Microsoft is working on the ‘Keystone’ streaming box that turns your TV into an Xbox

On May 27, 2022By Garmin Philip

If the Game Pass comes natively for Smart TVs, you will only need a controller in the future.

A streaming box could also be plugged into an HDMI port of a monitor without any problems.

Microsoft hasn’t limited its games and streaming offerings to just Xbox consoles and PCs for a long time. Thanks to Game Pass and xCloud, it’s currently also possible to play “big” games on your smartphone or tablet.

And the next step is obviously not too far away. A few weeks ago, Venturebeat published a report that Microsoft was already working on two Game Pass solutions for smart TVs – a dedicated streaming box similar to a Fire Stick or Apple TV, and a Smart TV app. Both solutions allow access to Game Pass titles, which you can then play directly on your TV without Xbox hardware.

And a Microsoft spokesman now has such a streaming box versus Windows Central again clearly confirmed. Specifically it says:

“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, wherever they want. As announced last year, we been working on a game streaming device, codenamed Keystone, that plugs into any TV or monitor without the need for a console.”

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/exclusive-microsoft-continues-to-iterate-on-an-xbox-cloud-streaming-stick-codenamed-keystone

Development is still ongoing, no timely announcement in sight

However, the development status of the device was evaluated several times and deviated from the current version of Keystone in order to develop a new iteration.

What does that mean? Even if the will is there to bring such a device onto the market, the development does not seem to be complete yet. A prompt unveiling – for example at the Microsoft/Bethesda showcase – or even publication should not be expected, instead this will probably take place next year at the earliest, which in turn would correspond to the Venturebeat report.

More on Xbox Game Pass/Streaming:

Editorial opinion

Xbox games without Xbox: Thanks to Microsoft’s “Play Anywhere” philosophy and its implementation on mobile devices, this is no longer a pipe dream. The fact that Microsoft is now aiming to bring Game Pass and Co. to smart TVs and monitors is just the next, completely logical step. Because an app or streaming box lowers the entry barriers for the Microsoft games ecosystem enormously.

All you would need in the future would be the appropriate box or app, a Microsoft account and a controller. And casual gamers in particular will probably not miss a dedicated console at all – assuming that the internet is fast enough. Anyway, I’m excited to see what Keystone will look like in the end. And above all, what the thing costs.

Reference-www.gamepro.de