Halo and Xbox’s Future Handheld Could Be a Match Made in Heaven

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of Xbox diving headfirst into uncharted territories. The announcement of an Xbox handheld console has me buzzing like a Spartan charging into battle!

Currently, both Xbox gaming platform and the popular Halo series are undergoing significant transformations. Last October, it was announced that developer 343 Industries would be rebranding as Halo Studios, with all future Halo projects now utilizing Unreal Engine 5. This year, Xbox has stepped into a fresh phase, as some of its first-party games are being adapted for PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, while the focus is shifting towards viewing Xbox not only as the console but also as a broader brand.

As an enthusiastic gamer, I can’t contain my excitement about Xbox’s promising future! The diversity and openness of their plans are more tantalizing than ever, and this is evident with the official announcement that an Xbox handheld console is in development. Phil Spencer confirmed this in a Bloomberg interview back in November, and while we might have to wait a few years, it’s worth the anticipation! When this Xbox handheld finally makes its way onto store shelves, it could become a sanctuary for the future of Halo gaming, making each moment spent with it truly special.

Xbox’s Future Handheld Could Be a Perfect Place for Halo

Halo Doesn’t Have a Great Rep on Handhelds

The “Halo” series is perfectly suited for portable gaming due to its rapid, action-packed multiplayer gameplay that caters to brief mobile gaming sessions. The shorter rounds and simplified control scheme make it an ideal choice. Regrettably, as of now, there isn’t a proper way to enjoy “Halo” on a handheld device.

The Steam Deck is an extraordinary portable device that can perform some amazing feats, yet it falls short when it comes to the Halo series. Although Halo: Master Chief Collection and Halo Infinite can technically be played on the Steam Deck through Steam, they both experience significant technical problems, particularly if players aren’t prepared to invest a reasonable amount of time adjusting in-game settings.

The Steam Deck is capable of remote playing games from an Xbox Series X/S as well. Users with robust internet connections may have better results streaming titles like “Halo: MCC” and “Halo Infinite” through remote play or Xbox’s Cloud service, but it’s essential to note that this setup isn’t the optimal choice.

The Xbox Handheld Could Finally Deliver a Great Portable Halo Experience

Upon the launch of the Xbox handheld, it is essential to include native support for the Halo series out-of-the-box. Ideally, this would involve a fully operational edition of both Halo Infinite and Halo: Master Chief Collection that can run directly on the device without relying on external sources such as Cloud gaming or remote play.

As a gamer eagerly awaiting the release of Xbox’s upcoming handheld device, I can only hope that it will be equipped to run the next installment of Halo, should one emerge in the coming years. The prospect of being able to play the entire Halo franchise on this portable console is incredibly exciting, and if rumors are true about a potential remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved, it would undoubtedly be a massive draw. Furthermore, having native support for spin-offs like Halo Wars at launch would make this handheld an even more appealing purchase for fans of the franchise.

Furthermore, “Halo” continues to be considered the crown jewel of Xbox’s lineup. To effectively market their new portable device, it would be strategic for Xbox to highlight “Halo” prominently, thereby establishing the portable console as a genuine extension of the Xbox family, housing franchises that have always been closely tied with the brand.

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2024-12-08 01:33