Logitech G Cloud 2 is not a priority, gaming chief says
Logitech G head Robin Piispanen says a second G Cloud is not a current focus after weak long-term use and slow cloud gaming growth.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Logitech G Cloud 2 is not coming soon, according to Robin Piispanen, the new head of Logitech G. In an interview with The Verge, Piispanen said Logitech has bigger priorities right now than making a second version of its cloud-focused gaming handheld.
The comment puts a clear brake on expectations for a near-term successor to the G Cloud, a device Logitech launched in 2022 with backing from Tencent. The first model entered a handheld market that soon became defined by more powerful portable gaming PCs, including Valve’s Steam Deck.
Will Logitech make a G Cloud 2?
Piispanen did not rule out Logitech returning to handhelds, but he told The Verge he is unsure when or whether the company should try again. He said the original G Cloud was an experiment Logitech believed in, but the customer use case did not develop as the company had hoped.
According to The Verge, the G Cloud launched at $350 and was quickly compared with the $400 Steam Deck, which could run PC games locally instead of depending on a strong internet connection. The Verge noted that Steam Deck pricing has since risen, but Piispanen still did not present that shift as a reason to rush out a new Logitech handheld.
Why did Logitech cool on handhelds?
Piispanen told The Verge that the G Cloud had a dedicated group of users who liked it, but that most buyers did not keep using it. He estimated that about 80 percent of purchasers tried the device and then stopped using it regularly.
He also pointed to the state of cloud gaming. Piispanen said cloud gaming did not advance as quickly as Logitech needed, and he referenced Microsoft’s view that cloud gaming is costly to run, according to The Verge.
What is a cloud gaming handheld?
A cloud gaming handheld is a portable device built mainly to stream games from remote servers instead of running demanding games on its own hardware. That can reduce the need for expensive chips, heavy cooling and large batteries, but it depends on cloud services, network quality and server capacity.
Sony has also discussed cloud handhelds as a way to make lower-cost devices when memory prices are rising, The Verge reported from a recent PlayStation business meeting. Piispanen still sees the appeal of cloud gaming because it can reduce pressure on weight, battery life and graphics hardware.
Could Logitech build a different handheld?
Asked about a standalone handheld, Piispanen told The Verge that Logitech could study the idea, but he said the company’s strengths are design and input. He suggested Logitech would probably need a partner for other parts of the product.
Piispanen also described handheld gaming hardware as a difficult business unless a company can reach large scale. He noted that Nintendo and Steam benefit from control over content or platforms, while other hardware makers must work with partners and operate on slim margins, according to The Verge.
Logitech is still watching cloud gaming. Piispanen said the company is investing in the future of cloud and talking with companies including Microsoft and Tencent about where the market may go.
For buyers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: a G Cloud successor is not on Logitech’s immediate roadmap. The company appears to be waiting for cloud gaming costs and infrastructure to improve before deciding whether another handheld fits its business.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.