Xbox Is Reportedly Building A Streaming Stick To Tackle Low Console Supply

Photo 230451034 © 777ers | Dreamstime.com

As video gaming giants grapple with console supply issues caused by chip shortages and shipping problems, Microsoft appears to be thinking out of the traditional (X)box in favor of hardware that’s much more lightweight and compact.

A new report by VentureBeat details that the tech behemoth is set to launch an Xbox streaming stick in a matter of 12 months. The gadget is part of the company’s vision to make gaming accessible to all, opening the Xbox experience to families who might not be able to obtain a console.

As outlined by the news outlet’s reporter Jeff Grubb, the Xbox stick looks and acts like an Amazon Fire Stick or Roku Puck. It could be plugged into a television’s HDMI port to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming service, where users can access a library of games, television shows, and movies.

Samsung TV owners have more to gain from this cloud service, as the report notes that Microsoft and Samsung have designed a game-streaming app to be installed within those sets. This means users won’t have to purchase the streaming stick to get a hold of Xbox’s offerings.

All told, the tiny Xbox device should be better suited for casual players, since cloud-based games tend to have more lag than those loaded from a powerful console. Considering this, Microsoft would have a greater chance of encouraging adoption by pricing the streaming stick much more affordably than the usual Xbox hardware.

[via BGR, Gizmodo, VentureBeat, cover photo 230451034 © 777ers | Dreamstime.com]