Phil Spencer: Keystone Streaming Device Is "Years Away", Pivoting To Samsung TVs Instead

CoolinInTheCut

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Despite Google announcing it will be shutting down Stadia, Xbox has already made significant steps forward in cloud gaming. The company is expected to make a big leap forward via the reveal of a device people will be able to use to stream Xbox games, but according to Phil Spencer, that project is still years away.

The device doesn't have an official name just yet but has been codenamed Keystone. That name first leaked when it was discovered on an internal Xbox list right below the codenames for previous consoles. As for when we might see Keystone, or learn anything new about it, that's probably going to be a while.

“Keystone was something that we were incubating internally. Late spring we pivoted to working with Samsung. I still have the prototype,” Spencer confirmed via Tom Warren. “Will we do a streaming device at some point? I expect we will, but it's years away.” Confirmation the prototype exists may confirm the small device spotted on Spencer's shelf was what Warren believed it to be after all.

The timeline also lines up regarding Samsung's inclusion. Even though Xbox still doesn't have a dedicated device people can buy to stream its games, there are a number of ways you can access Xbox's cloud gaming platform, and Samsung TVs are one of those ways. Samsung launched its first TVs capable of streaming Xbox games earlier this year. With that ability likely coming to more modern TV sets in the future, it seems Xbox saw that as the easier and quicker way to get its cloud service to more people for the time being.

Xbox isn't the only company pushing forward with its cloud gaming plans despite the demise of Stadia. Netflix has also announced plans to expand what is currently just a collection of mobile games to include bigger projects that will be available through TVs and laptops in the future via its own cloud gaming service.


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Gizmo_Duck

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Game streaming feels like the VR of the 90’s. It sounds good in theory but most people just don’t care about it with the current tech the way that it is
 

5n0man

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Game streaming feels like the VR of the 90’s. It sounds good in theory but most people just don’t care about it with the current tech the way that it is
The internet speed just isn't there in enough places for streaming to be a viable option for gaming.

The people who could benefit from the money saved probably can't afford the type of internet required for a decent experience, and the people with 150gb fiber optics internet connections can probably afford to spend more to play locally. I don't even know the market for these streaming devices.
 
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Eh, you're better off having it working on a smart tv than a device on it own. The only way they device could work if you sell it for cheap because why would the average consumer choose xbox streaming stick over a roku or chromecast?
 

Gizmo_Duck

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Full interview summary for anyone curious
-Spencer says regulatory scrutiny has been fair and honest. Discussions around acquisition this size is warranted.
-COD will remain on other platforms including PS and Switch and many different screens.
-ABK deal is really about mobile.
-Call of Duty will continue to ship on PlayStation "as long as that makes sense....tech is always in transition".
-Asked why future games such as Elder Scrolls will be exclusive to Game Pass. Avoided the question and started talking about "new exclusive franchises" and Call of Duty being like Minecraft.
-Mobile controlled by Google and Apple. Mobile is imperative for MS business. Break up the duopoly.
-Consoles being sold at a loss justified 30% fee for games sold there versus phones which are sold at a profit.
-Apple throwing out Fornite from iPhone shows the power of the largest company in mobile.
-Fortnite available on iOS via MS browser. MS not able to monetize Android app.
-Cloud is an option rather than the only way to play such as with Stadia.
-20 million have tried xCloud.
-Re: Keystone. Pivoted to Samsung TV streaming app. Steaming device like Keystone is years away.
-Supply chain has improved, especially for XSS. Ample supply. XSX will have supply issues in certain markets. Problem is much as demand as supply.
-Cost of creating games has gone up. Talks up Game Pass. Will have to raise prices on certain things. Not this holiday.
-Game Pass "incredible growth on PC". 130-140% YOY growth on PC. Console growth slowed. "Reached everybody on console who wants to subscribe" at some point.
-Doesn't expect Game Pass to pass 15% of revenue.
-F2P is the largest gaming business model.
-Buying video games is far larger than Game Pass for Xbox.
-Game Pass is just a customer choice.
-Metaverse is a poorly built video game
-Metaverse looks like a meeting room. Basically, Spencer is describing Metaverse as inherently soulless.
-Metaverse is in early stages. Will evolve.
-Metaverse will not take off if VR device required.
-Metaverse is software led versus hardware led
-NFTs. Understands the gamer backlash. There are some benefits. DLC doesn't transfer to other platforms, for example. Digital economy should be more open. Remains to be seen if NFT is the enabler of that.
-Skillset of mobile developer is different from video game developer. Key aspect of ABK acquisition.
 
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