Microsoft exec says Xbox internet-based game streaming could arrive within three years

Similar to the rest of the tech giant’s operations, it looks like Microsoft could be looking to pivot its Xbox brand to focus on software and services.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s head of all things Xbox, explained that the company is focusing on game sales and subscriptions over hardware sales.

“Now, players are playing the games across every device and we’re connecting those players across all of those devices,” said Spencer in the Bloomberg interview. “Obviously for us, the console is an important part there… but connecting to gamers wherever they are is the vision of Microsoft around what we’re doing in gaming.”

This means that it’s possible that we could be playing Xbox games on other devices in the near future. Sony already offers a pricey game streaming service called PlayStation Now that allows users to stream a relatively wide selection of games.

Bloomberg reports that Spencer expects to reveal the service at some point within the next three years. An internet-based game streaming platform was reportedly tested internally at Microsoft a few years ago, but the price of operating the platform at the level required to make it viable, wasn’t cost effective, according to Spencer. In the interview, the head of Xbox also discusses how important solid first-party games are to the future of the Xbox brand.

“Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths,” said Spencer. “We haven’t always invested at the same level. We’ve gone through ups and downs in the investment.”

Despite this statement, last year Microsoft cancelled a number of exclusive Xbox One titles, including Scalebound and Fable Legends.

The Xbox One X, Microsoft’s recently launched mid-generation console update, is available now. For more information about the console, check out my full review.

Source: Bloomberg