Robbie Bach, former Chief Xbox Officer, confirmed that Xboy, the rumored Xbox handheld console, will never launch. He cited some of the reasons why Xboy failed to enter development.
Previously, Microsoft was planning to enter the portable gaming market with the introduction of the Xboy device. However, the company ultimately shot down the project.
IGN revealed that according to Bach, Xboy never entered the prototype stage, although there were certainly drawings of the potential handheld gaming system. Bach explained the Xboy was also referred to in other names, although always with the letter "X."
He said that although the company felt that they also needed to move into the handheld gaming field, XBoy never happened simply because they could not focus. Bach said that they did not have the bandwidth for an Xboy project.
Bach continued that fortunately, their decision to focus all their efforts on the gaming console market with the Xbox 360 worked to their advantage, since smartphones immediately dominated the mobile market after they dropped Xboy.
Microsoft has become a leader in the home console industry with the huge success of the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, along with other big names like Sony and Nintendo.
Although Microsoft's biggest competitors also have mobile gaming systems, Microsoft remained true to its focus and did not look back on the Xboy.
Yahoo stated that the portable gaming scene has suffered much in the past decade with the rise of smartphones.
The PlayStation Vita is currently deemed a legacy platform, while Nintendo has reduced the total 3DS units that it expects to sell, confirming that the handheld gaming device market is not as lucrative as it once was. Microsoft could have made the same adjustments if it continued with the Xboy.
On the other hand, there are still portable gaming loyalists who invest in such systems aside from their home consoles, which are generally a mainstay.
GameRant noted that there were also times that Microsoft almost shut down the development of the Xbox. However, the accidental timing of deviating from the Xboy has rendered several good results for the company. It has alo opened more opportunities to delve deeper into the market.
In the meantime, Xbox fans can look forward to the release of the Xbox One S and Project Scorpio soon, which promises more powerful specifications and better graphics, among others.
More updates and details on Xbox and Xboy are expected soon.
