Xbox and LG Entertainment have partnered to bring Xbox video games directly to smart TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. No Xbox console required.
The Xbox app will operate just like Netflix or Disney+ — a streaming app with all the Xbox Game Pass digital games, from Call of Duty to Hogwarts Legacy.
The app will be part of LG’s Gaming Portal, powered by webOS. The Gaming Portal includes cloud gaming apps as well as built-in webOS app games playable with the TV remote control.
“Our partnership with LG will help players easily discover and play games through the new Gaming Portal on LG Smart TVs,” said Lori Wright, Corporate Vice President of Xbox. “We’re fortunate to have a great partner in LG who will bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players, letting new and longtime Xbox’ers find their favorite games and play with friends across screens.”
In all my years writing about gaming, this may be the first time I’ve heard an official spokeperson say “Xbox’ers.”
This partnership reflects Microsoft’s continual focus on Game Pass and streaming in addition to the traditional console experience. Cloud gaming can be a mixed bag, however. With a solid and reliable internet connection, most gamers can play most single player games just fine. But multiplayer games, especially competitive multiplayer, suffer from any latency issues.
Will cloud gaming overtake console gaming some day? Quite possibly. But at least for now, it’s a great way to let your kids play console games without having to purchase a second console or rely on hand-me-downs.
