holiday season Archives

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

13 years after it was first teased, and 2 months after committing to a 2025 release, Mewgenics is delayed into 2026

Mewgenics, an "endless cat breeding RPG," will now be released on February 10, 2026, instead of the originally planned 2025 launch. Creator Edmund McMillen cited strategic planning as the reason for the delay, aiming to avoid competition with holiday releases. The additional eight months will allow the team to complete significant development tasks, including the animation of the final boss, integration of hard path rewards and random generation items, creation of ten new cutscenes, commissioning of three new music tracks, implementation of alternative and shiny furniture, and the completion of a secret late-game system. McMillen plans to engage fans with live streams and previews starting in January.

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

Windows and Xbox team up with ASUS to create ROG Xbox Ally handhelds

At the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, Xbox and ASUS introduced the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld devices, powered by Windows 11. These devices provide access to a diverse game library, allow for PC gaming versatility, and support multifunctional capabilities such as running applications like Discord and streaming on platforms like Twitch. Roanne Sones from Xbox highlighted the unique advantages of these handhelds, emphasizing their access to games not available elsewhere. The ROG Xbox Ally series is set to launch in select markets for the holiday season, with plans for further regional expansion.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Hands-On With the Xbox Ally X, the New Gaming Handheld from Asus and Microsoft

PC gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally X and Xbox Ally, are designed for the Xbox platform through a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft. The Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, while the base Xbox Ally has a Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Both models have a 7.0-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and support VRR and FreeSync technology. The Xbox Ally X was tested with Gears of War: Reloaded at 1080p and 60 fps. The systems run a streamlined version of Windows with an optimized Xbox app that allows game imports from other platforms. The ergonomic design resembles a split Xbox controller, but its size may affect portability. Pricing details are not yet disclosed, but the Xbox Ally X is expected to be premium-priced.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Why the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X have Valve in their sights, not Nintendo

Microsoft has announced its first Xbox co-branded handheld devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, in collaboration with Asus, set to launch in the holiday season of 2025. Pricing details are not yet available. The Xbox Ally is designed as a generalist device, while the Xbox Ally X targets high-performance gamers, both powered by AMD processors and equipped with Windows 11. They feature Xbox-branded buttons, a gaming interface, and access to Xbox Game Pass, along with the ability to stream console libraries via Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. The user interface is similar to that of Xbox consoles, with ergonomic grips inspired by Xbox controllers. Accessibility features from Xbox and Windows will be included, and the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative will allow games to function across PC, console, and cloud platforms. The launch will occur in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and several European nations, with plans to expand to additional territories. The devices aim to provide a unified gaming library for users with both PC and Xbox consoles, enhancing the existing ecosystem. The introduction of Windows 11 is highlighted as a key feature, offering access to games not available elsewhere. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are positioned to compete with existing handhelds like the Steam Deck, with a focus on appealing to both console and PC gamers. Sales of Windows PC handhelds reached approximately 1.2 million units by the end of 2024.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

ROG Xbox Ally From Asus and Microsoft Arrives Holiday 2025

Microsoft announced the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device developed with Asus, during the Xbox Games Showcase. It will launch later this year in two models: the standard ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X. The ROG Xbox Ally features: - AMD Ryzen Z2A processor - 16GB RAM - 512GB storage The ROG Xbox Ally X features: - AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor - 24GB RAM - 1TB storage Both models run on Windows 11 Home, have a 7" FHD display, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4. The standard model weighs 670g with a 60Wh battery, while the X model weighs 715g with an 80Wh battery. Pricing is anticipated to be around 0, with a release expected during the holiday season. Additionally, the game Silksong will be available at the time of the device's release.

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

April 22, 2025

5 things the Surface Pro 12 needs to finally beat the Apple iPad Pro in 2025

The Surface Pro 11 has been praised as an excellent 2-in-1 device, but there are areas for improvement. Microsoft is set to release the Surface Pro 12 later this year, expected to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 SoC, which promises enhanced performance similar to Apple's M4 chip. Key improvements anticipated include more uniform bezels, a reduction in thickness, and a lighter design to enhance usability as a 2-in-1 device. There is also a desire for 5G models to be available at launch, as previous releases have seen delays. Consumers are calling for both Snapdragon and Intel options to have the same features, addressing the current disparity. Additionally, there is a request for the return of vibrant colors, particularly red, to the Surface Pro lineup.