(Credit: Microsoft)
No console needed: To reach more casual gamers, Microsoft is bringing Xbox’s cloud gaming to select Amazon Fire TV Stick devices.
Next month, Microsoft will release the Xbox app for the 2023 versions of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K.
"For people new to console gaming, or for those looking for another way to play, it’s a great low-cost, convenient, and portable option to enjoy a huge library of incredible games,” Microsoft says.
Players will need a Bluetooth-enabled controller and a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $16.99 per month. In return, they can stream over 100 games, including the latest Xbox titles. That Game Pass subscription also supports game streaming on a PC or phone installed with the Xbox app.
The new partnership marks Microsoft’s latest attempt to expand Xbox beyond consoles, a priority under the company’s gaming chief, Phil Spencer. "I don't think we're doing a good enough job finding new players," he said in February.
In 2022, Microsoft announced a similar partnership to bring Xbox’s cloud gaming to Samsung smart TVs, giving consumers a way to enjoy Xbox games without paying $499 for a console. On Thursday, the Xbox team reiterated the bargain, tweeting: “No console, no problem.”
Still, the news is a little surprising for Amazon since the company runs its own cloud gaming service called Luna. But in a statement, the e-commerce giant said the Microsoft partnership represents “an extension of Amazon’s commitment to bringing the best entertainment experiences to our customers, including top-tier cloud gaming options.”
In addition, Amazon says gamers can tune into its Fallout TV show, which adapts the popular video game franchise from the Microsoft-owned Bethesda Softworks.