Portable Xbox closer? Microsoft started marking games with a new icon

A new "Xbox Handheld" tag has been spotted on the official pages of upcoming Microsoft games.

The new icon appeared on the pages of several major Microsoft projects – Gears of War: E-Day, State of Decay 3, and Halo: Combat Evolved Remaster, sparking a wave of rumors about the company's plans in the portable device market.

It is labeled "Xbox Handheld" and indicates another way to launch games within the Xbox ecosystem.

The appearance of the tag has sparked discussions. One popular theory is that Microsoft is preparing its own portable Xbox console, the possibility of which company executives have previously discussed.

There is also another theory. According to it, Microsoft is implementing a compatibility system similar to Steam Deck. This approach would help owners of devices like ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go quickly understand which games are best adapted for small screens.

In any case, the appearance of the icon shows that Microsoft is paying increasing attention to the portable gaming market.