Following Microsoft’s announcement of supporting Amazon Fire TV Stick to play games through Xbox Cloud Gaming, by releasing the Xbox app on the Fire OS operating system, Amazon has jumped on board by offering a bundle that includes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Xbox Wireless Controller for $78.99 (approximately 2,850 baht). Additionally, they are throwing in a free 1-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate valued at $19.99 for those who are new to Game Pass.
Microsoft’s direction post-announcement is crystal clear – they no longer want to engage in the console wars (because let’s face it, they lost to Sony). Instead, they are focusing on capturing the Game Pass market across consoles, PC, and cloud gaming without the need for separate console hardware. The bundled package, ready to play games, priced under $80 is certainly more cost-effective than purchasing a console outright (the cheapest being the Xbox Series S at $299).
Previously, Microsoft had plans for a hardware TV attachment for cloud gaming under the codename Keystone, which was ultimately scrapped in favor of partnering with Amazon, who has a customer base with the Fire TV. This partnership marks a strategic move by Microsoft to tap into a wider audience that encompasses both Fire TV and Xbox Cloud Gaming users.
TLDR: Amazon is now offering a bundle including an Xbox controller, Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and Fire TV stick for seamless gaming experience without the need for a console. Microsoft’s shift towards cloud gaming integration aims to attract more users at a fraction of the cost of traditional consoles.
Leave a Comment