Microsoft shared a lot of information about its future strategies for Xbox cloud gaming and Xbox Game Pass today, revealing that it is working on bringing Xbox services to displays without needing extra hardware, new Game Pass variants and support for more regions, and even a game streaming device for TVs, among others.
Another interesting tidbit shared in this information dump was the goal it is trying to meet regarding Xbox game releases, which is at least one first-party game per quarter. As with all games coming out from these studios, they will be available on day one on Xbox Game Pass too.
Compared to Sony"s offerings, the lack of high-profile experiences utilizing new IPs has been a rough point for Xbox for some time now. But with the acquisition of ZeniMax Media going through, the Xbox gaming division now has 23 game development studios under its umbrella. Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty is hopeful about ramping up the game output, even though not every project will see the light of day:
"Games take up to four or five years to make. The reality is that not every project we start will make it to launch. But if you add all that up, that"s how we"ve gotten to our state today, with two dozen studios making games across a variety of genres. And we know that a thriving entertainment service needs a consistent and exciting flow of new content so our portfolio will continue to grow as our service grows."
Microsoft will be hosting the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 this Sunday, 13 June, at 10 AM PT. At the event, we will get to see the current state of announced games, like Halo Infinite and Starfield, as well as premiers of even new exclusives. Going by previous showcases, there may even be more acquisition announcements being readied.