The future of Xbox gaming is evolving as Jason Ronald, Xbox Program Management Director, discussed unifying Xbox and Windows PC gaming. Speaking at CES 2025 during AMD and Lenovo’s event, The Future of Gaming Handhelds, Ronald outlined plans to transform handheld gaming. The long-awaited Xbox handheld device may still be years away. However, integrating Xbox and Windows experiences marks a significant strategic shift. This integration could redefine how players engage with gaming across devices.
Xbox’s Unified Experience on Windows PCs
Ronald stated that Microsoft’s focus lies in creating a seamless gaming experience by blending Xbox and Windows platforms. This would allow gamers to access Xbox and Windows PC games in one place, delivering a more unified and console-like experience. The Verge’s coverage of this event (highlights Ronald’s commitment to improving the user interface on PC handhelds, which currently lack intuitive design.
Steam, with its SteamOS-powered devices, leads handheld gaming with a refined user interface. Xbox plans to compete by bringing innovations from its console ecosystem to Windows handhelds, focusing on simplicity and ease of use.
The Future of Handheld Xbox Gaming
Xbox has no immediate plans to release its own handheld device. However, Ronald hinted at a faster rollout of Xbox features on third-party handhelds. The focus is on integrating Xbox into Windows handhelds for seamless access to Xbox libraries and Game Pass. This approach bridges the gap between traditional consoles and PC gaming devices. Microsoft’s goal is to simplify access and enhance the user experience. By leveraging Xbox operating system innovations, they aim to make handheld gaming more accessible and appealing.
“We’ve been innovating for a long time in the console space,” Ronald said. “Now, it’s about bringing those innovations to PC and handheld gaming.”
Competing with Steam’s Ecosystem
Steam’s success with the Steam Deck and collaboration with Lenovo to license SteamOS has set a high bar for user experience in handheld gaming. Unsuprisingly, Xbox’s strategy goes beyond games. By integrating Windows functionality and supporting multiple launchers—like Steam and Epic Games Store—Xbox could provide a one-stop gaming ecosystem. This would allow access to Xbox libraries and PlayStation games available on Steam, creating a versatile gaming experience.
According to Ronald, “Our goal is to make Windows great for gaming on any device,” while emphasizing the importance of a console-like interface for handhelds. This shift includes hiding legacy Windows features and focusing on a streamlined gaming experience.
A Game-Changing Vision for Xbox and PC Gaming
Xbox’s plan to unify its ecosystem reflects a broader trend toward multiplatform accessibility. By enabling Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and other PC launchers to coexist on handheld devices, Microsoft aims to make Xbox the most versatile gaming platform. Also, this addresses Xbox’s challenge in regions like Japan, where hardware preferences favor PlayStation and Nintendo.
Ronald’s vision aims to expand Xbox’s reach and revolutionize how gamers interact with devices. Features like compact mode in Windows and Xbox app enhancements already hint at what’s next. For users, this could mean accessing Xbox games, Game Pass titles, Steam games, and PlayStation games—all within one interface.
As Ronald concluded, “Our goal is to put the Xbox experience at the center,” hinting at further announcements in 2025. This vision, combined with improvements to Windows for gaming, suggests a future where the Xbox experience thrives across all devices.
