Xboy: Ziff-Davis survey hints at Microsoft handheld
by Christopher Grant 
{ Feb 14th 2008 at 9:00PM }
[click for high-resolution]
A recent Ziff-Davis survey – distributed amongst subscribers to their 1UP, EGM, and Games for Windows Magazine brands – asked "If Microsoft came out with a portable gaming device (similar to PSP, Nintendo DS/Lite, etc.), how likely are you to purchase the device?" Answers are comprised of the typical survey stuff, Very Likely to Not at All Likely with a Don't Know thrown in for the more indecisive gamers out there.
While rumblings concerning the long-rumored Xboy have been plenty scarce of late, Shane Kim did address it during a Q&A at the D.I.C.E. seminar held earlier this month. As reported by Gamasutra, he said, "Never say never ... Launching a portable device is like launching a Zune, launching another Xbox 360... we have a ways to go [to compete effectively in the music space]... Zune is not just about the device, it's about the service as well."
Considering that he sure didn't seem eager to say "enn oh" the idea that Redmond is soliciting consumer interest in such a device is far from surprising. However, if they're still at the whole "Does anyone want this thing?" phase, it would be quite some time before any of us got our mitts on an honest-ta-gawd Xboy.
[Thanks, Matt & Jonas]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Huey2k2 @ Feb 14th 2008 9:08PM
If it offered a service where you could download original Xbox games and play them on the go, I would be all over it.
Noshino @ Feb 14th 2008 9:45PM
most likely suscription based, also, remember that the whole point of the Zune was to download music without the need of a PC? see how it went, so I don't think they ll allow that......its Microsoft after all...
There are many things that are going against them...
-Previous hardware problems with the 360
-Lack of "on-the-go" games for xbox
-Microsoft most likely going to also use XBL for it
but then again, Microsoft has the money to waste, and if history has taught us something is that there is always space in an industry for another competitor
Huey2k2 @ Feb 14th 2008 11:08PM
The whole point of the Zune wasn't to download music without a PC... It just allows you to wirelessly sync your Zune to your playlist updates.
I should know, I have a Black 80GB Zune 2 (Imported because you can't get them here yet).
And I also would love it if I could have my Live Arcade games that I download on my 360 transferrable onto a mobile platform, that would be hella sweet.
DWells55 @ Feb 14th 2008 11:14PM
Handheld Halo 2 with online multiplayer via wifi and I'm instantly sold.
Noshino @ Feb 15th 2008 2:19AM
Huey2k2
The whole point of the Zune was to do everything online, not only not having to use a PC anymore, but also being able to share music wirelessly with any of your friends...
Altho the latter one does work (with a workaround tho), the Zune was really a waste of potential and quite a letdown, and believe me, I know because I bought it based on hype...
"And I also would love it if I could have my Live Arcade games that I download on my 360 transferrable onto a mobile platform, that would be hella sweet"
That's the problem, Xbox's service is focused around XBL, so your arcade game, scores, and everything is kept online...to achieve that, you would need a constant internet connection, for which you would MOST LIKELY have to paid a fee for the carrier, otherwise, I don't think Microsoft will allow you to play your arcade games or anything else bought online, heck, they don't even allow it on the 360 itself...
But then again, Xbox owners are used to paying for online services....
Kanadwen @ Feb 14th 2008 9:22PM
Only if it superb online play, and a slick control design, like two control sticks...then I would get it!
Poisoned Al @ Feb 14th 2008 9:33PM
Hopefully this will also have a stupid name that's funny when turned upside down.
hehehe... "anus"
beckerist @ Feb 14th 2008 10:14PM
Even if that S were a Z that'd still be "znue"
Nice try though
(and yes, I did cock my head all the way around to figure that out)
Poisoned Al @ Feb 14th 2008 10:30PM
Have you even seen the logo?
Yourself @ Feb 14th 2008 10:39PM
You have to reflect it horizontally... I looked at it for 5 minutes getting nothing but snu6, then I just did a google search.
Microswirl @ Feb 14th 2008 11:22PM
That spells "aunz". Damn you, rotational symmetry! Must you ruin what would have otherwise been a humorous observation!
Huey2k2 @ Feb 14th 2008 11:28PM
Perhaps he is dyslexic?
Kenofthedead @ Feb 14th 2008 9:37PM
Based off the Zune, Windows Mobile, and other such things, I'm going to say no.
At least, not the first handheld console should they ever make one. Second or third, perhaps.
James @ Feb 14th 2008 10:12PM
Exactly. I don't want that horrific clunky UI and software anywhere near a machine that is meant to be slick and easily accessible.
My bet? MS and them SideKick creators are going into mobile phone gaming, more competition to Nokia and their N-Gage platform than against the DS and PSP.
In which they simply wouldn't stand a chance in sweet hell.
Huey2k2 @ Feb 14th 2008 11:30PM
Have you even ever used a Zune 2? The UI is far from clunky, I can't speak for first generation Zunes as I have never used one, but the second generation Zunes have a fantastic UI.
KingOfGods @ Feb 14th 2008 9:37PM
If it allows me to download my arcade games, movies, Og Xbox games I've already purchased and play online vs. 360 users, then hell yes a day 1 purchase
VampireHunter Z @ Feb 14th 2008 11:26PM
Yes!!! If it does this it will be a must have. Playing arcade games against 360 players on Live would be a dream come true.
They should just make it a phone so I could insert a SIM card. That way I could use my phone company's internet service and not pay extra.
Mr.ESC @ Feb 15th 2008 1:27AM
That would be great.I would love to play my arcade games on the go.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 15th 2008 9:06AM
Or, you know, it could be Wifi, and not have a separate internet everywhere service.
David @ Feb 14th 2008 9:39PM
I think they should simply focus on the xbox 360. They should understand that the DS is popular because of Nintendo games and casual games, while PSP is popular because of multimedia function and free games through simple hack.
Limezor @ Feb 14th 2008 9:40PM
I would, provided that it was really developer friendly (third party applications with no limits), had great (and I meant GREAT) online play and lastly didn't have any of the crappy mobile software that Microsoft has been making lately.
NvM @ Feb 14th 2008 9:43PM
I love my DS and I love my 360.
But this would be PSPx2 and be biggest fail ever.
Saria the Cat @ Feb 14th 2008 11:33PM
Exactly. I am confident that, as the 360 and PS3 constantly compete, the Xbox mobile will be attempting to follow in the footsteps of the PSP, which would be fail. The Nintendo DS is popular not due to a game library with cutting-edge graphics, tons of memory, or multimedia capabilities. It's popular because it does handheld gaming correctly: a focus on innovative, on-the-go gameplay, not console ports! I don't want some poor-yet-good-for-a-handheld 3D render of 360 games in place of actual quality gameplay.
Howard-the-Duck @ Feb 15th 2008 4:27PM
ZOMG no girls on the internet!!
Tuxy79 @ Feb 14th 2008 9:44PM
Likely or not, MS will get their ass handed to them. Stay away MS, friggen concentrate on the shoddy 360, and get in reliable.
embassy @ Feb 15th 2008 1:23AM
that's what people said about the XBOX brand.
seems to be turning out ok.
and peoele said the same thing about the zune.
seems to be doing better than most apple competitors.
i wouldnt put anything past MS.
Alexa Booth @ Feb 14th 2008 9:56PM
Well, I'd buy it, because it would be awesome. but it probably would be clunky, eat up batterys and not be that sexy looking. But if there are achievements it doesn't matter. I'm personally hoping for an optical implant.
Syb @ Feb 15th 2008 9:24AM
More importantly, what kind of warranty does it have? When it red rings, how long will it take for me to get back and when I get a different unit back, will I be able to re-download my content or am I screwed again like I am on the 360?
Please Microsoft, with Vista, Zune, Office 2007 (bloat version) vocal support of HD-DVD and the 360, you have enough bad press these days. Try to do something right for one before moving on to something new.
James @ Feb 14th 2008 10:08PM
I wouldn't buy it. PSP Slim and DS Lite are all I need. a 3rd handheld? Wtf.
ThornedVenom @ Feb 14th 2008 10:11PM
Wii60 owners are probably saying the same thing about the PS3.
Poisoned Al @ Feb 14th 2008 10:16PM
This is like, in the future, as in not now. If it ever appers it will be a next gen hand-held
James @ Feb 14th 2008 10:16PM
I'm PCWiiPSP (wait what) and I'm saying it to everything that isn't one of them 3.
Yes. That even means the DS for the time being. Donut hurt me.
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Feb 14th 2008 10:47PM
If you had a third arm would you buy one?
Alexa Booth @ Feb 15th 2008 2:20PM
Ah yes, guess it depends on the games that are being developed for it, I mean the DS and the PSP have very different games for them, I have both. Microsoft developing a handheld- honestly it's less ridiculous than apple reaching out to the gaming realm.
Einherjar Gabr @ Feb 14th 2008 10:09PM
Halo 0.5: Portable Combat Confirmed!
I doubt the battery of their handheld console would last even shorter than the psp...
ThornedVenom @ Feb 14th 2008 10:10PM
Depends entirely on the features and design philosophy.
Is it going for raw power and technological convergence, like the PSP? Or is it going to impulse a new standard through new hardware features like the DS?
I'd give them a chance, it's just that they're going to go directly head-to-head with those competitors, therefore it'd be nice if they could bring something new to the market.
But if they're bringing in Xbox Live with monthly payments, FUCK THAT SHIT (sorry guys, personal philosophy: some people want to pay that, some people don't).
James @ Feb 14th 2008 10:22PM
I don't think that would work on a handheld. I remember an age old article when the PSP was launched, said something about free online play and DLC being temporary. Handhelds are different. No muppet is going to pay to play online.
Oh and I'm a Steam-lover so yea I pretty much do laugh all over paying £40 a year to get a free service.
Noshino @ Feb 14th 2008 10:31PM
exactly the point ThornedVenom
I don't think they go along the path of the DS when it comes to new control implementation, Microsoft has been going for Sony for a while, so they will most likely go to battle the PSP...
thing is, PSP is a beast, it is full of different extra functionalities, and when used together with a PS3, its even more incredible...
*off the top of my head*
-GPS
-Music Player
-Video Player
-Remote Play (with few PS3 titles)
-TV Streaming
-Skype
-Web browser
And even more if you count in what people outside of Sony make available (FOR FREE)....
This time Sony did pack their machines with so much to not run into the same problem they had with the Xbox offering much more than the PS2....
Brello @ Feb 15th 2008 12:14AM
@Noshino
There's room for improvement in a lot of those features. Would I buy a third handheld? I don't know, maybe. It depends what sets it apart from the existing two.
eldee @ Feb 14th 2008 10:17PM
if by 'recent survey' you mean 'survey from several months ago'
Hoffer @ Feb 14th 2008 10:25PM
I love my Xbox 360. I'd buy an Xboy for sure.
MariosInferno @ Feb 15th 2008 8:29AM
LOL.
If that thing was ever called Xboy, I would hope Reggie bends over J Allard and f**ks him with a Wiimote.
erico316 @ Feb 14th 2008 10:27PM
wtf is mircosoft thinking we dont need them to mess up another gaming area!First of all we already have two portables targeted at each class of gamers i dont want a 3rd device and not one from mircosoft.If i was to ever conder a 3rd portabe gaming platform is had to be from apple the least.The one thing is i dont want to see psp or ds games goes mult this would weaken how good the game will be.
Poisoned Al @ Feb 14th 2008 10:35PM
The only ones "messing up" gaming are Sony with their horribly designed blu-ray player, or the likes of Activision or EA with their incessant sequels. Everyone else is doing just dandy.
MariosInferno @ Feb 15th 2008 8:39AM
"wtf is mircosoft thinking we dont need them to mess up another gaming area!"
Please...elaborate.
Geist @ Feb 14th 2008 10:41PM
Oh good, more hardware from Microsoft. This should go just as well as the PSP, only worse.
erico316 @ Feb 14th 2008 10:43PM
Poisoned Al sony had not mess up the gaming area mircosoft had think about what u saying for a sec.Sony Blu-ray format anyone with a brain knew was going to win come on it had more studio supoort.now on gaming part the psp is a great system and so is the ps3.Also i like to thanks mircosoft for the new window that was support to bring back gaming thank u so much for ur help mircosoft u help killed the pc gaming area.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Feb 14th 2008 11:41PM
....
I have absolutely no idea what you just said.
Bluebrake @ Feb 14th 2008 10:45PM
Hmm, I suppose Microsoft would be even less likely than Sony to make it an open platform, huh?
horngreen @ Feb 14th 2008 11:05PM
I sure as hell won't get any other MS console at launch, handheld or other wise. I was luck enough to have the first Xbox fixed under warranty and the 360 as well. Then again I think handheld games are truly for loners. Can't you even ride a bus/plane/train for a few hours without gaming? GET A LIFE!