Phil Spencer on xCloud : Xbox Game Pass Platinum, free TV sticks and a solution for iOS

[CliveLH]

Xbox streaming stick

"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," says Spencer. "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."

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A new Xbox Game Pass tier

Spencer also teases the potential for an "Xbox Game Pass Platinum" with guaranteed access to new Xbox hardware. Microsoft has been bundling Xbox subscriptions and hardware together in something called Xbox All Access, which includes access to Xbox Game Pass and the latest Xbox Series X and Series X consoles. It's a bundle that Spencer is obviously keen to experiment with in the future.

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On iOS :

"We have a good solution on iOS that I think it'll be coming kind of early next year, I feel good about the solution that we have," says Spencer.

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Xbox chief hints at TV streaming sticks for xCloud

Additional tiers of xCloud game streaming could be on the way

www.theverge.com

 

[Dan Thunder]

Xbox chief hints at TV streaming sticks for xCloud

Additional tiers of xCloud game streaming could be on the way

www.theverge.com

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My assumption is that this 'Edinburgh' (I think?) is basically a cheap, streaming only option. Makes sense that they'd develop a fire-stick equivalent. Bundle it with a controller and if you've got good enough internet connection you've got a GamePass machine for just £60-70.

 

[Perzeval]

I assumed that would be the case, though I compared it more to a PS vita tv.

 

[Windu]

The original interview that the Verge is sourcing is behind a paywall. Lame.

 

[Deleted member 13077]

Yeah, this just screams to me that we're likely to see Series 2X/2S by holiday 2023.

 

[nampad]

Good to have some ETA on iOS streaming, now give us some info about PC support.

The stick also sounds interesting. Wish my Fire TV 4k stick would support xCloud well enough but the sideloading seems to be quite stuttery.
Maybe MS could release a native app that runs better as well.

 

[Hendog1981]

So does having a TV streaming stick mean they are can take advantage of 6 billion devices instead of 3 billion 😂.

 

[SuikerBrood]

I'm interested in a streaming stick from Microsoft. Do hope it comes with some media apps too.

 

[Desmond]

The Bethesda news makes me seriously consider a jump back into the Xbox ecosystem, would a streaming stick be the best option i wonder lol

 

[fourfourfun]

Streaming Stick please. I'm waiting for ANYBODY to do a solution for Fire Stick 4K. At this stage, Amazon's effort will come to my area first.

 

[Shola Akinnuso]

I've got to give Phil some credit. I didn't agree with MS plan about completely abandoning Kinect 2.0 or VR in some fashion, but this direction that MS has chosen is something that has not only been in conversation since the Keighley Bonus Round days, but is also an incredibly powerful move that could change the gaming landscape. Like...forever.

I don't think that's hyperbole.

MS has quadrupled down on scaling the affordability of gaming. They're removing the barriers of entry all round. The Gamepass/Gamestop/Console-on-Credit/Studio Ownership on Multiplatform/revenue based on MAU is the looooong chess game that, if effective, is pretty damn hard to beat.

I keep remembering when MS started releasing games on iOS years ago and began the early conversations about reinforcing their software side again. I knew something was happening, but I didn't predict this whole picture coming into focus.

Bravo.

 

[Deception]

I'd buy an Xbox streaming stick in a heartbeat especially if it came with media apps.

 

[mocoworm]

This is great news. More choice is always good.

 

[Ozorov]

Yeah, this just screams to me that we're likely to see Series 2X/2S by holiday 2023.

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How so?

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

If the streaming sticks runs apps, I'd get one as a media player 100%

Sounds like their iOS solution might be a web app which kinda sucks

 

[Adrifi]

Yeah, this just screams to me that we're likely to see Series 2X/2S by holiday 2023.

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Why?

 

[Trup1aya]

So does having a TV streaming stick mean they are can take advantage of 6 billion devices instead of 3 billion 😂.

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TVs are already one of the primary devices they've been targeting... they want to be on your TV, pc screen or mobile device.

 

[Iucidium]

If the streaming sticks runs apps, I'd get one as a media player 100%

Sounds like their iOS solution might be a web app which kinda sucks

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But Jobs heralded HTML5.

 

[Eroke]

https://www.mobilescout.com/microso...oft-Xbox-streaming-stick-Hobart-canceled.html

hmm..

is this Project Hobart ?

 

[unicornKnight]

How so?

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Why?

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He probably means that this way people will continue paying for the "platinum" game pass.

I'd expect a hardware in 3 or 4 years anyway.

 

[Amnixia]

Yeah the workaround was known for iOS. They are copying Amazon.

Hopefully this won't lead to Apple locking down Safari.

 

[Deleted member 68874]

Looking forward to using my Platinum membership to buy a Xbox compatible VR headset right Phil?

 

[Deleted member 13077]

How so?

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Mainly because having a higher tier for subscription for access to new hardware seems a bit redundant if the refresh isn't going to be fairly frequent.

We know this is a strategy MS want to pursue, it's no secret they want to be doing incremental upgrades, so 2 years seems pretty much the ideal timeframe, especially given that's already the duration of All Access.

 

[Noble]

The Bethesda news makes me seriously consider a jump back into the Xbox ecosystem, would a streaming stick be the best option i wonder lol

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Once they switch those server blades, yea, it could be great.

 

[Ozorov]

Mainly because having a higher tier for subscription for access to new hardware seems a bit redundant if the refresh isn't going to be fairly frequent.

We know this is a strategy MS want to pursue, it's no secret they want to be doing incremental upgrades, so 2 years seems pretty much the ideal timeframe, especially given that's already the duration of All Access.

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Fair points. Maybe I will wait for it then

 

[jesu]

A streaming stick for the bedroom would be cool.

 

[Level 7 Boss]

They need to make Xcloud more accessible to the mainstream so a steaming stick makes sense.

Amazon already have this in place so Microsoft needs to make this play.

 

[firstseeker]

I'm curious if Phil Spencer being so open
with their plans and time frames helps Microsoft rivals. Does Google, Amazon and Sony constantly give out such information on a regular basis?

 

[12Danny123]

I'm curious if Phil Spencer being so open
with their plans and time frames helps Microsoft rivals. Does Google, Amazon and Sony constantly give out such information on a regular basis?

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Amazon, Google and especially Sony are pretty behind MS.

 

[TheGhost]

I'm curious if Phil Spencer being so open
with their plans and time frames helps Microsoft rivals. Does Google, Amazon and Sony constantly give out such information on a regular basis?

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Microsoft is so far ahead of them in regards to having an actual service does it really matter?

 

[Deleted member 13077]

Fair points. Maybe I will wait for it then

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Yeah, it's the main reason I just don't see the value in the Series X right now. Most of Microsoft's big first party hitters are 2 or 3 years away, and right now I'm convinced by the time they drop there will be an Xbox better equipped to make the most of them than the Series X.

 

[Delusibeta]

https://www.mobilescout.com/microso...oft-Xbox-streaming-stick-Hobart-canceled.html

hmm..

is this Project Hobart ?

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November 2016

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No.

 

[Perseus]

Apple will just block them, Microsoft as usual wants everything by giving nothing. And I am against streaming services and Microsoft's view of the future. Handing them so much control over pricing by destroying retail is bad in my book. And no, the GameStop deal just serves Microsoft's goal to promote their digital ecosystem, once they get what they want MS will hang GameStop out to dry.

 

[TheGhost]

Yeah, this just screams to me that we're likely to see Series 2X/2S by holiday 2023.

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More so screams a disc-less series x first

 

[Glimpse_Dog]

Yeah, this just screams to me that we're likely to see Series 2X/2S by holiday 2023.

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I actually have no problem with faster iterations. Every 24 months would mean I would jump in every 2nd iteration (4 years - which is about the point I feel hardware starts getting long in the tooth).

 

[tzare]

Still waiting for that 1080p upgrade. He always promises a lot but it is always TBA.
Just release an app for android TV and smart tvs. It can't be that difficult.

 

[Hendog1981]

I'm curious if Phil Spencer being so open
with their plans and time frames helps Microsoft rivals. Does Google, Amazon and Sony constantly give out such information on a regular basis?

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Confidence

Microsoft really is in the overall better position than any other company.

 

[Deleted member 13077]

More so screams a disc-less series x first

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Seems crazy they didn't offer that as a $399 option in the first place, although launching with 3 skus would maybe be overkill.

I actually have no problem with faster iterations. Every 24 months would mean I would jump in every 2nd iteration (4 years - which is about the point I feel hardware starts getting long in the tooth).

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Yeah, on an all access type plan I'd be happy with that too, so long as the software made the upgrade worthwhile.

 

[firstseeker]

Microsoft is so far ahead of them in regards to having an actual service does it really matter?

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Maybe, but keeping your competition in the dark of what are just ideas and actual concrete plans would be a better strategy.

 

[TheGhost]

Maybe, but keeping your competition in the dark of what are just ideas and actual concrete plans would be a better strategy.

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It's no brainer decisions that the average fan already guessed. Of course it was going to be some Roku/firestick set up.

Probably end up as a smart tv app as well

 

[AllBizness]

Apple will just block them, Microsoft as usual wants everything by giving nothing. And I am against streaming services and Microsoft's view of the future. Handing them so much control over pricing by destroying retail is bad in my book. And no, the GameStop deal just serves Microsoft's goal to promote their digital ecosystem, once they get what they want MS will hang GameStop out to dry.

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Nah this is a game changer I'd buy it in a heartbeat as I dont need to buy expensive hardware to play Xbox games. No PC purchase or Xbox required. Sign me up.

 

[GooberDooberCBC]

They just keep expanding the options that you have to play in their ecosystem. I think its a stretch but it may give some credence to the fact that expanding their ecosystem will come with additional requirements for content, which makes my brain just think about possibly an additional studio acquisition within the next 365 days. Definitely don't think anything can top Bethesda so a smaller studio would make some sense.

 

[12Danny123]

Maybe, but keeping your competition in the dark of what are just ideas and actual concrete plans would be a better strategy.

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It's not like Sony, Amazon and Google will magically catchup to MS in 6 months time.

 

[jelly]

Streaming stick would be ace and also great if you could stream to another TV as well as xcloud.

 

[Don Dada]

The streaming stick will launch once they have upgraded the servers to Series X blades and the performance will be much better. Hopefully it continues to be part of the GPU bundle and the price doesn't change.

 

[Pryme]

Apple will just block them

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Apple can't block them using a web app, like Amazon is doing with Luna.

Microsoft as usual wants everything by giving nothing.

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I'm perfectly happy with them not giving in to Apple and making an app per xCloud game. No sane person wants this.

And I am against streaming services and Microsoft's view of the future.

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Microsoft view of the future? That's a view shared by Microsoft, Sony, amazon, Facebook and Google.

How can you be 'against streaming' when it's an option? That's a weird as me being against puzzle games since I don't play them.

Handing them so much control over pricing by destroying retail is bad in my book.

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Gamepass and xCloud aren't 'destroying retail'.

How exactly does xCloud on xbox destroy retail sales for PS5 and Nintendo switch games ?

And no, the GameStop deal just serves Microsoft's goal to promote their digital ecosystem, once they get what they want MS will hang GameStop out to dry.

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GameStop is a pretty sizable customer for Windows, office and azure. Additionally, they still need console sales.

There no logic in an assumption that MS will 'hang GameStop out to fry.

 

[Deleted member 68874]

Apple will just block them, Microsoft as usual wants everything by giving nothing. And I am against streaming services and Microsoft's view of the future. Handing them so much control over pricing by destroying retail is bad in my book. And no, the GameStop deal just serves Microsoft's goal to promote their digital ecosystem, once they get what they want MS will hang GameStop out to dry.

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I mean MS is doing more for Gamestop than what Google, Amazon, Nintendo, Apple and Sony are doing.

 

[Consequence]

Maybe, but keeping your competition in the dark of what are just ideas and actual concrete plans would be a better strategy.

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This is system wars mentality. How does being in the dark benefit you as a consumer? If the competition knows sooner, they can compete sooner. Better for you.

 

[GooberDooberCBC]

This is system wars mentality. How does being in the dark benefit you as a consumer? If the competition knows sooner, they can compete sooner. Better for you.

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Yeah, its interesting to see differing opinions on when companies should and should not give you information lol. I always thought more transparency is good for the consumer as long as its truthful. Others may see it from a perspective of not giving information to their competition but even so, your competition would still need to find innovative ways to make what you have in mind to become fruitful (not to say that transparency has always been helpful to those giving out the information).

 

[Perzeval]

"This deal was not done to take games away from another player base like that. Nowhere in the documentation that we put together was: 'How do we keep other players from playing these games?' We want more people to be able to play games, not fewer people to be able to go play games."

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