Microsoft really is moving in a different direction to its two main rivals in the video game sector after the company confirmed an Xbox streaming device is in development.
Earlier this month it was rumored that Microsoft is working on a device that would allow access to Xbox games by streaming them to a TV. The entire gaming experience would be streamed, with the expensive console hardware replaced by a cheap dongle, an Xbox Game Pass subscription, and a fast internet connection.
Now, as Windows Central reports, Microsoft has confirmed the rumor for the streaming device which is codenamed “Keystone.” In a statement, a Microsoft spokesperson said:
“Our vision for Xbox Cloud Gaming is unwavering, our goal is to enable people to play the games they want, on the devices they want, anywhere they want. As announced last year, we’ve been working on a game-streaming device, codename Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console.”
Keystone is thought to have been in development for a couple of years already, but Microsoft is far from being happy with the device. The spokesperson goes on to say, “We have made the decision to pivot away from the current iteration of the Keystone device. We will take our learnings and refocus our efforts on a new approach that will allow us to deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players around the world in the future.”
It’s unclear what would cause Microsoft to pivot the design, especially seeing as streaming devices are relatively simple pieces of hardware. However, Windows Central speculates it could be more to do with the software running on Keystone. Rather than relying on Android, Microsoft could be attempting to create a slimmed-down version of Windows to run on the device so it controls the entire software stack.
Keystone will inevitably end up carrying the Xbox name, but don’t expect that to happen any time soon as Microsoft clearly isn’t anywhere near ready to launch an Xbox console replacement. And the funny thing is, when it does, it will have a whole new bunch of competitors in the form of Nvidia, Amazon, and Google who already operate game streaming services.
