This week Microsoft announced a new entry into the tablet market with Surface. Now don’t be confused by the table-sized touch device of the same name; the new Microsoft Surface is a tablet through and through.
There aren’t a ton of details out there about this device but what we’ve heard so far sounds pretty cool. There’s PC-like components such as USB and a SD slot. Then there’s the integrated kickstand and a smart cover that doubles as a sleek keyboard. However we’re missing a lot of essential information such as apps, release and, of course, price.
Talking About Games is, naturally, a website about video games so this Friday Five is dedicated directly to the ways that I hope this new tablet could change how we play games.
It could work with an Xbox 360 Controller
Many PC gamers will tell you that the ability to use the wonderfully designed Xbox 360 controller with several PC games is one of the best things this new generation has brought. The sheer fact that the Microsoft Surface includes a USB slot means that it could be very easy to use a controller to play games on it. All it would take is a wired controller or the small wireless dongle and your tablet can easily be turned into a small TV. Many games that already include virtual sticks could be updated to suddenly work like you were playing your home console.
It could get us even more Achievements
I’m pretty sure that almost everyone loves achievements. Microsoft’s achievement system is definitely the lead dog and although other companies like Apple and Blizzard have tried to do similar things, none seem to have the same hook. We all know there are people out there who own a Windows Phone just because it allows them to get more achievements. The new Surface tablet is going to lead to even more kinds of games and that means another avenue to pad our gamerscores. Who doesn’t want that?
It could let us play our Xbox Live Arcade Games
If there’s one thing that would make me run out and get a Surface tablet immediately it would be the reveal that you entire XBLA library works on the device. Now it’s unclear if the tablet will be strong enough to handle the likes of games like Shadow Complex or Trials Evolution but it would be a major selling point. Of all the hopes I have for this device this is probably the most far-fetched. If anything could draw gamers away from the stranglehold that Apple has on the tablet market, this would certainly be a big one.
It could let us play PC games on the go
Surface is split amongst two different systems, one that is more like a tablet and one that is more like a PC. Depending on the power of the PC-esque version it could very possibly stand as a compact PC game player. Many people already play PC games portably with laptops and the Surface tablet could be the next step. Imagine a full featured tablet that also contains the ability to let you get in a quick game of Diablo III at lunch. Yeah.
It could be Microsoft’s push into the portable market
Microsoft has, perhaps smartly, stayed out of the portable console market. The PSP and DS both did great but the latest handhelds, Vita and 3DS, haven’t quite set the world on fire. Many people point to their disappointing sales as a result of the rise of smart phones and tablets. With what the Surface offers and with a gaming push from Microsoft, it could easily become the device that spans both markets. Sure, it doesn’t have sticks or buttons but the keyboard and the ability to have mouse or controller support could lead to entirely new types of games that go beyond what we currently see on tablets. Plus it could offer all the fun of gaming with the features of media and internet connectivity that we crave with a tablet. It could be a win-win!
Will any of these ideas come true for the Surface? Some probably will, others most certainly will not. Since we don’t have many firm details yet we can only hope and dream that Microsoft is releasing a tablet that could truly be a gamers’ paradise.
