It's no secret Microsoft is working on a successor to the Xbox One that will not have a physical optical drive. As such, players will only be able to play digital copies of their favourite titles – either via downloads, or streaming.
According to a new report from reliable Microsoft pundit Paul Thurrott, the Xbox One follow-up will be bundled with a gaming subscription to enable players to jump into the action as soon as they plug-in their brand-new console.
- Sony PS5 or Xbox Two: which will win the next-gen console war?
- Xbox One review: is the original Xbox One worth your money?
According to the report, players will have unlimited access to more than 100 titles from Microsoft. These do not need to be downloaded to the console itself – negating the need for a massive hard-drive. However, gamers will need a pretty serviceable broadband connection if they want to stream the latest blockbuster titles.
Players with a subscription to the Microsoft cloud-based streaming service will not only be able to stream games to their Xbox Two, but also to a tablet, smartphone and desktop PC. Since Microsoft's cloud handles all the heavy lifting for the games – it should be possible to play next-generation titles on older hardware as well, so you won't have to cough-up to upgrade all the devices in your life.
It's unclear how long the free trial bundled with the console will last. However, Thurrott says Microsoft will allow customers to order both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions when they purchase the disc-less console.
The high-end next-generation Xbox hardware, codenamed "Scarlett" inside the company, will also purportedly come bundled with subscription services – despite sporting an optical drive to play physical media, Thurrott adds.
The news comes as days after Microsoft purportedly handed a blank cheque to a number of prominent game studios to enable them to make the games of their "wildest dreams" for the upcoming Xbox hardware.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Sony has enjoyed a formidable run of success with the exclusive titles for its PS4 console, including Uncharted, Last Of Us, and God Of War. In response, Microsoft has spent the past couple of years buying up prominent game studios, including Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Obsidian, Inxile, Compulsion, and Playground.
If the rumours of Microsoft handing carte blanche to these studios are accurate, there could be some thrillingly original new titles headed for the upcoming streaming service for the Xbox.
Lead Image Credit: Rohit Choudhari / Unsplash
As a former Staff Writer for T3, Aaron writes about almost anything shiny and techie. When he’s not barking orders at Alexa-powered microwaves or gawping at 5G speed tests, Aaron covers everything from smartphones, tablets and laptops, to speakers, TVs and smart home gadgets. Prior to joining T3, Aaron worked at the Daily Express and and MailOnline.
-
Renault 5 E-Tech first drive: retro hatchback is one of the best EVs of 2024
A little bit of history repeating
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Hisense U8N review: brilliantly bright and brilliantly priced
Hisense's 2024 Mini-LED TV delivers eye-searingly bright images and is largely capable considering its low asking price
By Simon Lucas Published
-
Xbox rolls out the red carpet for Call of Duty with new accessories
Xbox has a bunch of accessory designs to celebrate the arrival of Black Ops 6
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
How to watch the new Xbox Games Showcase this week
Xbox's new online presentation is all about games, games, games – here's how to watch it live
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Playing games is good for you, it's official – well, one game in particular
Powerwash Simulator chills you out
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Your Xbox gets a neat new trick that could save a lot of time
Updates will finally be a bit easier
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
There's a smartwatch that can play Space Invaders, and it's much cheaper than Apple Watch
If you're going to clone a design, this is the way
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
The SNES is about to die all over again
Nintendo's ending repairs again
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
How to watch the PlayStation State of Play showcase today – 20+ new games for PS5 and PS5 Pro
Here's everything you need to know about the latest PS5 presentation
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Next PlayStation online presentation coming soon – could we get more on PS5 Pro?
It's time for more details
By Max Freeman-Mills Published