As part of the Xbox Ally Handheld announcement today, Microsoft has also announced the “Handheld Compatibility Program“. This programme is designed to let players know whether they can best play a game they own on supported devices, slapping these two badges onto any compatible title:
- Handheld Optimized: This indicates games that are ready to go—with default controller inputs, an intuitive text input method, accurate iconography, clear text legibility, and appropriate resolution in full-screen mode—so you can spend less time adjusting settings, and more time defeating that next big boss.
- Mostly Compatible: This indicates games that may require minor in-game setting changes for an optimal experience on handheld.
Games will also feature a Windows Performance Fit indicator to reflect expected performance on your supported device. When a game is both “Handheld Optimized” and carries a Windows Performance Fit “Should play great” or “Should play well” badge, it signals compatibility and performance fit—giving you added assurance before you play.
The company has worked with game studios to test, optimise, and verify thousands of games for handheld compatibility with more titles to be added into the programme over time.
Read up on the Xbox Ally details thisaway and our impressions on the devices right over here—though do note that price remains under wraps for the time being.
