Xbox wants to keep swinging at game streaming and cloud TV, by virtue of launching its own streaming hardware and apps for the latter.
According to GamesRadar, the devices and apps are intended to focus on Game Pass titles and cloud-supported games. And these are scheduled to launch within less than a year, after being in the works since 2020. Back then, Xbox boss Phil Spencer teased the possibility of xCloud TV "streaming sticks," as well as an Xbox Game Pass platinum tier which would give people guaranteed access to new hardware releasing.
The original report comes from VentureBeat. In it, they said that unnamed sources familiar with Xbox's plans for the future mentioned a "Roku-like" device's release. This plugin, they say, will let people stream Xbox games using the cloud and will come alongside a smart TV app.
As per the report, these plans are part of Microsoft's desire to appeal to a different audience. These are the folks who might be willing to try free-to-play games like "Halo" or "Fortnite," but aren't too keen on buying the far more expensive consoles.
This is where the cloud TV apps come into play. The sources say that the app is working with Samsung to develop an Xbox-based game streaming app for Samsung's TVs, which will allow people to play games even if they don't have a console. All you need to do is sign up for the cloud service, launch it up from your TV, and you're off and running.
But until Microsoft and Xbox make a clear announcement, this is still a rumor. Though it is really not far off from what these brands would do as a whole. Recently, they've already made "Fortnite" free to mobile users via Xbox Cloud Gaming - Android and iOS included.
This is a clear indication of Xbox's desire to keep investing in the cloud, while also serving as a workaround to Apple's removal of "Fortnite" from iOS devices due to the Apple vs Epic Games lawsuit which made headlines last year.
More Xbox News
In other news regarding Xbox, the Microsoft gaming brand has now announced a new feature that looks and works like Snapchat stories.
This new feature comes with an update for the Xbox mobile app on Android and iOS devices. It allows players to share their best in-game moments via Snapchat-style stories. They can share short gameplay clops, screenshots, and their latest achievements all by tapping the + button next to their gamertags on the Xbox mobile app's home screen.
Anything you post will be visible for 72 hours for everyone in your friends list to see. This is basically Xbox's way of using the power of social media tech trends to give gamers an even greater sense of community - something that Microsoft strived for in the past way back with the original launch of Xbox Live.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by RJ Pierce
