Could Keystone be the keystone of Microsoft’s cloud gaming plans?
Microsoft’s long-in-the-works xCloud streaming device is going through some changes, as reported by Windows Central. The company first announced the dedicated streaming dongle in June 2021, but in a statement given to Windows Central, the company said it has pivoted from the “current iteration” of the device, which it says is codenamed Keystone.
Here is Microsoft’s full statement shared with Windows Central:
It’s unclear what these changes might be, and Microsoft didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. But there’s a lot of promise for a dedicated Xbox streaming device. While the Xbox Series X has been more readily available than the PS5, it’s still not the easiest console to come by, and it costs hundreds of dollars. A (presumably) cheaper streaming stick might be a more affordable way for many to check out the games Microsoft offers via the cloud — including, as of this month, Epic Games’ Fortnite.
And Microsoft isn’t just working on a streaming device; it has an Xbox app for TVs in the works as well. In November 2020, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer told The Kupon4U that “I think you’re going to see that in the next 12 months,” and while the company has missed that deadline, VentureBeat reported on May 6th that an Xbox game streaming app for Samsung smart TVs “should debut within the next 12 months.” VentureBeat said the streaming device is set for sometime in the next 12 months, too.
While we don’t know exactly when Microsoft plans to share more about these projects, it does have a big showcase set for June 12th.
