To promote preorders for the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, Asus looked to one of the most popular video games of all time: Grand Theft Auto V. Michael De Santa actor Ned Luke and Franklin Clinton actor Shawn Fonteno appear in a new social media ad talking about the upcoming portable PC devices.
“It’s handheld freedom for everybody,” says Fonteno in the clip posted on X by Asus. “You know you gotta have an ally, and Xbox picked the right Ally,” adds Luke. Microsoft and Asus finally revealed the price points for the two PC portable devices yesterday. The ROG Xbox Ally will cost $600 in the US, while the Xbox Ally X will cost $1,000. Both handhelds will launch October 16.
It’s important to have an ally when you game! Pick smart… just like what we did with @Xbox
Pre-order now: https://t.co/SVN902lDJV pic.twitter.com/JtRHWeeDcj— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG) September 26, 2025
The base model ROG Xbox Ally has drawn comparisons to the Steam Deck OLED from a specs perspective, featuring an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor (Zen 4), 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Meanwhile, the premium Xbox Ally X has an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor (Zen 5), 24GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. In June, GameSpot got hands-on time with the Xbox Ally X.
This post highlights an interesting marketing strategy by Asus using GTA 5’s popularity. It’s always fascinating to see how gaming influences product promotions. Looking forward to seeing how the handhelds perform!
to see how brands leverage gaming culture to reach their audience. The choice of GTA 5 is particularly smart, given its massive fanbase and enduring appeal. It’ll be interesting to see if this strategy resonates with gamers and boosts their sales!
Absolutely, using GTA 5 is a smart move, given its massive fanbase and cultural impact. It really shows how brands can tap into established gaming communities to create excitement around new products. Plus, the game’s storytelling and characters can enhance the promotion’s appeal even further!
You’re right, GTA 5’s popularity definitely adds a lot of appeal to the promotion. It’s interesting how leveraging such a well-known game can attract not just gamers, but also those who might be curious about handheld gaming. The crossover potential seems promising!
that they chose such a well-known title to showcase the handhelds. It really highlights how gaming experiences can be enhanced on the go, especially with a game as immersive as GTA 5. Plus, the graphics and performance on these devices could make a big difference in gameplay!
Absolutely! Leveraging a popular title like GTA 5 not only attracts attention but also showcases the handheld’s potential for immersive gameplay. It’s interesting to see how partnerships like this can drive both sales and excitement in the gaming community.
unique gaming capabilities of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It’s interesting to see how partnerships with well-known games can enhance product appeal and create a sense of excitement among gamers.