As for the eligible devices for this service, you need at least a Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) or a Fire TV Stick 4K (2023). All you need is the required subscription, the Xbox app (now available at the Amazon Appstore), a compatible Fire TV Stick, and a Bluetooth-enabled controller. Almost any BT controller will do, but regular console players would definitely be more familiar with the likes Xbox’s native Wireless Controller, or even Sony’s DualSense DS4 Controllers. The service even offers a free option to try Fortnite (via basic features itself), with no membership required.
The Duality of Portability and Latency
As with any cloud gaming platform, portability is its most significant advantage. Users can easily move their gaming setup from one room to another or even take it on the road. As long as there’s a solid internet connection, compatible Fire TV Stick, and controller available, gamers can access their entire library of Xbox Game Pass games and continue their progress seamlessly.
The issue is, of course, latency, hence why we started with such a disclaimer earlier. Never mind the inherent delay of Bluetooth-based input connections. If your internet is not stable enough for cloud gaming, the tiniest of lags will be absolutely detrimental to real-time or action-based games.
Rolling Out to Cheaper Devices for More Users
This launch represents the first time the Xbox TV app has been available on a platform other than Samsung’s recent TVs and monitors, with which Microsoft partnered in 2022. Well, it did become available to Meta’s Quest VR headsets last year, but such hardware is not really the typical home console setup familiar to most users. Plus, the barrier to entry for VR gaming is still incredibly high, and as such, this simpler move to cheaper (and more universally used) streaming media players is a great way to introduce the service to a significantly larger user pool outside its dedicated Xbox subscriber base.
Plus, it is also quite nifty to consider that this partnership coincides with notable game-franchise-related TV series releases like Fallout. Double immersion to the post-apocalyptic universe using both games and shows on Fire TV devices, anyone?
