Microsoft and Samsung’s collaboration dates back quite a few years. The two companies have worked closely on the integration of Microsoft Office (MSO) into Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Previously, the American tech giant had also made some of its games available on Samsung Galaxy devices. But, the latest move from the collaboration comes in the cloud gaming turf a Microsoft is looking to set a stronghold with its Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
The companies recently announced that Samsung’s 2022 smart TVs will come preloaded with the Microsoft Xbox app. Users can effortlessly stream the huge library of Xbox Game Pass, including games they own, on their TVs. However, players are required to connect their controllers to the TV via Bluetooth before they can start playing games. Commenting on this development, Microsoft’s gaming head, Phil Spencer, said, “We’re on a quest to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet, and bringing the Xbox app to smart TVs is another step in making our vision a reality.”
However, the integration of the Xbox app into Samsung Smart TVs will be limited. Only the latest 2022 models of Samsung TVs in select 27 countries will come with support for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Part of this is because of the limited availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming itself. However, in supported regions, players can enjoy over 100 titles without waiting times and downloads. These titles include Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Life is Strange: True Colors, and Hades. The library will also include the massively popular battle royale title, Fortnite, as Ashely McKissick, the General Manager of Xbox Game Pass said.
McKissick’s words were, “We created Xbox Game Pass and continue expanding Cloud Gaming to new devices so that we can open up the ways people can play across the devices they already own: PC, console, mobile, tablet devices, and now Smart TVs.” The integration of Xbox Cloud Gaming into Samsung Smart TVs will prove beneficial for both companies. Microsoft is a leading video games developer and publisher, and Samsung directs the world in TV panel manufacturing and sales. Thus, this integration will expand Xbox Cloud Gaming’s base while bringing a unique feature to Samsung TVs, thereby giving them a competitive edge over its competitors.