The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase did give us an update on new console iteration in the form of an all-digital Xbox Series X, but it lacked any word on the long-rumored Xbox hardware many fans are anxious to hear more about: An Xbox handheld.
Today on stage at IGN Live, IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey asked Spencer to address the rumors that Xbox is working on some sort of handheld.
“The future for us in hardware is pretty awesome. The work that the team is doing around different form factors, different ways to play, I’m incredibly excited about,” Spencer said. “Today was about the games… but we will have a time to come out and talk more about platform, and we can’t wait to bring it to you.”
When asked if a hypothetical Xbox handheld would be a dedicated gaming platform where you can play games locally (like a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch), or a cloud-based handheld, Spencer responded: “I think being able to play games locally is really important.”
Rumors about a possible Xbox handheld console have been swirling for months, with many expecting some kind of announcement at today’s showcase. Those rumors were fueled by the trove of leaked Microsoft documents last fall, which revealed plans for an Xbox handheld. Spencer, however, would later come out to say those plans were outdated.
Xbox has hinted at new hardware in the near-ish future, with Microsoft announcing a multi-year roadmap in February that includes a next-generation Xbox console. And, while neither Spencer nor any other Xbox leadership had confirmed the existence of it, Spencer did go so far as to say what he would want from a handheld Xbox in an interview with Polygon in March.
At the time, Spencer listed various features that would make a handheld console “feel like an Xbox,” including having access to all your games with associated save files: “What should we build that will find new players?” he said at the time. “That will allow people to play at times when they couldn’t go play [in the past]?”
Elsewhere during our interview with Spencer, he addressed the recent closure of Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. For everything that actually was announced at today’s Xbox Showcase, check out our full round-up. And stay tuned for more from our exclusive chat with Spencer at IGN Live.
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Logan Plant is IGN’s Database Manager, Playlist Editor, occasional news writer, and Super Ninfriendo on Nintendo Voice Chat. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.
