Microsoft is betting on the Xbox console, and is now making it part of the Windows 10 ecosystem, but long before the 360 saw the light of day, the company had different plans for its gaming endeavor.
Robbie Bach, who is the former chief Xbox Officer, said in an interview that Microsoft actually wanted to develop a portable Xbox console called “Xboy or X something,” but the company had to cancel it because the full focus was on the Xbox 360.
Bach explains that a prototype for this device was never built, but there were certainly sketches, but there was a huge problem at the time: Microsoft was working hard to get the Xbox 360 ready, so focusing on a project like the Xboy would have an impact on the development of the main product.
When looking back on the decision the company made, Bach says it was a tough but smart decision, explaining that smartphones have evolved a lot in recent years, and such a device would make less sense now.
Rumor has it that Microsoft wanted to make an Xbox gaming tablet with a 7-inch display and focus on delivering high performance to be able to support the latest titles, but once again the company seems to have canceled the device before it even reached the prototype stage.
For now, however, Microsoft seems to be prioritizing the Xbox One, given that it is an essential part of Windows 10's effort to bring all devices together, including PCs and smartphones.
