The first sale of the Xbox One at the Xbox One Launch at Milk Studios. (Photo : Getty Images/Charley Gallay)
Former chief Xbox officer Robbie Bach revealed that the Xboy handheld console was planned to be made by Microsoft, but it was cancelled. He also revealed the reason why they could not create the device.
Bach told IGN in an interview that his former gaming company wanted to compete in the handheld console market, but they scrapped the project in the end. They referred to the old project as Xboy, and it did not get to a prototype stage. He revealed that it had drawings of its planned form.
Bach also said that the plans for the cancelled handheld came up as a project a lot of times at the gaming company. He noted that it was not always called the Xboy, but it was to be called a name that will have an X in it.
The former chief officer also revealed why the gaming company did not continue with the project. He said that they could not focus on the idea, and they did not have the time for it.
The decision they made on cancelling the handheld console project had a positive effect on them. It was revealed later on that the smartphones took over the mobile scene. Bach said that it was a smart decision, but it was somewhat an accidental one.
Bach believed that focusing on the Xbox 360 was the right thing to do at that time. He also added that they were lucky that the popularity of the mobile app games rose up and took over the handheld marketplace.
In other Xbox news, Microsoft has revealed that the Xbox One 500 GB consoles are now only $249. According to the official website of Xbox, any kind of 500 GB Xbox One console will now have the same price. This will include different special editions of the console like "Gears of War: Ultimate Edition" Bundle, the Special Edition "Quantum Break" bundle that has the white console, and the Name your Game bundle.
The game console manufacturer clarified that the deal will be available while supplies last. They did not say that the console's price will return to its original one when summer is over.
Check out Xbox One's price cut video below:
