Logitech and Tencent have announced that they're teaming up to create a brand new cloud gaming handheld. The device, which doesn't have a name yet, will support several major cloud gaming services and is due to be released sometime later this year.
What do we know about the Logitech and Tencent cloud gaming handheld?
The new device was announced via the official Logitech blog earlier today. According to the announcement, Logitech's G division, which is responsible for a range of gaming hardware including keyboards and headsets, will work on the new device's hardware, while Tencent will be responsible for its software engineering. The device is scheduled to launch later this year and will support "multiple cloud gaming services", according to Logitech. Sounds pretty exciting.
According to the official announcement, Logitech and Tencent are working alongside the Nvidia Geforce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming teams for this new handheld device. It's not entirely clear in what capacity that work is being carried out, but it's definitely confirmation that these two services will be supported on the new device. You will, therefore, be able to play some pretty heavy hitters on the Logitech-Tencent handheld; at the very least, we know that Epic Games' Fortnite and the phenomenally popular open-world gacha RPG Genshin Impact will be supported, along with the rest of the libraries both Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia Geforce Now offer to players.
Cloud gaming is becoming bigger and bigger
As time goes on, companies are ramping up their efforts to appeal to gamers with cloud gaming. Microsoft is currently working on a Chromecast-esque cloud gaming stick for its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, although the company recently decided to take a "new approach" and change the direction of development on that project, so it could be a while before we hear from it again. There's also the recently-launched PlayStation Plus overhaul, which includes the ability to stream certain games via the cloud if you subscribe to its uppermost tier (it's basically a PlayStation Now membership rolled into the Plus subscription). Services like Geforce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming are also waving the flag for cloud gaming on PC.
We'll have to wait and see what Logitech and Tencent cook up when it comes to this new cloud gaming handheld. It's got stiff competition; although the Steam Deck and Switch aren't necessarily dedicated cloud gaming machines, they are handhelds, and it's pretty easy to get major PC cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Geforce Now working on Steam Deck. Don't forget to sign up to the Logitech mailing list if you want more info about this one, and stay tuned to TechRaptor for more on this rather intriguing little device.
