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[Hero of Spielberg]

Well said. To me, the best thing to come out of all this is a proper gaming mode for Windows. The next question is whether MS allows regular Windows gamers to utilize this at some point or will it remain tied to speciific hardware.

Would be great if it was made available to all Windows 11 users and you could decide what mode to boot into.

I'd love to build a new ITX build as a console replacement for my living room that could also play my Steam library, etc.

 

[Topher]

Would be great if it was made available to all Windows 11 users and you could decide what mode to boot into.

I'd love to build a new ITX build as a console replacement for my living room that could also play my Steam library, etc.

That would awesome, wouldn't it? PC in the living room might be something more than an afterthought for a lot of gamers.

 

[DiddyInAHellcat]

No

 

[ZehDon]

Well said. To me, the best thing to come out of all this is a proper gaming mode for Windows. The next question is whether MS allows regular Windows gamers to utilize this at some point or will it remain tied to speciific hardware.

I'd like to think PC enthusiasts wouldn't let it die on bespoke hardware even if Microsoft themselves aren't interested in supporting it. Hopefully Microsoft's greater talk of supporting games isn't just lip service as its been in the past.

 

[adamsapple]

Well said. To me, the best thing to come out of all this is a proper gaming mode for Windows. The next question is whether MS allows regular Windows gamers to utilize this at some point or will it remain tied to speciific hardware.

They've at least said that the improvements being made for the X-Ally will roll out to regular Ally and other Windows handheld devices next year. Ideally, this should be implemented into the greater windows OS as a whole too, or at least a new lite version of it.

The best part of all these Windows changes is that you won't necessarily need a new device to benefit from them. "The Xbox full-screen experience will first come to the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, and our next focus will be updating the in-market ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X," says Sones. "Similar full-screen Xbox experiences will be rolling out to other Windows handhelds, starting next year."

 

[Topher]

They've at least said that the improvements being made for the X-Ally will roll out to regular Ally and other Windows handheld devices next year. Ideally, this should be implemented into the greater windows OS as a whole too, or at least a new lite version of it.

Yeah, but concerning that they are only highlighting handhelds. Would be nice if they explicitly said everyone else will get this as well.

 

[Roni]

Yeah, but concerning that they are only highlighting handhelds. Would be nice if they explicitly said everyone else will get this as well.

Historically, unless something twists Microsoft's arm, they don't do it. They really like their telemetry and background processes... If SteamOS takes off on desktop, I'm sure it will come. Until then, I wouldn't count on it.

 

[evanft]

Windows PC runs software designed for Windows.

 

[GHG]

Well said. To me, the best thing to come out of all this is a proper gaming mode for Windows. The next question is whether MS allows regular Windows gamers to utilize this at some point or will it remain tied to speciific hardware.

Yep the only thing I personally care about is the OS side of things and how long it will be before we can install it on any PC to try it out.

As for the rest of what's going on... I feel sorry for the people, kind of.

 

[EDMIX]

I mean...all this is saying is that MS has a XB branded ASUS PC...

They cancelled their handheld to do this half measure tells me maybe they are done with hardware for real

Asus Rog Ally with Xbox branding.

Thread.

 

[Schmendrick]

the hardware is completely uninteresting. Putting an xbxox logo on an asus device doesn`t make it xbox hardware.
The only thing interesting about this is on the software side, namely the first visible strides to what could lead to a true gaming mode for Windows.

 

[crackajack]

I wonder since the Ally announcement if MS can put some form of this handheld gaming optimised Windows on the regular Xbox, run Steam etc and thus run also Sony games... their virtualised core might be able to load specific games in a Windows mode when that's the only one available version for a variety of games, so not only Sony stuff, but having all PC exclusives on there too. Even if just on some medium to low options tier, it is still adding a ton of games to the library. Also easy parity then for PC Gamepass and Xbox GP and no ones missing out anymore on this and that. This whole Play anywhere initiative sounds a lot like that should be a goal.

Better gaming support on any PC, with less fat, would also be nice. That Lenovo Steam OS comparison must have been a bit odd and alarming, being THE system those games are developed for and Linux only getting some proper focused support a few years now via Valve and losing, is just embarassing. There are office PCs, probably the majority of Windows PCs, that run fine on 10+ year old tech, soft- and hardware. Then there are relatively few proper workstations that need beefy hardware and possibly need all the bloat Windows comes with. And then there are a lot of gaming PCs that could benefit from a dumbed down, specialised Windows, with some shifted priotrities, something that should have been done in parallel with the whole Xbox brand since its inception.

 

[tronied]

I would love to see this running Xbox games running natively. The rumours about the emulation certainly sounds like they're trying but it's not been announced as a feature (yet). As we all know, emulation performance is very different to running it natively though. If the ROG Ally X is roughly on par with a Series S then that is one thing, but with the emulation overhead it may make it unworkable, which is why I imagine this has been shelved for now.

If they're going to use this new slimline Windows platform for the next Xbox "console", then that might open up new doors. Not just because of having access to all PC gaming libraries, but also playing existing Xbox games with the extra grunt available.

 

[kikii]

I would love to see this running Xbox games running natively. The rumours about the emulation certainly sounds like they're trying but it's not been announced as a feature (yet). As we all know, emulation performance is very different to running it natively though. If the ROG Ally X is roughly on par with a Series S then that is one thing, but with the emulation overhead it may make it unworkable, which is why I imagine this has been shelved for now.

If they're going to use this new slimline Windows platform for the next Xbox "console", then that might open up new doors. Not just because of having access to all PC gaming libraries, but also playing existing Xbox games with the extra grunt available.

it doesnt run Xbox games, its a PC like explained on title, its literally same if u slap Xbox sticker on Steamdeck, but since everything is an xbox it works for ppl like Punished Miku and vaibhavpisal and other folks

 

[Punished Miku]

it doesnt run Xbox games, its a PC like explained on title, its literally same if u slap Xbox sticker on Steamdeck, but since everything is an xbox it works for ppl like Punished Miku and vaibhavpisal and other folks

News  Post in thread 'ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Announced | Coming this holiday 2025'

Jun 8, 2025

They definitely haven't sold me on the handheld, especially at the rumored price. Still shows that Windows lite is real and it'll somewhat feel like an Xbox. Just waiting for the console version and hopefully much more forward compatibility news than just Play Anywhere, which is good but still has many holes in it.

• Punished Miku

 

[rodrigolfp]

it doesnt run Xbox games

It does with Xemu and Xenia.

 

[GHG]

It does with Xemu and Xenia.

This is a disingenuous response considering it doesn't provide a legal pathway for people to access their digital libraries for legacy titles (Xbox originals and 360 games).

And then for more modern titles (Xbox one and series titles) that are not Xbox play anywhere there's no solution at all since those can't be emulated, which leaves people with no option but to repurchase everything.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

Obviously. It's a handheld PC and not an Xbox console. Microsoft seriously need to get their shit in order when it comes to marketing hardware, the average Joe is likely to be really confused when buying any kind of Xbox hardware moving forward.

 

[tronied]

it doesnt run Xbox games, its a PC like explained on title, its literally same if u slap Xbox sticker on Steamdeck, but since everything is an xbox it works for ppl like Punished Miku and vaibhavpisal and other folks

I know, but that's why the rest of my post was about official emulation and potentially long term that could be an option. Certainly not on this handheld hardware, but maybe for their next "console". I give that in quotes as I realise it is effectively just a PC

 

[vaibhavpisal]

it doesnt run Xbox games, its a PC like explained on title, its literally same if u slap Xbox sticker on Steamdeck, but since everything is an xbox it works for ppl like Punished Miku and vaibhavpisal and other folks

Wut?

First of all, its a pc so thats a good, not limited in any way.

I was pointing out it plays Playstation titles. Eventually MS will figure out how to play xbox games on it as well, am pretty sure.

 

[reinking]

Wut?

First of all, its a pc so thats a good, not limited in any way.

I was pointing out it plays Playstation titles. Eventually MS will figure out how to play xbox games on it as well, am pretty sure.

The way you state that is it makes it sound like it plays PlayStation games and not Xbox games. People need to stop with the "it plays PlayStation games" like it is some kind of gotcha. It plays PC games regardless of the publisher. That's it. Period.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

The way you state that is it makes it sound like it plays PlayStation games and not Xbox games. People need to stop with the "it plays PlayStation games" like it is some kind of gotcha. It plays PC games regardless of the publisher. That's it. Period.

Depends on your perspective I guess.

Xbox branded system playing Playstation games…. Thats a first I have seen.

 

[rodrigolfp]

This is a disingenuous response considering it doesn't provide a legal pathway for people to access their digital libraries for legacy titles (Xbox originals and 360 games).

This is a factual response. If you can't play your digital library legally it is another matter.

 

[GHG]

This is a factual response. If you can't play your digital library it is another matter.

Hardly, considering we've been able to emulate select Xbox 360 games to a decent standard for a while on PC now.
Even then, the list isn't hugely extensive:

Xenia Canary on SteamOS compatibility

docs.google.com

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/19wHZmKcs_Mdibj8CM_M4tMB9bSidx6Se3tCLTPobuk4/htmlview

Lists above are for SteamOS and when it was available on Series consoles but it's pretty similar on windows machines as well.

 

[Astray]

People suggesting emulation en masse as an option for normies will never cease to amuse me.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Hardly, considering we've been able to emulate select Xbox 360 games to a decent standard for a while on PC now.
Even then, the list isn't hugely extensive:

Xenia Canary on SteamOS compatibility

docs.google.com

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/19wHZmKcs_Mdibj8CM_M4tMB9bSidx6Se3tCLTPobuk4/htmlview

Lists above are for SteamOS and when it was available on Series consoles but it's pretty similar on windows machines as well.

Hardly you still can.

 

[GHG]

Hardly you still can.

How many games are being shown there?

Thanks for reinforcing my point.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Sounds like it has potential, and something I'd be much more open to than just a PC platform handheld. This thing can play PS titles, your Xbox library and Game Pass games. If the battery life is at least five hours then let's a go! Switch 2 and ROG Xbox Ally will be the complete handheld team.

 

[reinking]

Depends on your perspective I guess.

Xbox branded system playing Playstation games…. Thats a first I have seen.

I guess having Xbox branding on the device makes it unique but even in the message I quoted you differentiated between PlayStation games (it plays them) and Xbox games (it will eventually play them). People are really trying to twist this into something bigger than it is. By your own statement, it is a PC. It plays PC games. Not really arguing with you. It is just weird that people are running with this and blowing it out of proportion. We already have evil Sony is going to block the Xbox API posts. LOL.

 

[rodrigolfp]

How many games are being shown there?

Thanks for reinforcing my point.

More than anyone will play.

 

[Three]

something I'd be much more open to than just a PC platform handheld. This thing can play PS titles, your Xbox library and Game Pass games.

No, just no. Stop with this PR bullshit. Can it play astrobot? no, can it play your actual xbox library you might have acquired over the years? No. It can play PC games. Why try to complicate the description of a simple device?

It's funny that people are bringing up xenia emulation too. Might as well include Nintendo now too? The lengths people will go to to try and oversell this PC handheld which is no different to a steamdeck when it comes to these things.

 

[Mr Moose]

Depends on your perspective I guess.

Xbox branded system playing Playstation games…. Thats a first I have seen.

Plug a Xbox branded HDD into your PC and install PlayStation games from Steam on it.

 

[rodrigolfp]

No, just no. Stop with this PR bullshit. Can it play astrobot? no, can it play your actual xbox library you might have acquired over the years? No. It can play PC games. Why try to complicate the description of a simple device?

It's funny that people are bringing up xenia emulation too. Might as well include Nintendo now too? The lengths people will go to to try and oversell this PC handheld which is no different to a steamdeck when it comes to these things.

Still can play more PS titles than every PS, almost all Nintendo games, Sega games etc etc... but can't play your Xbox library.

 

[GHG]

It's funny that people are bringing up xenia emulation too. Might as well include Nintendo now too? The lengths people will go to to try and oversell this PC handheld which is no different to a steamdeck when it comes to these things.

Or any of the other windows handhelds (including the very same model from Asus themselves) that have been on the market for the last 4-5 years now.

Called this nonsense last year:

Post in thread 'Phil Spencer: announcement this week'

Feb 7, 2024

Imagine a "Xbox" with Gamepass and Steam, and Playstation Steam games and emulators, and mods.

At this point I'm convinced some of you need a logo and a nutty cultish community surrounding it to make you feel good.

What you describe already exists. Wtf.

• GHG

• 
• 

 

[demigod]

No, just no. Stop with this PR bullshit. Can it play astrobot? no, can it play your actual xbox library you might have acquired over the years? No. It can play PC games. Why try to complicate the description of a simple device?

It's funny that people are bringing up xenia emulation too. Might as well include Nintendo now too? The lengths people will go to to try and oversell this PC handheld which is no different to a steamdeck when it comes to these things.

Green rat pretending he isnt one.

 

[Skifi28]

Depends on your bias I guess.

Fixed.

 

[GHG]

Depends on your perspective I guess.

Xbox branded system playing Playstation games…. Thats a first I have seen.

You can connect an official Xbox controller to a PC and play PlayStation games.

Does that excite you?

 

[rodrigolfp]

Xbox branded system playing Playstation games…. Thats a first I have seen.

Did you miss the Xbox Series running PS emulators??

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Fixed.

Not sure how bias comes into play.

For a while xbox was criticised for sharing its exclusives while not getting anything in return.

This device helps it catch up in that regard.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

You can connect an official Xbox controller to a PC and play PlayStation games.

Does that excite you?

Absolutely. Being able to use a decent controller is always a plus.

 

[GHG]

And I thought Little Chicken was the one with a bird brain...

 

[Punished Miku]

And I thought Little Chicken was the one with a bird brain...

I really don't know why you're going on this crusade to try and trash people. Everyone has known it was going to be a PC for over a year. Every time PS ports a game to PC, I was thinking that is a game I could potentially play in the future. I made a thread over a year ago asking for advice on pre-built PC options and decided to wait to see the MS version to compare cost. It'll be a PC either way, either a 3rd party one or a MS made one from the surface team. Over and over we've said that all that matters is the app; the windows lite software portion which will make any PC feel more like a console, and the forward compatibility efforts. No one is being cultish at all. People are weighing the options of moving to PC and using the MS big screen mode. Everyone's said this the whole time.

People are noting that they can take part of their Xbox library to PC now through Play Anywhere (hopefully more to come), load it into a big screen mode that looks like an Xbox UI, and also use the other stores that have games they previously couldn't play on Steam, Epic, GoG, including PS games. That's it. The only reason this thread exists is because every time this has come up for the last 16 months someone always chims in to say the PS won't ever allow that.

 

[Bry0]

Xbox is now just a marketing name for Microsoft licensed gaming stuff like Sidewinder was. Some of yall need to just get over it, jeez.

 

[Calverz]

Sony need to block this

 

[L11ghtman]

*Putting a green "X" on the back of my PSP using a paint marker*

"This badboy is an Xbox device... running PSP games???"

 

[L11ghtman]

Sony need to block this

Why would Sony block PC users from playing PC releases of their games

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Sony need to block this

Its a PC with an Xbox sticker, Sony's only chance to "block" this is to remove games from Steam

Sony is not concerned about this move at all imo

 

[Topher]

Why would Sony block PC users from playing PC releases of their games

They won't. It's a fabricated narrative by a select few.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Sony need to block this

Trolling 101.

 

[L11ghtman]

Its a PC with an Xbox sticker, Sony's only chance to "block" this is to remove games from Steam

Sony is not concerned about this move at all imo

Sony could release a PS6 Lite alongside the PS6 and sell a zillion units. They're definitely not concerned about Xbox doing a PC partnership deal with a PC company. Sony has bigger concerns which is figuring out how to launch a live service game that isn't a dumpster fire. Moving hardware isn't their issue.