Microsoft has announced the ROG Xbox Ally, an Xbox handheld developed by Asus.
Announce during theXboxGames Showcase, the handheld can play games natively, and stream via the cloud.
The Xbox Ally X and a lower-spec Xbox Ally are set to release this holiday season,Microsoftsaid, but no pricing details have been shared.
The devices are able to run Windows games purchased via PC through Xbox, or from Battle.net, GoG,UbisoftConnect, andSteam.The Xbox Ally is designed to display games from all of those marketplaces, Microsoft toldGame File.
The specs for the two devices are:
Asus’ consumer vice president Shawn Yen told Game File that the Xbox Ally will offer a 720p gaming experience, while the Ally X will play games at 900p-1080p.
“Because these handhelds run Windows, you have access to games you can’t get elsewhere, so you can enjoy the full freedom and versatility ofPC gaming—download games from your favorite storefront, run apps like Discord, watch your favorite streamers on Twitch, and play with your favorite mods—all straight from the Xbox experience,” said Microsoft’sRoanne Sones.
“When you power on your Xbox Ally, you’ll boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, a new feature optimized specifically for handheld gaming. With new modifications that minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks, more system resources are dedicated specifically to gameplay.
“That means more memory, higher framerates, and a fully immersive experience for players—all made possible by the versatility and freedom of Windows.”
Players who purchase an Xbox Ally and are new to Game Pass will gain access to a free trial, Microsoft said, and it’s also planning to launch a partner program that help developer clearly showcase if their games have been optimized for handhelds.
Microsoft is also partnering withRobloxfor the launch of Xbox Ally. For the first time, Roblox will be playable natively and optimized for gaming handhelds, it said.
At launch, the Xbox Ally will be available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with availability to follow “for other markets where ROG Ally series products are sold today”.
The announcement followscomments from Microsoft’s VP of Next Generation, Jason Ronald, who said earlier this year that any future handheld device would combine “the best of Xbox and Windows.”
“I would say it’s bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but it’s really locked to the console,” Ronald toldThe Verge. “What we’re doing is we’re really focused on how do we bring those experiences for both players and developers to the broader Windows ecosystem.”
