ROG Ally Xbox: The End of Gated Consoles, Inspired by Steam Deck
▼ Summary
– The ROG Xbox Ally categorizes game compatibility with performance badges, similar to the Steam Deck but with clearer distinctions for 30 fps and 60 fps thresholds.
– It includes a “handheld optimized” tag requiring controller compatibility and legible UI, mirroring the Steam Deck’s Verified system.
– The device allows users to optimize battery life, remap buttons, and use performance overlays, features influenced by PC handhelds like the Steam Deck.
– Users can download apps for multiple digital storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store, enabling access to games outside the Xbox ecosystem.
– Pricing is unconfirmed but rumored at $550 for the base model and $900 for the Xbox Ally X, with a launch expected in October.
The gaming world stands at a significant turning point with the introduction of the ROG Ally Xbox, a handheld device that challenges traditional console boundaries by embracing open-platform flexibility. Drawing clear inspiration from the Steam Deck, Microsoft’s upcoming portable system redefines what players can expect from a dedicated gaming machine, prioritizing transparency in performance and broad software compatibility.
Rather than functioning as a simple handheld Xbox, the device adopts a PC-like approach to game optimization. Titles achieving 30 fps or higher receive a “Should perform well on your device” badge, while those hitting 60 fps or above are labeled “Should perform great on this device.” This tiered rating system offers a more nuanced view than Valve’s verification process, addressing a common frustration among portable gamers where “verified” doesn’always mean “smooth.”
Another key feature is the “handheld optimized” tag, awarded only to games that deliver seamless controller integration, readable on-screen interfaces, and intuitive menu navigation. This standard closely mirrors the Steam Deck’s verification criteria but refines the messaging to set clearer expectations. Like its Valve-made counterpart, the ROG Ally Xbox will include a dedicated section highlighting these optimized titles directly on its home screen.
What truly sets this device apart is its willingness to break from console conventions. Users can remap controls, adjust power settings to extend battery life, and even enable a performance overlay, features typically reserved for PC gaming. This shift reflects the growing influence of handheld PCs and signals a move toward greater user agency.
Perhaps most strikingly, the system supports third-party storefronts including Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, allowing players to access libraries beyond the Xbox ecosystem. While it remains unclear whether non-Xbox games will carry the same performance badges, the ability to install and run software from multiple platforms positions the Ally as a truly open device.
Early hands-on impressions praise the comfort of its uniquely designed back grips and the surprisingly smooth experience of navigating Windows 11 in handheld form. Still, questions linger about its place in a competitive market that includes the standard ROG Ally, Steam Deck, and Lenovo Legion Go.
Pricing remains unofficial due to what Microsoft describes as “macro-economic influences,” though leaks suggest a $550 starting point for the base model and $900 for the more powerful Ally X variant.
As the device is showcased at Gamescom, it’s worth noting that Microsoft faces external challenges, including protests at its Redmond campus related to the company’s alleged involvement with surveillance activities in conflict regions. These real-world concerns stand in contrast to the virtual worlds the Ally aims to bring to players’ hands.
(Source: PC Gamer)
