MS: Glad we haven't made a handheld

Written by Joe Martin

May 15, 2008 | 11:51

Tags: #console #handheld #shane-kim

Companies: #microsoft

Microsoft Games Studios boss Shane Kim has said he is very happy that the company hasn't tried to launch a handheld games console, mainly because the games made by Microsoft Games Studios just wouldn't work well in the handheld market.

"I'm very happy we didn't get into it, because launching a handheld platform is like launching another Xbox 360. You have to be fully committed, as an organisation, from a resource standpoint, to doing that," Shane said in interview with Eurogamer today.

"Frankly we've got a lot on our plate with Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. We don't have any experience in that space. Our content assets don't naturally lend themselves to driving success in that particular market. So, we're happy to let Sony and Nintendo slog it out."

At the same time though Shane did say that "mobile is probably the more important platform in the future" - most likely because he remembered how important Windows Mobile and the Zune are to the company. That's even without mentioning the important of Windows XP as an OS for UMPCs like the EEE PC 900.

Instead of trying to compete with the hugely successful Nintendo DS Lite, Microsoft has chosen to work with Nintendo by working on several DS and GBA games, such as DS Viva Pinata.

So, are you happy that Microsoft hasn't tried to release a portable gaming platform, or is competition always a good thing? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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