Handheld PC gaming seems to be in the spotlight right now, especially with the success of devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. Hot on their heels, companies like Asus have introduced competitors like the ROG Ally, sparking buzz about handheld gaming’s potential. But is this enthusiasm sustainable, or just a fleeting trend?
After an exclusive conversation with Acer at IFA 2024, I found myself rethinking the future of this category, and it’s not all bright.
Shrinking Profit Margins
One of the key draws of handheld gaming devices is their affordability. The Steam Deck, for instance, was seen as revolutionary for making PC gaming more accessible, both in terms of portability and price. At $400, it seemed like a worthwhile addition to your gaming setup, whether you already had a PC, laptop, or console.
But there’s a downside to this affordability. Acer, which is releasing its own handheld gaming device — the Nitro Blaze 7, an AMD-powered 7-inch device — isn’t particularly optimistic about the future of this market.
When I spoke to Acer’s Chief Operating Officer, Jerry Kao, his response was blunt. “We do not believe it is a big market,” he admitted. “But when people think about gaming, Acer is one of their choices, so we shouldn’t be absent. But do we think there will be a big success? My personal opinion up until now is not so optimistic.”
Kao pointed out that pricing is a significant issue. The Steam Deck set the bar low, which makes it tough for competitors to scale up in terms of features or price. Even the ROG Ally had to cut prices to stay competitive. Since most handhelds rely on similar chips, differentiating between them becomes a challenge, especially when pricing is so tight. For example, MSI’s upcoming Claw AI 8+ will feature a new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chip, but pricing details remain a mystery.
What’s more, the Nitro Blaze 7 isn’t even an original Acer design. According to ETA Prime on YouTube, it appears to be a rebranded version of the Terrans Force Handle 5, a lesser-known Chinese competitor to the ROG Ally. Acer gave it a visual makeover, but the Nitro Blaze 7 isn’t the labor of love you’d expect from a company putting its hopes into handheld gaming. Pricing details remain under wraps for now.
Meanwhile, competitors like Asus and Lenovo are moving forward. Asus has already launched its second-generation ROG Ally X, and Lenovo is working on a follow-up to its Legion Go. So while the market isn’t dead, Acer is cautious about diving in too deep.
A Shift in Focus
While Acer might be hesitant about handheld gaming’s future, they are aware of the blurring lines between console and PC gaming, which is where their new concept laptop, Project Dualplay, comes in. This experimental laptop integrates a game controller directly into the chassis, allowing it to be used wirelessly or split in two for multiplayer gaming on the go.
This product represents a different direction for Acer, one that taps into the growing appeal of using game controllers across different platforms, from smartphones to PCs.
“Controllers have somehow become a common language,” Kao noted. “This is something we want to give a try and listen to customer feedback. So far, it’s been overwhelmingly good.”
I witnessed that enthusiasm firsthand at the press conference, where the reveal of Project Dualplay received an unexpectedly loud reaction from the audience. It’s the kind of unique, innovative concept that grabs attention at a show like IFA. The novelty of the idea, combined with the growing desire for better controller integration with PCs, seemed to resonate.
I also spoke with James K. Lin, Acer’s General Manager of Notebooks, who explained that Project Dualplay aims to challenge people’s perspectives on how they interact with the PC gaming ecosystem.
“Of course, when you design a product with the controller inside, you have to sacrifice something, and which one we can sacrifice is always a tough decision,” Lin said. “This time, we sacrificed the battery, which is the easiest way.”
Acer hasn’t disclosed details on how small the battery is or even if Project Dualplay will become a real product. But I appreciate Acer’s willingness to experiment and explore new ways to make PC gaming more accessible.
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