Streaming-only Xbox console rumors squashed by Microsoft

Contrary to rumors, Microsoft shouldn’t be engaged on a streaming-only Xbox console. In an interview with Gamespot, Microsoft’s govt VP of Gaming Phil Spencer set the file straight: the corporate isn’t engaged on a streaming-only Xbox console in the intervening time.

After the Redmond firm introduced final yr that it’s engaged on a recreation streaming expertise (generally known as xCloud), in addition to new recreation consoles, Spencer stated that Xbox followers could have taken that to imply {that a} streaming console is within the works. 

The May 2019 launch of the disc-less Xbox One S All-Digital Edition solely fueled these rumors additional. However, whereas this new console doesn’t play bodily disc, it does require for video games to be downloaded earlier than you’ll be able to play them.

We’re not that near full-time recreation streaming but

The excellent news is that Microsoft’s gaming division remains to be laborious at work in making that console-quality recreation streaming service a actuality. It’s certainly full steam forward for this game-streaming expertise.

According to Spencer, “We aren’t engaged on a streaming-only console proper now. We are trying on the telephone in your pocket because the vacation spot so that you can stream, and the console that we now have means that you can play the video games domestically.”

Dubbed Project xCloud, this expertise is meant to enrich Microsoft’s console {hardware} and provides players the power to make the most of Xbox performance by means of their different gadgets, maybe with as little lag as doable. Currently in beta testing on the firm, Project xCloud might be in public beta for choose markets as early as September and to the remainder of the gaming world by 2020.

As for whether or not or not a streaming-only Xbox console may nonetheless be within the stars, who is aware of? With the course Microsoft is taking, a streaming-only console might nonetheless occur sometime. Although, if this recreation streaming service proves to be a hit, we most likely received’t want one.