Tencent and Logitech Are Developing a Handheld Cloud Gaming Device
Just a few short years ago, you needed expensive gaming hardware to play AAA titles, but cloud gaming is changing that. By offloading all the rendering to a server, these services can turn almost any screen into a portal for your gaming obsession, and Logitech wants in on the action. No, it’s not launching yet another gaming service. Logitech has partnered with Chinese megafirm Tencent to develop a “handheld cloud gaming” device.
You have several options for accessing cloud gaming services like GeForce Now, Luna, and Stadia. You can use a TV or media streamer that supports your chosen service, and then you’ve always got the phone in your pocket for a portable gaming experience. However, streaming a game to your phone will drain the battery, and you probably need your phone for other things. The mysterious, unnamed Logitech x Tencent handheld could be the solution.
The companies have not provided any details on the proposed handheld, but we can assume some things just based on the intended use case. Such a device could (and should be) cheaper than a traditional handheld console like the Switch. All you need for streaming a game from the cloud is a screen, an internet connection, and enough power to decode high-resolution video (which is cheap). By focusing on this one experience, the Logitech x Tencent handheld could be better at streaming games than your phone and cost much less.
The announcement post mentions both Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now. It’s possible more services will work on the device, but Google’s ailing Stadia and Amazon’s embryonic Luna are nowhere to be seen at this time. The offerings from Microsoft and Nvidia are arguably the leaders in cloud gaming right now anyway. Microsoft has the backing of popular game franchises and legions of dedicated Xbox fans, and Nvidia lets you play the games you already own on platforms like Steam and Epic. It makes sense for Logitech to start there.
Read more about this official announcement on our blog: https://t.co/YgKGb8cFBy
— Logitech G (@LogitechG) August 2, 2022
Price is going to be key to the success or failure of this product, but the ability to use modest hardware and rely on servers to do all the hard work should keep manufacturing costs low. Adding mobile data (LTE or 5G) could make the device easier to use on the go, but that would crank up the price — Wi-Fi-only seems like the safer bet. It needs to remain cheap enough that people won’t just use their phone or buy a Switch for on-the-go gaming.
If you’re as intrigued by the unnamed cloud gaming gadget as we are, Logitech would be happy to tell you all about it when the time comes — just register for updates. There’s no official timeline for release, but the post does mention updates on the “development process,” so it could be a while.
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