The next Xbox could be a Project xCloud TV streaming stick

We know the Xbox Series X and S are still a couple of weeks away from launching, but that’s not enough for us. We’re insatiable consumers and we always need more. What comes after the Xbox Series X?

According to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, it could be TV streaming sticks.

Spencer recently told Stratechery (via The Verge) that we are “going to see lower priced hardware as part of [Xbox’s] ecosystem,” especially when it comes to getting Project xCloud streaming into people’s homes. Specifically, Spencer mentioned “streaming sticks and other things that somebody might want to just go plug into their TV and go play via xCloud.”

Game Pass might also be getting different tiers of subscription, including a “Game Pass Platinum,” which would work similarly to All Access while guaranteeing customers the opportunity to get whatever new hardware launches. This could include the xCloud TV stick, a controller, and a subscription to Game Pass.

While the promise of xCloud is that you can play Xbox games anywhere, getting a TV stick and a subscription to xCloud might be a more affordable solution for next-gen gaming. And with Stadia somewhat struggling to get a foothold on the market due in part to its weaker games library, xCloud already has its Game Pass library to offer players.

Project xCloud is already available on Android phones, but Xbox has plans on expanding it in 2021. First, it recently partnered with Samsung, meaning we can expect it on Samsung devices in the near future. There’s also an apparent workaround for iOS devices that’s “coming kind of early next year,” Spencer said.