Microsoft's Shane Kim fine with no Xboy

31 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski May 15th 2008 8:15PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

In an interview with Eurogamer, Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim says he's "happy" the company never got into the handheld market, explaining the division has plenty on its plate with the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. He goes pretty deep into the issue, almost shutting down the idea of the Xboy entirely by expressing Microsoft is happy to let Sony and Nintendo fight it out.

Kim believes mobile is more important for MS and Windows Mobile is a really "compelling opportunity" for the company. He explains that it's a way for the company to get into the arena without having to worry about creating more hardware. Microsoft has certainly learned that making good hardware isn't easy and can be hazardous.

Tags: kim, shane-kim, xboy

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

The_Punisher: May 15th 2008; 8:25PM

If they needed an idea, i like that pic. It looks good :)

Jon2309: May 16th 2008; 11:44AM

Yeah, I agree with you there.
Where's Ben Heck? :)

Ryoga Vee: May 15th 2008; 8:25PM

It would have been nice. But the market does not and NEVER has had room for more than 2 hand held systems

Roto13: May 15th 2008; 9:12PM

It's barely ever had room for one. The fact that the PSP has done as well as it has is very impressive.

DangerMouse: May 15th 2008; 8:37PM

The slow start that the PSP got off to would be even slower for Microsoft. Smart move.

Shmil: May 15th 2008; 8:50PM

Nintendo will always *repeat* always dominate the handheld market.

Shmil: May 15th 2008; 8:52PM

Well... actually Its not like they've had much major competition. Gamegear, PSP, and I guess technically the N-Gage.
So they may not always dominate it, but I think Kim is wise to avoid it.

Zeus.:God: May 16th 2008; 7:11PM

GameGear dominated the Gameboy- seriously, I'll take full color, backlit graphics and fun games over a dim, black and "green" system any day.

ScottG13: May 15th 2008; 9:09PM

I could definitely go for more good Windows Mobile games.

Kujel: May 15th 2008; 9:22PM

I like the picture but I'd at least try an Xboy if they ever made such a thing but still it would need a solid launch title line to get off the ground. With 2 established handhelds and they being targeted mostly at the lower income demographic ie under 25 it would be a challenge to break into the market.

Tiptup300: May 15th 2008; 9:25PM

In a few weeks he will be like "What, we have a "Zune"? And it plays homebrew! What!?"

Ninjakamster (PSN: Chin-Poh): May 15th 2008; 9:54PM

If an "Xboy" came out, I'd most likely buy it, especially if it had good connectivity with the 360.

Oh, I'd love to buy games like Doom and N+ on Live and then transfer them to the "Xboy". :D

Banana Kid: May 15th 2008; 10:00PM

Hey, Microsoft--if Windows Mobile is so important to you, where the hell is Live for mobile? That's the main reason I bought a Windows Mobile phone, and it still doesn't exist. I want Uno on the go, dammit.

Dragod: May 15th 2008; 10:00PM

If Microsoft could create a "Hardcore Portable" system, I think it would allow it to compete. Currently, portables are focused on lots of single player, and the occasional limited online experience when it works correctly.

If Microsoft made a portable that was comfortable to hold (Not entirely flat), and had effective control schemes (no little nub things, like PSP), I think it could be immensely popular. Lord knows I've dreamt about Portable Halo, and Portable Xbox Live. If Microsoft can fix what the PSP failed at, and integrated Xbox Live-like features, it could become the #1 portable. It's a long shot, but I don't exactly run home to play Mario Kart DS. I play Halo practically religiously, and being able to take it anywhere would be a godsend.

Smoke_Dawg_187: May 15th 2008; 10:15PM

Amen brother! I'm with you there.

Jacksons: May 16th 2008; 1:52AM

WiFi chews through the DS and PSP's battery something fierce. Having it always on for an XBL-like app would be rough. It'd need one hell of a battery.

Joel: May 16th 2008; 2:07AM

Damn dude that would be sweet! now just imagine the xboy running on this baby!
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15672/NVIDIA-Announces-HighDefinition-Computer-on-a-Chip/

Jason: May 16th 2008; 1:45PM

The thing is Microsoft has no idea what would make a portable system successful, and I don't think your ideas would be successful either (at least not to the level of the DS). Simplicity is the absolute number 1 thing that will make a portable successful; an "Xboy" as you envision (really just a PSP with real analog sticks) would be trying to recreate the experience of a home console on the go, it's too complicated, and like the PSP not suited to a quick game play session on the bus or on your lunch break.

noskillbassist: May 15th 2008; 10:06PM

Oh c'mon guys! Microsoft is hip and with it, so I doubt they'd call their handheld an "Xboy." My money is on "Xdude" or "Xgrip"... or "Xcess" Hells yeah! >_>

HighFiveJesus: May 15th 2008; 10:23PM

Xtreme Dude 5000

unfriendly_cat: May 15th 2008; 10:19PM

I love my DS, but am really looking forward to this, especially since I always wanted a portable Amiga:
http://www.openpandora.org/

Derek: May 15th 2008; 11:06PM

This douchebag just doesn't want to admit that Nintendo would inevitably crush whatever machine they could come out with.

John McPoop: May 15th 2008; 11:11PM

I am one of the few gamers that I know who enjoys portable systems. I would welcome an X-boy with open arms especially if they did what Sony and Microsoft have done with their systems and software libraries. There are a surprising amount of people who play PSP & DS games online.

Here is my only request for all 3 manufacturers in regards to future portable iterations --

The thing is supposed to be portable so give it the ability to connect to a high speed data network for online play, content distribution, purchasing and instant messaging.

I just don't have much time for my handhelds anymore.

Superstar90: May 15th 2008; 11:11PM

If it were to come out it would need GTA and Halo as launch titles, and Xbox LIVE Mobile.

noskillbassist: May 16th 2008; 1:39AM

Right, because original titles for handhelds never work.

Jacksons: May 16th 2008; 1:46AM

It'd be so difficult to offer a lot of better features and still remain competitive to the PSP and DS's $169 and $129 pricepoints. I'm glad they're not interested, as it'd end up being "just another handheld" or way overpriced.

KillerPMS: May 16th 2008; 2:43AM

I would have loved an Xbox handheld system. Its too bad its not in the works. Maybe they would consider creating one to launch along side the next Xbox console XBox 720 or whatever they will call it.
I really love my PSP and use it all the time. Remote play rocks my world so far. I cant wait for Sony to expand the interconnectivity with the PS3. I look forward to the next gen version (PSP2). I'm such a techno-whore!! XD

Zsavior: May 16th 2008; 3:46AM

I have to agree with Shane kim I think it was a wise move not to enter the handheld market. It isn't whether they could make a good system or not and more, whether the timing was right and I think with all MS is handling right now they really didn't need it. I believe the gaming market can have multiple handhelds that are successful, I just don't believe gamers right now with the fanboy "my company as to be first" mentality would have let MS have a fair shake.

ben: May 16th 2008; 9:01AM

ive been thinking about getting a PSP but my hope for an 'xboy' has stopped me from getting one as i prefer xbox to PS3 but thats another story anyway looks like my ££££ going to sony

Joe Smith: May 16th 2008; 12:06PM

A firend at MS told me that they did a pretty thorough investigation of a handheld a while back -- even building mockups and such. But ultimately decided that they had more than enough going on with the 360 to try to break into yet another new market -- especially going up against GameBoy and PSP.

fyreblazer: May 16th 2008; 2:39PM

Still waiting on Xbox Live Mobile...that would be the definition of vaporware had Duke Nukem not taken 80 years to come out.

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