Microsoft is alleged to be engaged on an Xbox-branded gaming handheld in collaboration with an OEM associate. A report earlier this week stated that an Xbox handheld, codenamed “Challenge Keenan”, would launch later in 2025. A brand new report, nevertheless, says that handheld just isn’t Xbox {hardware} and shall be a associate system manufactured by Asus. It is also reportedly known as “Challenge Kennan” — not “Keenan”. The brand new system reportedly represents Microsoft’s push to mix Windows and Xbox experiences for gaming and can possible function a revamped Home windows person interface nearer to the one current on Xbox consoles.
Asus Making Xbox-Branded Handheld
The knowledge comes from The Verge’s Tom Warren, who stated in a brand new report printed Wednesday that Microsoft’s plans for its gaming division for 2025 and past have been focussed on combining Home windows and Xbox experiences. Citing sources acquainted with the matter, the report claimed that the hand held system deliberate for later this 12 months can be a part of the corporate’s bigger push to convey collectively Home windows and Xbox for a unversal library of PC and console video games.
The handheld is reportedly being manufactured by Asus, the Taiwanese PC maker that has its personal line of Home windows-based gaming handhelds, the Asus ROG Ally. The system is internally often known as “Challenge Kennan” and never “Challenge Keenan” because the Home windows Central report had claimed earlier this week.
The Xbox-branded Asus handheld will possible launch later this 12 months, the report stated. It’ll run on Home windows however will include a modified interface that appears rather a lot like what yow will discover on an Xbox console. The platform to unify Xbox and Home windows experiences is reportedly codenamed Challenge Bayside, which can primarily convey Xbox interface to Home windows-based gadgets.
The concept, in accordance with the report, is to get Xbox video games engaged on different gadgets and providing a single PC and Xbox video games storefront and library that may work for number of gadgets — Xbox consoles, Home windows PC and handhelds.
The Asus ROG Ally X seen at Computex 2024
Challenge Kennan Particulars
Home windows Central corroborated The Verge’s new report, claiming that the associate handheld was certainly being manufactured by Asus and was codenamed “Challenge Kennan”. In response to the publication, the system will really feel rather a lot just like the ROG Ally however with design conventions of an Xbox system, with “extra outstanding grips and a devoted Xbox guide-style button”.
Because the system shall be Home windows-based, gamers will be capable of run different sport strorefronts and launchers like Steam, Epic Video games Retailer, GOG, the EA app, Ubisoft Plus and others, the report stated. Moreover, the bottom mannequin Xbox-branded Asus handheld might be priced between $499 and $599 (roughly between Rs. 43,400 and Rs. 52,000) and will are available two completely different SKUs. Lastly, the system might be revealed this summer season earlier than it is launched later this 12 months, the report stated.
Neither Microsoft nor Asus have introduced their plans for an Xbox-branded gaming handheld but. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, nevertheless, has expressed curiosity in an Xbox handheld and has stated the expectation was for the corporate to convey its personal handheld system to market.
In an interview with Bloomberg in November 2024, the Xbox chief had stated the corporate was engaged on prototypes for a tool in that type issue. Spencer stated he had requested his group to develop its imaginative and prescient for the system based mostly on its learnings from the market. Nevertheless, he believed an Xbox handheld was a “few years out”.
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