Description: Microsoft’s VP of "Next Generation," Jason Ronald, has unveiled their plans to bring the "best of Xbox and Windows" to PCs and handheld devices. Read on to learn more about Microsoft’s vision for the future of gaming.
Bringing the Best Aspects of Xbox and Windows
Focusing on PC First, Then Handhelds
In January 8, The Verge reported that Microsoft’s VP of "Next Generation," Jason Ronald, wanted to bring "the best of Xbox and Windows together" to PC and handhelds at CES 2025.
Included as a roundtable panelist for AMD and Lenovo’s event called "The Future of Gaming Handhelds," Ronald hinted that Microsoft is planning to bring the Xbox experience to PC. After the event, The Verge met Ronald and asked about his early statement.
"We’ve been really innovating for a long time in the console space, and as we partner across the industry it’s really about how do we bring those innovations that we’ve incubated and developed in the console space and bring them to PC and bring them to the handheld gaming space," Ronald shared.
Though the Xbox handheld is still in development, Ronald assures that changes will happen in 2025. "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," Ronald said.
With Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck dominating the handheld scene, Ronald admits that Windows has issues with the handheld experience. They are focusing on adding the console experience to Windows by putting the "player and their library at the center of the experience."
Right now, Windows needs to be more controller-friendly and add more support to other devices aside from a keyboard and mouse. Despite these issues, Ronald believes that Microsoft can deliver. "The reality is the Xbox operating system is built on top of Windows. So there’s a lot of infrastructure that we built in the console space that we can bring to the PC space and really deliver that premium gaming experience on any device."
When asked for more details about their plans, Ronald teased, "I think it’s going to be a journey, and I think you’ll see a lot of investments over time that you’re starting to see already, but we’ll have a lot more to share later this year." Finally, Ronald focused on the goal of integrating the Xbox experience into PCs and "not the Windows desktop that you have today."
Though not much has been revealed about Xbox’s handheld device, it seems that Microsoft is working on integrating Xbox’s and Windows’ most beloved features to significantly enhance the gaming experience.
Handhelds Showcased at CES 2025
Though Microsoft is changing its strategy for PCs and handhelds this year and beyond, other electronics and gaming companies are making significant strides with their handheld devices.
For instance, Lenovo recently announced the SteamOS-powered Lenovo Legion GO S, marking it as the first of its kind. SteamOS is currently used for the Steam Deck, but Lenovo’s announcement raises the possibility of this operating system being adapted for other handheld devices.
Meanwhile, a replica of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been making rounds, showcased to a select few by Genki, an accessory maker. While Nintendo has yet to release more details about its upcoming console, an official announcement is imminent as the company approaches the end of its fiscal year, as promised by president Furukawa.
With new handheld devices entering the market, Microsoft may need to ramp up its efforts to avoid being outpaced by its competitors.
Sources:
Microsoft is combining ‘the best of Xbox and Windows together’ for handhelds
Lenovo Legion Unleashes Next-Gen Gaming Power at CES 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 to be previewed at CES 2025
