.
Sorry if it sours your mood but for the minimum fuss that still means a Windows product.
Not only that but (as you prefered not to mention) the reports back from the beta and RC test guys is that Windows 7 is an excellent OS (many just coming outright with it & saying it’s what Vista ought to have been).
If I really did “suck on EVERYTING that M$ does” why’d I give Vista a miss?
(even though I still have my upgrade disc, that this PC came with, still sealed in it’s wrapper)
You’ll have to try harder than that.
(and btw, I’d steer clear of those “we all know…..” pronouncements if I were you, you’d shrivel up and die if you really knew what ‘we all know…..’ about you Roca/Ivan
(and my guess is you didn’t just stop there at 2 little sock puppets, did you?)
July 22nd, 2009
“Ocarina and Majora just never grabbed me, then or now.”
You sir, ARE A FREAK! lol
July 22nd, 2009
^
That was for Arvis just FYI
July 22nd, 2009
‘Ocarina and Majora just never grabbed me, then or now. Ever since Zelda went 3d, the series just lost some magic for me.’
You sir should be burned at the stake I tell you! BURNED!!!
But I agree it lost some ‘magic’ in the transition. Nothing beats Lttp for me. Sadly, I found twilight princess to be pandering to the masses who wanted ‘teh grown up zeldar!!!’ and they just recycled the same mechanics again (and again and again). At least with ocarina they were fresh mechanics.
July 22nd, 2009
Yeah, yeah, I hear all about it from my roommate. But he’s never played a Final Fantasy game, so I think he’s worse.
As for Link to the Past, I think I could play and beat that game once a year and never get tired of it.
-Arvis
July 22nd, 2009
It’s good to look back now but at the time Nintendo really shat on their fanbase especially in europe where ocarina was delayed for over a year for no good reason! Perfect dark also required that expansion pack as i recall which wasn’t cheap unless you actually bought the cheap one like i did which would always freeze your game at the most pivital moment.
Also I loved the shape and feel of the controller plus back then they knew how to make controllers rumble! The only problem was it wore away.
July 22nd, 2009
Man I loved the analogue stick on the N64, fucking awesome.
Also loved changing my controller casings around to have half yellow half green controllers and such
July 23rd, 2009
If nintento ever enter the hardcore market again with some of that spare change they have they should def bring that controller back, all the need to fix is the analogue from wearing out.
July 23rd, 2009
yup and the “Z” button was perfectly placed
July 23rd, 2009
- The Perfect Dark game for Xbox360 was a remake or a new one? I´ll check that one.
- “The only problem was it wore away.”
I wished they had some metal base instead of plastic…
I still remember the dreadful day my analogue stick flew away from my controller while playing. Try to convince your parents you are not addicted to gaming after that.
July 23rd, 2009
What are you guys talking about?!
The stick was made from coke, you’re supposed to snort the dust!
July 24th, 2009
Well if you drink Red Bull and mix it with Stilnox it has a similar buzz to the nose candy.
July 24th, 2009
KH and Arvis,
You two are making me feel old! My first consol was the Atari 2600. ET was AWSOME! LOL
And some of my relatives had the intelevision. Ever heard of them?
July 24th, 2009
“KH and Arvis,
You two are making me feel old! My first consol was the Atari 2600. ET was AWSOME! LOL
And some of my relatives had the intelevision. Ever heard of them? ”
@ncaisse
Um, well seeing as I am 32 years old, yeah I have heard of them, played them and owned them. Hope you were joking about ET, because that game sucked bigtime! Even back then when I thought so many Atari games were awesome, that game was horrible! I had more fun smashing that game against the wall then playing it! lol, true story!
July 24th, 2009
anyone remember the superman game for the 2600? That was truly terrible.
July 24th, 2009
Ha ha.
Early Atari game consoles, very funny.
‘Flick tanks’ (not it’s real name but it’s like what they did when you hit one) was hilarious.
July 24th, 2009
Ok
I’m 35. I was partying and getting laid during the Game cube, N64 and PS1 and even Super Nintendo days.
I just got back into playing games with Xbox.
The last consol I played before Xbox was the NES.
July 24th, 2009
And yeah I was kidding about the ET game.
It was pretty stupid.
July 24th, 2009
which mean u missed all the Final Fantasy, God of War, Twisted Metal (ohh I love that game), Ocarina of Time, Ico, Super Smash Brother, Golden Eye, Super Mario World, Street Fighter..
just name a few. u have a lot to catch up to.
the games from today look pretty and stuff but those were the games that made regular ppl GAMERS.
but it is never too late to be a gamer. unless the wii is ur first console
July 24th, 2009
“unless the wii is ur first console”
wtf?
Did you read my posts? Gees.
My first one was the 2600. Now I have a Wii, PS3, xbox, DS, Ipod touch and a gaming PC.
July 24th, 2009
Commodore 64 ruled,
Raid over Moscow was the bizz.
July 25th, 2009
My favourite C64 games were Beach Head 2 and Sex Games 2.
July 25th, 2009
“Sex Games 2″, harry?
Damn!
My game stockist never had that kind of stuff, the naughtiest stuff I recall was a game of Monopoly you could (if you knew a little basic) go in and change the names to rude ones.
July 27th, 2009
C64 games were written in BASIC? Damn, I knew that language forwards and backwards… But that was many moons ago…
-Arvis