Tencent partners with Logitech G to launch a cloud gaming handheld this year - P...

Tencent partners with Logitech G to launch a cloud gaming handheld this year

Tencent partners with Logitech G to launch a cloud gaming handheld this year

Zijing Fu

posted on 2 hours ago

The two have also collaborated with Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW teams.

Today, Logitech G and Tencent announced via Twitter that they will bring a cloud gaming handheld to market later this year. The handheld will support multiple cloud gaming services, and “combine Logitech G’s expertise in hardware with Tencent Games’ expertise in software services”, says Tencent.

The two have also collaborated with Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW teams, to bring AAA game experiences to the device. “As someone that grew up playing video games, the idea of being able to stream and play AAA games almost anywhere is super exciting, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on,” said Ujesh Desai, general manager of Logitech G.

The cloud feature sets the device apart from existing game consoles or PCs. On the cloud gaming handheld, games are expected to be rendered and played on remote servers. Cloud gaming saves gamers from the trouble of downloading large files, but requires perfect internet conditions, which cellular data might not be able to provide. Given Logitech G and Tencent’s soon-to-be-released product is a handheld, it begs the question that whether or not cloud gaming and playing on the go contradicts each other.

“Logitech G’s leadership in PC and console gaming gear make them an ideal partner to help us realize the vision of bringing a better gaming experience to gamers around the globe,” said Daniel Wu, general manager of Tencent Games Smart Solution Innovation Lab. “Today marks the start of a new opportunity for our companies to further push the frontiers of gaming devices.”

In May this year, Tencent acquired a patent for a "game machine", which foreshadowed its foray into the gaming device market. According to public records, Tencent’s patent shows a black and orange console, with joysticks and buttons on both sides, resembling Nintendo’s Switch Lite.

Tencent’s collaboration with Logitech G potentially hints at the company’s growing ambition for the overseas gaming market, as gaming in China is facing turmoil. As one of China’s most prominent game companies, Tencent has not been able to secure a game license since August 2021, when a halt on licensing started. The halt ended in April this year, and four batches of newly issued game licenses have been released since then. Yet, Tencent has failed to make the cuts. Stocks of Tencent Holdings fell over 3.7% after the August list of game licenses was published.