In a recent interview, Microsoft's Executive VP of Gaming Phil Spencer offered up his thoughts on a number of topics related to gaming, Xbox, and Microsoft's future plans. He was asked to clarify the situation regarding the delay of Halo Infinite, but when the topic switched to the future plans for Microsoft, Spencer floated the idea of an Xbox App as a possibility down the road.
The Xbox Series X and S have been hot ticket items going into this holiday season, with demand high and supply limited. The idea to launch two consoles in their next-gen lineup was initially met with hesitation at Microsoft, but Spencer said the reason behind the two consoles was to capture different players through the Series S, allowing more customers a chance to experience next-gen at an affordable price. A gaming app of some sort would certainly reach a different audience for Microsoft.
When asked by The Verge about what the future holds, Spencer expands on the idea of an app for Microsoft gaming, digging into the possibility of an Xbox App that could run on Smart TVs. He said he sees it as something that could be possible within the next 12 months.
When considering what such a service might look like, Spencer talks about xCloud, the Microsoft version of Google Stadia, and creating a hybrid environment of cloud services coupled with strong local computing capability. Such an environment could take the form of an app. Spencer said, "TV is really more of a game console stuffed behind a screen" with apps, Bluetooth, and streaming capabilities now common. The idea that gaming could go beyond just consoles falls in line with previous interviews Spencer has given.
Spencer is hesitant to say that such an app would eliminate the need for consoles to exist, particularly as consoles have expanded their own role to include video streaming and other multimedia functions themselves. Xbox Series X will be featuring Apple TV for the first time on a Microsoft console, so it seems clear the strategy is to make the console a hub for all activity.
Going with the more cloud-based, possibly app-oriented approach does feel like a potential future for gaming, with Google Stadia offering a roadmap that extends to 2023. While the service has had hiccups along the way, it could turn out greater down the line. Spencer doesn't discount the potential for an app-based gaming future, so fans will have to wait and see where Xbox decides to go.
Source: The Verge