Battle.net Archives

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

PlayStation PC Games Run On The New Xbox Handheld

Asus has unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices, which allow access to Microsoft's library of PC games as well as PlayStation's PC game offerings. These devices run Windows, enabling users to play various titles from Sony, including Days Gone, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and God of War Ragnarök. The devices are expected to support PlayStation remote play from the PS5 and come in two models: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. They feature an "Xbox full-screen experience" and a dedicated Xbox button, along with the Game Bar overlay for easy navigation. Microsoft has paused development on a standalone Xbox handheld but is working on a new Xbox console that may include a handheld device.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Microsoft enters handheld games PC fray with Asus partnership

Microsoft has partnered with Asus to launch its first portable Xbox consoles, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, which run on Windows 11. These devices aim to enhance gaming compatibility with various platforms and integrate Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. An optimized version of Windows 11 for gaming has been introduced, and the consoles feature user-friendly elements such as an immersive full-screen experience and an aggregated gaming library. The launch is anticipated towards the end of 2025, though pricing details are not yet available.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming devices are real and will be released during the 2025 holiday season

Microsoft unveiled its collaboration with ASUS’ ROG division, introducing the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming devices. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but they are expected to be similar to current ROG Ally systems, with the ROG Ally X potentially reaching up to 0. The devices will launch this holiday season in countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. All games showcased will be playable on the Xbox Ally, although it is unclear if all titles will run natively. Users can play games from various platforms, including Battle.net, Steam, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect, with integration of Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere. The handhelds feature a full-screen Xbox user interface and include accessibility features from Xbox consoles and PCs. Both models run on Windows 11, with the Xbox Ally equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, while the Xbox Ally X has an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. They share a seven-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The Xbox Ally weighs 670g and the Xbox Ally X weighs 715g, with dimensions of 290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm. Both support video output through two USB-C ports, with the Xbox Ally X featuring a ThunderBolt 4 compatible port.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Microsoft Finally Gets Into the Handheld Game With ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft unveiled its new handheld gaming consoles, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, during the Summer Game Fest on June 8. Both models feature a design resembling a pair of controllers attached to a wide screen and are expected to launch this holiday season. They will operate on Windows 11 and allow for gaming through remote play, cloud gaming, or directly on the device, providing access to a wide range of PC games and popular applications. Initial impressions of the consoles have been positive, with reports highlighting their comfortable design and gameplay experience. Microsoft aims to compete with existing handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, and the Ally will debut with popular titles, including Roblox.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

I tested Xbox’s powerful — and heavy

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a handheld console with a 7-inch display, set to launch during the holiday season. It weighs 715 g (1.58 lbs), making it the heaviest handheld on the market. The console operates on Windows and comes pre-loaded with Steam, Battle.net, and Discord. Despite its impressive features and graphics, concerns about its ergonomics and comfort during prolonged use were raised after a short gameplay session. Feedback from other attendees indicated that some found the device comfortable, likening it to an Xbox controller.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

The First Xbox Handheld Has Been Revealed

Microsoft has announced its entry into the handheld gaming market with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, developed in collaboration with Asus. The devices support native gaming and cloud streaming. Key features include a larger battery, ergonomic grips, a dedicated Xbox button, and an optimized operating system that reduces Windows 11's idle power consumption by about two-thirds, enhancing battery life and freeing up to 2GB of RAM for gaming performance. Exclusive Windows 11 features will initially be available only on these devices, with plans to extend them to standard ROG Allys by late 2025 and to other handheld gaming PCs in 2026. Specifications: - ROG Xbox Ally: AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 1080p 7” touchscreen, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD (upgradeable), 60Wh battery, 670g weight. - ROG Xbox Ally X: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 1080p 7” touchscreen, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD (upgradeable), 80Wh battery, 715g weight. Both devices can run Windows games from platforms like Xbox, Battle.net, GoG, Ubisoft Connect, and Steam. They are expected to launch during the Holiday season of 2025 in markets including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Microsoft dives into the handheld gaming PC wars with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft has unveiled the Asus ROG Xbox Ally hardware line, a Windows-powered handheld gaming device. The Xbox Ally devices run on Windows 11 and provide access to a wide range of games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect through an aggregated gaming library. This library simplifies access to games across different platforms and aims to improve user experience compared to SteamOS devices. The Xbox Ally supports applications like Discord and Twitch and allows for downloadable game mods. It features a unique "Xbox Experience for Handheld" interface that hides the Windows desktop to enhance gaming focus and performance. A dedicated Xbox button offers quick access to the Xbox Game Bar overlay for settings and performance monitoring. Microsoft is also creating a program to identify Windows titles optimized for handheld gaming.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

GeForce NOW to Get DOOM: The Dark Ages, Blades of Fire and More in May

NVIDIA's GeForce NOW platform is set to release several new PC games in May, including: - Survival Machine - May 7 - Revenge of the Savage Planet - May 8 - Spirit of the North 2 - May 8 - The Precinct - May 13 - DOOM: The Dark Ages - May 15 - Blacksmith Master - May 15 - 9 Kings - May 19 - RoadCraft - May 20 - Monster Train 2 - May 21 - Survive the Fall - May 21 - Blades of Fire - May 22 - Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Available on Steam - The Last Spell - Available on Steam - War Robots: Frontiers - Available on Steam - Torque Drift 2 - Available on Epic Games Store Recent additions to the library include: - Deadzone: Rogue - April 29 - Haunted House Renovator - April 30 - Far Cry 4 - April 30 - Anno 1800 - May 1 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered - May 1 - Blood Strike - Available on Steam - DREDGE - Available on Xbox - LONESTAR - Available on Steam - Soulstone Survivors - Available on Steam DOOM: The Dark Ages will feature path tracing and NVIDIA DLSS, with path tracing available shortly after launch.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Mar. 28: Epic Games Store Spring Sale

The Epic Games Store Spring Sale features significant discounts on popular titles like the Deluxe Edition of Alan Wake 2, Until Dawn, and God of War Ragnarok. Other platforms, including GOG.com and Green Man Gaming, are also running Spring Sales. Steam's early access launch of Wreckfest 2 has a notable discount, and the Steam City Builder & Colony Sim Fest is ongoing. Call of Duty fans can find deals on Battle.net for Black Ops 6. Fanatical offers a Capcom Bundle where gamers can choose titles like The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles and Resident Evil 2 at various pricing options. Green Man Gaming provides a 15% discount on any PC game with the coupon code MAR15. Humble Choice is available for .99 per month, featuring games like Pacific Drive and Homeworld 3, with various pricing tiers for more games that activate on Steam.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Enough with the game launchers! It’s dragging PC gaming down

The proliferation of game launchers such as EA, Steam, Blizzard, Epic, Xbox, and Ubisoft Connect has created frustration for PC gamers, making it difficult to locate games and manage multiple platforms. Issues include lengthy installation processes, problems with game registration, unexpected logouts, and complications in co-op game menus. The gaming experience has become convoluted, with some launchers requiring multiple platforms or external authentication. The gaming industry has shifted from a simpler model, exemplified by Battle.net in 1997, to a fragmented ecosystem driven by financial motivations, leading to a lack of collaboration between platforms.