How Xbox Game Pass Ended the Console War
The Xbox Game Pass line of service offerings has set Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) years ahead of the competition in video game streaming and cloud gaming services. Xbox Cloud Gaming allows players to use Game Pass across different non-Xbox devices and is included with Game Pass Ultimate at only $14.99/month, one tier up from the standard Game Pass streaming service for use with Xbox hardware.
This development is important for the company because selling consoles is a notoriously unprofitable business, and it's important for entry-level gaming customers because streaming can significantly lower the barriers to entry for gaming when the prices of consoles, games, and accessories are accounted for.
Don't get me wrong -- consoles aren't dead. But Microsoft is in the perfect competitive position to take advantage of the undeniable rise of game streaming and cloud gaming in a way that complements its position in the console market.
Source Fool.com
