Ahead of Microsoft’s big Xbox E3 showcase, the company has revealed some interesting new information on their plans for Xbox as a whole. The primary factor here is Xbox Game Pass, where Microsoft has been trying to get as many users as possible, and that’s only about to increase by a huge factor if its plans for Smart TV integration goes smoothly.
In a new Xbox Wire post, Phil Spencer (head of Xbox) noted that they are working on bringing the Xbox gaming experience to smart TVs, the same way OTT services like Netflix are available on most TVs without a dedicated streaming device. That doesn’t mean that a dedicated Game Pass device isn’t out of the realm of possibility, as that was also officially confirmed. The following two points from the Xbox wire post make it all clear –
- Xbox is working with global TV manufacturers to embed the Xbox experience directly into internet-connected televisions with no extra hardware required except a controller.
- Xbox is building its own streaming devices for cloud gaming to reach gamers on any TV or monitor without the need for a console at all.
In the last couple of years, Xbox Game Pass has quickly risen to grab headlines and users alike. Microsoft claims that the service has accounted for nearly 80% of its gaming division’s revenue, and that’s not surprising when you factor in the nearly 18 million members on the platform. Pair that with Microsoft’s aggressive push to make Game Pass affordable, even bundling it with their consoles and locking buyers into a multi-year contract not unlike smartphone carriers, and you have a service beaming with huge potential.
A native app for Xbox Game Pass on smart TVs was a given, seeing as how similar services in the video streaming space have seen huge adoption following similar moves. As of right now, while there are some competitors in the game streaming/cloud-subscription space, Xbox Game Pass remains at the top providing the best value and flexibility to its members. The service also includes Micrsoft’s cloud streaming service xCloud which, while still unavailable in a lot of major territories, is showing some promising potential.
The Xbox-Bethesda showcase will take place on June 13, and you can check back on this space for our coverage of the entire event. For a clear look at this year’s E3 schedule, do check out our guide adjusted for India.