www.microsoft.com/link is partnering with Amazon to launch an Xbox app for Fire TV devices, enabling cloud game streaming for Xbox Game Pass members. The move comes after Microsoft added the Xbox gaming app to Samsung TVs for a similar functionality, letting gamers play Xbox games without needing to buy a console.
The Xbox app will be available for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K. Besides an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, you'll need a Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller to play the games. What's surprising is that this includes support for PlayStation's Dualshock 4 and DualSense controllers, along with supporting the Xbox wireless controller and Xbox adaptive controller.
The partnership with Amazon has synergy with its streaming service, Prime Video, also being home to the highly successful Fallout TV series. This way, new subscribers who have watched the show can dive into the universe of Fallout games on Xbox Game Pass.
www.Microsoft.com /link has been expanding its user base with Xbox Game Pass heavily in recent months, even giving away months of free subscriptions to PC gamers. The subscription service continues to add new games every month, including heavy hitters like Octopath Traveler and The Callisto Protocol in June. With more first-party games coming to Xbox Game Pass, and the service expanding beyond its hardware, Microsoft may make up ground for its diminishing console sales.
That said, Microsoft isn't stepping away from selling consoles. The company is launching a new, all-digital Xbox Series X this holiday season, and has been rumored to be working on a handheld console.