Microsoft’s partnership with Asus has gamers eagerly waiting for the ROG Xbox Ally and its sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X. However, with Microsoft’s own plans for a first-party handheld Xbox seemingly delayed, the focus has shifted to Asus’ role in filling that gap. According to Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, the company is fully invested in its collaboration with Asus. 
While Microsoft had teased the idea of a portable Xbox in the past, it’s now focusing on growing the handheld gaming category through this partnership.
Earlier this year, reports suggested that Microsoft’s internal project for a portable Xbox had been sidelined temporarily, as the company concentrated on the ROG Xbox Ally line. But even though no direct announcements have been made about Microsoft’s own handheld device, the company’s partnership with Asus signals a growing presence in the portable gaming market. The newly introduced Handheld Compatibility Program further supports this, allowing developers to verify their games’ compatibility with various devices like the ROG Xbox Ally X. This program will eventually extend to other Windows-based handhelds, though Microsoft remains mum on future device specifics.
While details about the pricing of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X remain unclear due to ‘macro-economic factors,’ Ronald’s enthusiasm about the project is evident. Despite the uncertainties, he is optimistic about the future, expressing excitement for what lies ahead in the portable gaming market. The question still looms: will Microsoft eventually revive its own handheld plans, or is the partnership with Asus the future of Xbox’s portable gaming ambitions? Only time will tell.
5 comments
Is there even a point in buying an Xbox Series X or S now? I’ve got a PS5 and am planning to get a Switch 2 when more games come out
This whole thing reminds me of the early days of online gaming when dial-up was somehow better than DSL. Streaming will eventually take over, it’s just a matter of time
To all those who trashed the PS Portal, what do you think about this? It’s probably four times the cost and does the same thing for Xbox
An Xbox handheld should be able to play native Xbox games, not just stream them. I’m out if they don’t add that feature
I wonder if this thing will even suspend games properly like the Steam Deck? I don’t think they mentioned that