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[bitbydeath]

Looks like this rumour hasn’t gone away.

We've even heard that Microsoft is exploring options around letting third-parties build Xbox-branded devices, something that could extend as far as letting them directly use the Xbox operating system.

These third-party Xbox devices could appeal to specific niches, providing a number of options with audiences or markets that Microsoft has previously struggled in. In this event, a hypothetical "Xbox" branded handheld from a developer like ASUS would actually be an Xbox, providing players access to the same library of games and the same services that they can use when playing on an Xbox Series X|S console.

Obviously, these yet-hypothetical third-party Xbox devices would carry a number of questions. What does the certification process look like? Is there a minimum spec requirement to ensure it can play all the same games? What does the price range look like?

Xbox has a new "VP of next-gen" and they'll be at CES alongside Lenovo ... but what could it mean for Xbox's future?

Lenovo's gaming handheld presentation is being held at CES 2025 on January 7, and Xbox's Jason Ronald will be in attendance.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[RCX]

The 3DO effect.

Itsaboldstrategycotton.gif

 

[ResilientBanana]

Gross.

 

[LectureMaster]

It's inevitable, right?

 

[R3TRO]

That discord never missed.

 

[SweetTooth]

MS is acting like Xbox is some valuable brand lol

 

[ReyBrujo]

The 3DO effect.

Itsaboldstrategycotton.gif

Collectors be anxious.

 

[Thief1987]

Who want to attach their name to a dying brand?

 

[Gaiff]

 

[noob smokes]

So xbox console is now 3rd party aswell as their games


Everything really is an xbox afterall

 

[Humdinger]

I don't see the point of this. Why would any company want to do it? Someone explain it to me.

 

[onQ123]

Say OEM! ( They changed my title to include PlayStation by the way)

I took this screenshot yesterday by the way ( kinda knew it was going to come in handy)

 

[Crayon]

Love to the xbros because you're playing games and having fun and I'm all about that no matter where you want to play.

But as someone with a hatred of ms, this slomo trainwreck makes me horny.

 

[yazenov]

Yeah no 3rd party would want to touch that dying hardware brand even with a 10 foot pole.

Its nice to want things. Reality is a different story.

 

[intbal]

I'll do it.
I'll just make it an hdmi cloud stick with bluetooth support for the controller.
Microsoft gives me the Xbox branding I can slap on the box.
Profit!

 

[AyraSutoraifu]

 

[GHG]

Yeah no 3rd party would want to touch that dying hardware brand even with a 10 foot pole.

Its nice to want things. Reality is a different story.

You'd be surprised.

They all partnered up without much resistance for the Windows Mixed Reality headsets, Microsoft already have the relationships necessary to make this happen.

 

[bitbydeath]

I don't see the point of this. Why would any company want to do it? Someone explain it to me.

There’s been other rumours that they won’t be sold in stores, so likely made when an order is received to reduce risk.

 

[yazenov]

You'd be surprised.

They all partnered up without much resistance for the Windows Mixed Reality headsets, Microsoft already have the relationships necessary to make this happen.

But Xbox has a history of failure associated with that brand. It's a different story. There is no future with that brand. They ain't playing ball with this brand as it's a known quantity.

 

[jm89]

Death knell.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Will they be putting out the same thing Valve did recently about the do's and don'ts of product labeling?

 

[Physiognomonics]

It's from Windows central guys. It's not a rumour. Consider this like official PR from MS.

But they really don't have any mid-gen console this time? Cerny is really XBox's nemesis since PS4.

 

[Kokoloko85]

I thought this was pretty obvious.
Theres gonna be plenty of these made, same for Steam/ both. Hybrid handhelds too

 

[bitbydeath]

It's from Windows central guys. It's not a rumour. Consider this like a official PR from MS.

But they really don't have any mid-gen console this time? Cerny is really XBox's nemesis since PS4.

And as R3TRO mentioned it was part of the infamous discord leak.

 

[Lions Gate]

Hey phil, just pull the plug. it's not funny anymore

 

[Bond007]

Sounds like the brand is gonna be so washed out its gonna end up being used in cheap low end products.
Im not even sure they know what vision they are going down.

Just go third party and call it a day. They have always power leveled their way through- even in defeat.

 

[adamsapple]

Say OEM! ( They changed my title to include PlayStation by the way)

I took this screenshot yesterday by the way ( kinda knew it was going to come in handy)

 

[jm89]

Say OEM! ( They changed my title to include PlayStation by the way)

I took this screenshot yesterday by the way ( kinda knew it was going to come in handy)

 

[Dick Jones]

All those third party manufacturers really want in on the free-falling Xbox console sales pie?

 

[onQ123]

You still want the smoke huh ? I gave you a warning a few weeks ago

 

[Clear]

The reason why this is a non-starter is pretty obvious;

Third-parties have no impetus to subsidize RRP on their hardware as they aren't profit sharing from the software/service ecosystem.

This means the hardware will be expensive, likely more expensive than a non-Xbox branded SKU of the same spec.

 

[begotten]

This is old news being regurgitated.

It won't be home consoles either it will be handheld devices, because who the fuck would do that just to sell 1M lifetime units in the US.

They're not "exploring" around "letting" third parties build these handhelds, they're literally courting at least ASUS and Logitech to do so.

 

[bitbydeath]

The reason why this is a non-starter is pretty obvious;

Third-parties have no impetus to subsidize RRP on their hardware as they aren't profit sharing from the software/service ecosystem.

This means the hardware will be expensive, likely more expensive than a non-Xbox branded SKU of the same spec.

I think it’s just a means for letting people play their existing library. Not sure why they can’t just build it directly into Windows though

 

[Kacho]

You still want the smoke huh ? I gave you a warning a few weeks ago

 

[Rush2112]

I don't see the point of this. Why would any company want to do it? Someone explain it to me.

“You give us X amount of dollars and we will let you put an XBOX sticker on your knock-offs.”

 

[bitbydeath]

This is old news being regurgitated.

It won't be home consoles either it will be handheld devices, because who the fuck would do that just to sell 1M lifetime units in the US.

They're not "exploring" around "letting" third parties build these handhelds, they're literally courting at least ASUS and Logitech to do so.

It is but then Phil recently said they were building their own console. Moral of the story, never believe Phil.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

They're not about the Box,

Spoiler

they're about the cocks

 

[mckmas8808]

Say OEM! ( They changed my title to include PlayStation by the way)

I took this screenshot yesterday by the way ( kinda knew it was going to come in handy)

How do you even remember making a thread 10 years ago!!!!???? LOL!

 

[Magic Carpet]

CES going to have to start counting the devices powered by Xbox and Powered by SteamOS.
Devices will have Xbox logo instead of Windows I assume.

 

[Burger King]

Last nail in the coffin

 

[Zacfoldor]

Get ready for your Acer prebuilt for $1,299.99.

I can see the headlines already, "Xbox has the best console hardware now, try the new Acer SKU." Acer and Xbox, Acer and Xbox. Xbox is an Acer. Xbox in the Acer.

I'm gonna wear that acer out. Get it ready Phillip. Play that existing library with the power of acer. Acer no limits. Acebox 360. Now with Steam.

Ekobo-kun = fucked. Dude you're getting a Dell.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Exploring

 

[Parazels]

We can see a competition between Steam Machines and Xboxes, if so.

 

[onQ123]

This is old news being regurgitated.

It won't be home consoles either it will be handheld devices, because who the fuck would do that just to sell 1M lifetime units in the US.

They're not "exploring" around "letting" third parties build these handhelds, they're literally courting at least ASUS and Logitech to do so.

It's going to be more than handhelds, it's going to be TV Devices all the way up to monsters in a box.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

all the way up to monsters in a box.

Just wait when the best place to play PS games will be on that “Xbox”

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

MS picking the new VP of next gen

 

[Zacfoldor]

We can see a competition between Steam Machines and Xboxes, if so.

Steam Machines will win that one.

 

[VAVA Mk2]

Maybe NZXT can rent us an Xbox for $300 a month

 

[reinking]

I am kinda of looking forward to it. I have wanted an Xbox branded PC for a while now. It will really depend on coolness factor of the designs and not being outrageously overpriced.

 

[adamsapple]

How do you even remember making a thread 10 years ago!!!!???? LOL