For a few years now, rumors have been swirling that Microsoft is working on a dedicated game streaming device codenamed Keystone. The company officially announced the device last year.
But it never really materialized for some reason.
And now, we know why.
That is because the company has not abandoned Xbox Keystone but wants to take its time perfecting it. As confirmed in a statement by a Microsoft spokesperson, the device is in the works with some changes that pivoted the project away from its current iteration.
“Our vision for Xbox Cloud Gaming is unwavering, our goal is to enable people to play the games they want, on the devices they want, anywhere they want. As announced last year, we’ve been working on a game-streaming device, codename Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console.
As part of any technical journey, we are constantly evaluating our efforts, reviewing our learnings, and ensuring we are bringing value to our customers. We have made the decision to pivot away from the current iteration of the Keystone device. We will take our learnings and refocus our efforts on a new approach that will allow us to deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players around the world in the future.”
Sound strategy.
There are even some renders made by a fan that hint at what it might look like:
Redmond is pursuing the idea of giving users a cheap device for streaming games from the cloud, what with its recent revelation that more than 10 million gamers use Xbox Cloud Streaming to play console games on smartphones, tablets, computers, and, of course, consoles.
The service is already available on multiple platforms and devices like Windows, Android, iOS, and Xbox.
The next step seems to be making it available on an affordably dedicated device, which will make the service even more accessible to the masses.
Word is that Keystore might hit store shelves with a stripped version of either Windows or Xbox operating system. This approach will enable Microsoft to bundle the device with its services like Movies and TV.
No word yet on when the company plans to announce or expects to ship this device. But with the company already spending years designing and refining Keystone, what’s a little more wait to ensure that it launches with a solid product?
