Microsoft is launching a couple of brand new Xbox consoles next month, but they may just be the start of new hardware carrying the Xbox logo. Soon we could also have a streaming stick dedicated to xCloud gaming.
As The Verge reports, during an interview with Stratechery, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has suggested streaming sticks may be part of the future of game streaming using xCloud.
"I think you’re going to see lower priced hardware as part of our ecosystem when you think about streaming sticks and other things that somebody might want to just go plug into their TV and go play via xCloud," Spencer explained. "You could imagine us even having something that we just included in the Game Pass subscription that gave you an ability to stream xCloud games to your television and buying the controller."
This is by no means a new idea. Google already offers its own version of such a setup using a Chromecast Ultra, a Bluetooth or USB controller, and a Stadia subscription. It would be an easy jump for Microsoft to make, bundling together an Xbox-branded streaming stick, an Xbox One controller, and an xCloud game subscription. If it was priced around $100 including a free month of xCloud access, it could prove extremely popular.
Microsoft already offers a subscription service called Xbox All Access, which gets you one of the latest Xbox consoles, but also access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate over a two-year subscription for less than you'd pay buying them separately. However, Spencer also suggested that an "Xbox Game Pass Platinum" tier is being considered, which would entitle you to the latest Xbox hardware while a subscription remained active. No futher details were forthcoming, though, suggesting it's just an idea for now.