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Microsoft Doesn't Have Plans For a Dedicated Handheld Gaming Device

Posted by Soulskill on from the mobile-kinect-will-never-be-a-thing dept.

DroidJason1 writes: "Rumors have persisted for a while now that Microsoft is working on a dedicated handheld gaming device to go against the Sony PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS. The head of Xbox has now responded to a question about it from an eager gamer on Twitter who asked whether there were any plans for a 'handheld Xbox-One-like gaming device.' The answer is no. Microsoft is focused on Windows Phone, tablets, and perhaps both with controller support someday."

10 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. I thought that was called a Windows Phone? by mmell · · Score: 2

    Plenty of room for handheld gaming devices - iOS, Android and MS should all get as much of this clearly lucrative market niche as they can - my guess is that there are a lot of cell phone users out there who consider music, video and games to be primary functions of their handheld communication devices. I'll bet a lot of them even consider telephone connectivity to be secondary to network connectivity on those devices.

  2. Re:Microsoft is dead by Darinbob · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's actually refreshing to see Microsoft decide to not pursue a product line that they have no experience with for a market segment where they're a late comer.
    Is this due to new management?

  3. Re:It happens sort of automatically at some point. by Billly+Gates · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Windows 9 is the answer. They had a peak of a unified platform but it was not finished at BUILD last month. MS made a mistake and should have made Windows 8 apps work across all.

    I think next year we will find out but it maybe too late ... like freaking 7 years late after ANDROID and IOS where METRO is the new OS/2. They became the old IBM for being behind the times and not quick and nimble like Apple and Google.

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    http://saveie6.com/
  4. Good... by MasseKid · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Good, the hand held gaming console is dead...

    1. Re:Good... by vux984 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Good, the hand held gaming console is dead...

      Oh i dunno... there is still a niche for 6 to 12 year old kids before they merit getting a phone. Right now tablets are eating heavily into that niche... but the right device could still find a home.

      A handheld gaming tablet from nintendo... ipad form factor + some physical controls + a cart slot ? I don't know N would need to allow it to load and play android games or soemthing though to really hit a home run... and that's not really in their corporate culture. But for them to hold off the tablets they need to let go of their iron fist over the store; and the high prices.

      People will still drop $40 bucks for a new Pokemon title; and add the Play store to the 3DS XL and my kids wouldn't even care about ipads.

    2. Re:Good... by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Not dead insomuch as replaced by Android and iPhone.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    3. Re:Good... by Scarletdown · · Score: 2

      Good, the hand held gaming console is dead...

      If that is the case, then why praytell have used Game Boy systems (from the Pocket to the Advance SP) been consistent sellers for me on Amazon the past few months, with prices ranging anywhere from $24.95 for a clear Game Boy Pocket to $64.95 for an Onyx Black Game Boy Advance SP?

      In fact, the only handheld I have left in my Amazon store is a black DS Lite.

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      This space unintentionally left blank.
  5. Xbox 360 controllers are bulky by tepples · · Score: 2

    It's a lot easier to carry a Nintendo 3DS than to carry a Windows tablet and a bulky Xbox 360 controller, which is the only kind of controller that works with Windows Store apps. (Windows Store apps cannot use standard USB HID controllers; it can use only XInput controllers licensed by Microsoft.)

  6. Re:The handheld gaming device market is DEAD by exomondo · · Score: 2

    For example, good luck doing Mega Man or Castlevania on a touch screen. So is there now no market for games in these genres?

    Not on a smartphone no. It's a niche market on handheld devices and doable (but not that popular these days) on PCs and consoles.

  7. Re:The handheld gaming device market is DEAD by exomondo · · Score: 2

    In other words, PC is the only platform for that genre unless you're a well-known company.

    No, if it fits into the indie requirements of the various console platforms then those are applicable platforms for the genre too.