Streaming services have begun to occupy the gaming scene in quite a big way. In the past few years, the gaming community has seen numerous video game streaming services be made available on various platforms, including Xbox Game Pass. Now, the head of Xbox has begun to tease the idea of not needing a console in order to utilize Xbox Game Pass.
As previously mentioned, video game streaming services are slowly but surely becoming a commonality amid the gaming industry. With so many different streaming services being offered, not just by video game publishers like Sony and Xbox but also companies like Google and Amazon — the latter of which launched Amazon Luna last month, it's amazing how far this subset of the industry has progressed. Although, now it seems like Xbox might be taking things an extra step forward.
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, discussed in a recent interview how video game streaming services could be easily more accessible. Since Xbox Game Pass and xCloud are in their purest forms, nothing more than streaming services, Spencer discussed how potentially, users could just plug a streaming stick into their TV, similar to the Amazon Fire Stick, and play all the games available on those services.
It is important to note that Spencer was largely speaking in hypotheticals and never outright confirmed that Microsoft was working on any kind of technology with that capability. Though, the sentiment of the idea is quite groundbreaking. Imagine users just plugging a stick into their TV and being able to play any game they wanted through Xbox Game Pass or xCloud. Technology like that could iron out an entirely new industry that may even rival video game consoles.
In any case, it will be interesting to see where video game streaming services go from here and whether or not technology will progress to that point. Admittedly, if video game streaming sticks started to make their way into circulation, it would definitely be much more cost-effective for most consumers. The Amazon Fire Stick currently costs a fraction of what an Xbox Series X or a PS5 and even with the likely added cost of having to purchase controllers, it still wouldn't cost nearly as much comparatively.
Having said all this, it's important to note once again that Spencer or anyone else for that matter hasn't confirmed anything yet. As of right now, video game streaming services like Google Stadia, PS Now, and Xbox Game Pass are only available through digital means. Perhaps this is something the gaming community will see a few years from now.
Source: IGN