Microsoft not forgotten in handheld war

Everyone is talking about Nintendo’s 3DS and Sony’s PSP2 – but Microsoft hopes it too will play a major role in the battle of the handhelds.

The platform holder claims its three-screen strategy will be key to its success this year, as it promotes Xbox Live and other gaming brands through three platforms: consoles, PCs and mobile phones.

I think that our three-screen strategy will become increasingly relevant this year, which will put our products into the hands and pockets of many more people, and give our consumers the options to access content on various different platforms,” director of Xbox and Entertainment Stephen McGill told MCV.

We’ve already seen the consumer excitement from Xbox Live integration on Windows Phone 7, and I’m looking forward to this continuing to grow throughout the year and beyond.”

Windows Phone 7 was announced during Gamescom last August, where Microsoft said a number of best-selling gaming franchises that would be coming to mobile, including Halo, Crackdown, Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell.

More than 1.5 million handsets were sold in the first six weeks on sale. Microsoft has consistently touted the potential of Windows Phone 7 for the video game market.

The mobile platform was a key part of Microsoft’s keynote at CES 2011 this month, where the firm announced additional titles such as Fable Coin Golf and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011.