Microsoft confirms it’s taking a ‘new approach’ with its game streaming device | Engadget

Earlier this month, a rumor suggested that Microsoft might be almost ready to launch a Chromecast-like game streaming stick for its Xbox Cloud Gaming service. The company has now confirmed that such a device (codenamed Keystone) exists, but it may not come soon, according to a report from Windows Central.

“As announced last year, we’ve been working on a game-streaming device, codenamed Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console,” said a Microsoft spokesman. Windows Central. “We have made the decision to pivot away from the current iteration of the Keystone device. We will take our experience and focus our efforts on a new approach that will allow us to deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players around the world. in the future. “

Last year, Microsoft confirmed that they were making Xbox video game streaming sticks and baking the technology into Smart TVs. “We … develop standalone streaming devices that you can connect to a TV or monitor, so if you have a strong Internet connection, you can stream your Xbox experience,” the company said at the time.

Since Stadia did not inform the market as much as Google probably hoped, Microsoft may be taking stock of its own project. “As part of any technical journey, we are constantly evaluating our efforts, reviewing our experiences and ensuring that we bring value to our customers,” the spokesman said.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (née xCloud) has been rolled out to PCs, mobile devices and Xbox consoles as part of the $ 15 / month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription – though technically it’s still in beta almost a year after launch broadly. However, Stadia can run on Google’s relatively inexpensive Chromecast devices, plus NVIDIA Shield TV and several Smart TVs. Microsoft is obviously cautious about its own streaming device, so it does not look like a launch is in the near future after all.