Microsoft is working on an Xbox streaming stick and TV app

By Andrew Zucosky June 10, 2021

Microsoft announced that it is working with TV manufacturers to allow the Xbox app to work on the TVs themselves, without the need for a console. Using its xCloud technology, Microsoft is bringing the Xbox Game Pass service to gamers who don’t have their PC or console nearby or do not even own one.

Microsoft is working with TV manufacturers around the world to allow televisions with internet access to stream games from the Xbox app. Smart TVs will only require a controller or a gamepad to play the 100-plus games that can be found on Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft also stated that it is currently working on an Xbox app plug-in device, like a streaming stick, for TVs that do not have Smart TV infrastructure. That means players will not have to upgrade their TV or own a console to access Xbox games.

Little is still known about when Microsoft will be rolling out its Xbox app onto Smart TVs or when it will release the plug-in device for older TVs. Xbox chief Phil Spencer hinted at both of these new means of playing Xbox games in 2020, and we are now just seeing confirmation. There’s currently no release window or price set.

Xbox has stated that its E3 presentation will mainly focus on upcoming games so it is unlikely that we will hear new information about Xbox TV integration. While this is a whole new path for Xbox, and gaming in your living room in general, Xbox is still committed to creating consoles in the future.

Topics

Andrew has been playing video games since he was a small boy, and he finally got good at them like a week ago. He has been in…

Gaming

New Xbox Game Pass additions are looking quite wholesome

A character flies on a bird in Flock.

Xbox Game Pass looks a bit quiet for the rest of July, but looks can be deceiving. Three indies, a long-awaited action RPG, and a gorgeous genre mash-up are just some of the games that'll soon be available. However, Xbox is only announcing additions up to July 19.

There are some comforting games at the top of the list. First, we have Flock, an indie title that combines the joys of birdwatching and the fun of flying on the back of a giant bird (we assume it's fun). Either way, section editor Giovanni Colantonio called it a "pleasant expedition to a colorful world that might help you better appreciate your own," and it's out now.

Gaming

Every summer 2024 gaming showcase: full schedule and stream recaps

Geoff Keighley shows a slide showing the top 10 selling Steam Games of 2024.

This summer, we're living in a brave new world. E3 is officially dead -- for real this time. That means there's a vacuum to be filled as publishers still look to showcase their games during high-profile events. There's both good news and bad news for anyone who looks forward to E3 season. The good news? Summer Game Fest is filling that gap, alongside several streams that'll orbit around it. The bad news? Keeping track of it all is a huge pain.

Over the past few months, we've seen shows from Sony, Xbox, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and more game companies. To help make your life a little easier, we've rounded them up in one place. We'll keep this article updated throughout the summer, adding in the VODs of all the streams once they air, so check back in from now until September so you don't miss a single show.
State of Play: May 30
State of Play | May 30, 2024 | [English]

Gaming

Is Xbox Game Pass really worth it anymore?

Games on Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass is changing. On Tuesday night, Microsoft quietly announced that it was retooling its game subscription service. The change would bring new tiers, including one that doesn't feature "day one" releases, and a price hike to the Ultimate tier. Naturally, fans didn't take the news well. The decision has already been dissected by players who theorize that the end of Xbox's subscription service is nigh -- or at least that it's turning into a bum deal.

Are players overreacting over a couple of dollars or is there legitimacy to the doomsaying? It's likely a bit of both, but there's no doubt that Xbox Game Pass' value wanes with the new change. The question is whether or not it's still a good deal even if it's a pricier one. That's where things get complicated. What used to be a no-brainer for all Xbox players now feels like its geared toward a narrower audience. And I know for sure that I'm not the target anymore.
Is Xbox Game Pass worth it?
Let's recap what exactly is changing on Xbox's service. For starters, Xbox Game Pass for Console is going away for new subscribers. That will more or less be replaced by Xbox Game Pass Standard, a new tier that is missing one key perk: It will not feature "day one" games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Each remaining tier is getting a price hike. Xbox Game Pass PC will go from $10 to $12 per month, while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will jump from $17 to $20 per month. Those are the tiers players will need to subscribe to in order to get "day one" games.