- Kyle Chua
Tencent Partnering With Logitech To Develop Cloud-Based Handheld Console
After the success of the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, handheld gaming is back in style, and everyone seems to want a piece of the pie.
Tencent Games and Logitech have announced they’re partnering up to develop their own handheld console. The partnership plans to leverage Tencent’s software know-how with Logitech’s hardware expertise.
However, unlike the aforementioned Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, which uses hardware to run games, Tencent and Logitech’s console focuses entirely on cloud streaming.
This decision might help the two companies dramatically cut the cost of the console, considering how it won’t need that much processing power. At the same time though, it means users are required to be connected to the internet to be able to play, which, depending on where they live, could prove to be quite costly. Streaming games via the cloud tends to consume a lot of data. So for users who have data caps on either their home or mobile internet plans, this new console won’t be a practical option.
The console, which is currently being referred to as the Logitech G Gaming Handheld, is scheduled to arrive later this year. Logitech said it’ll support multiple cloud gaming services at launch. The partnership is already in talks with Microsoft and Nvidia to add support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now on the console.
“Logitech G’s leadership in PC and console gaming gear makes them an ideal partner to help us realise the vision of bringing a better gaming experience to gamers around the globe,” said Daniel Wu, General Manager of Tencent Games Smart Solution Innovation Lab.
“Today marks the start of a new opportunity for our companies to further push the frontiers of gaming devices.”
While there aren’t a lot of details available about the console yet, some consumers are already somewhat put off by Tencent's involvement in the project. The Chinese tech giant’s track record with regards to data privacy is questionable to say the least, given the number of allegations that have been levelled against it in the past.
India, for example, recently blocked access to Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a popular battle-royale game, citing national security concerns. The game is from Krafton Inc, a South Korean company backed by Tencent.
“Will location and usage data be accessible to the Chinese government,” one Twitter user asked sarcastically.
If Tencent expects its handheld console to sell well in more discerning markets, it’ll probably have to prove it’s not engaged in any dubious data collection practices. That, of course, is a tall task, given the limited time it has left before the console’s release later this year.
Tencent Games and Logitech today announced they’re partnering up to develop their own cloud-based handheld console.
The console, which is currently being referred to as the Logitech G Gaming Handheld, is scheduled to arrive later this year.
Logitech said it’ll support multiple cloud gaming services at launch, with the company already in talks with Microsoft and Nvidia to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now to the console.