According to some sources, Microsoft would shortly unveil a dedicated game streaming device. Microsoft officials also confirm it. It also collaborates with several TV companies to include the Xbox experience directly into their internet-connected screen. Microsoft aims to later include cloud gaming in the Xbox app, focusing on pre-playing scenarios.
How the new game streaming devices are going to look is uncertain or unclear. Microsoft gave no other details. But we probably speak about a Chromecast-style streaming stick or a little Apple-style TV box. Yet, it also unclear that with which TV manufacturers it would collaborate or partner with.
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, its customers may already run over 100 console games on Android, for instance, through the Azure cloud. In a few weeks, it’ll offer cloud gaming to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate customers in browsers o like Edge, Chrome, and Safari (it’s now in limited beta). And Game Pass Ultimate will be brought later this year to Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan.
In many aspects, Microsoft unbundles hardware gaming — analogous to the efforts of Google with Stadia (an endeavor that has so far fallen short to Google) and Amazon through Luna.
The greatest advantage Microsoft has here is a large library of popular games, which mostly lack competitive services other than the GeForce Now platform from Nvidia — though the games are different from those of a third party because they are not about a subscription. Still, they allow you to play games that you buy from outside stores, such as Steam or Epic.
What Microsoft undoubtedly wants to achieve, even if it sells fewer dedicated high-powered consoles, is an overall Xbox ecosystem expansion. This firm links the transition to cloud-based services supported by all-you-can-consume subscription models for the music industry.
In fact, Microsoft says they are working with mobile carriers like Telstra in Australia to create new Xbox subscription options. It’s also bringing cloud gaming to four other countries — Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan — later this year and expects to officially deploy the browser-based version of the software to all users of its $15-a-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription in the upcoming days.
“It’s not about hardware and software, we think, that’s the interactive entertainment, Not pixels. And It doesn’t matter; this is about people. Games bring people closer.” Microsoft’s Xbox chief Phil Spencer stated.
“Games develop bridges and establish ties that generate reciprocal empathy among the world’s inhabitants. That’s why we’re here, Joy and Community.”
It’s worth pointing out that Microsoft does not stop using dedicated hardware but already is working on its console hardware next-generation kinds of stuff—but don’t predict or expect a new Xbox console soon.
