Look, we get it. Getting a new Xbox Series X or even Series S can be hard, and the Xbox One isn't too good of a purchase right now (at least the original one, and not the One X or One S. But with this, pretty soon you won't even need a console to play games anymore - that is, if you own the right hardware.
The refurbished Xbox Series X consoles are still available at Microsoft Store.
As reported by PCGamer, owners of select Samsung smart TVs will soon gain access to cloud gaming services via a Game Pass Ultimate subscription via the Xbox app, which can be downloaded via Samsung's Gaming Hub. All you need to do to play games with this is get a Bluetooth controller and a stable-enough internet connection, and you'll be good to go.
The official announcement was made just recently, coupled with a news article on Xbox Wire. According to them, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers who own 2022 Samsung smart TVs will have access to over 100 games, which includes Day One releases from Xbox first-party studios. This even includes Fortnite.
The blog post also shared how the entire thing will work for those who want to start playing. Here are the steps:
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Download the Xbox app from the Samsung Gaming Hub.
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Log into your Microsoft account. If you're subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you already have an automatic ticket to the cloud streaming library. But if you're not subscribed, you can join/upgrade for $1, which you can do directly on the app.
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Take a Bluetooth controller and connect it to your TV. Microsoft recommends the Xbox wireless controller, Xbox adaptive controller, the Elite Series 2 controller, and even the PS5's DualSense controller.
With the Xbox app baked into the latest Samsung TVs, Microsoft promises a "samless experience, similar to using other streaming apps on your TV" (via Polygon). The company also said that the service will be available to 27 countries, though they didn't list them down.
For now, one could expect that the surefire countries to get the service will be the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and many major European countries. The release date is June 30th, as per the original IGN report.
Read Also: How To Upgrade The Storage Of An Xbox Series S: The Basics
Xbox's Commitment To Reaching Gamers All Over The World
Last year, Xbox made a bold claim: they want to reach as many as 3 billion gamers all around the world, regardless of what platform they play on. It doesn't matter if they play on consoles, PCs, tablets, or phones - the brand wants to reach those folks by any means necessary.
As reported by Tech Times, Xbox head Phil Spencer reiterated that while their biggest competitors tend to talk about how they design their products - their consoles and other related hardware. But Team Green looks to focus on software and "embedding the Xbox experience" into a much wider range of devices, without requiring anything more than an internet connection and a controller.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 10: Phil Spencer, vice president of Microsoft Game Studios at Microsoft Corp. speaks during Microsoft Xbox news conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Galen Center on June 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Thousands are expected to attend the annual three-day convention to see the latest games and announcements from the gaming industry.
They then teased their partnership with Samsung as far back as June of last year, and now we're here. For your reference, here are the 2022 TV models that have been confirmed to get the Xbox integration, as shared by IGN:
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Neo QLED 8K QN900B (65, 75, and 85-inch models)
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Neo QLED 8K QN800B (65, 75, and 85-inch models)
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Neo QLED 4K QN95B (55 and 85-inch models)
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OLED 4K S95B (55 and 65-inch models)
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The Frame QLED 4K (55, 65, 75, and 85-inch models)
Which one are you looking to purchase for the year, or perhaps on big sales like Black Friday?
Related Article: Xbox Game Pass Could Get Demos Soon, Says New Rumor
