Xbox Cloud Gaming Console Patent Surfaces Online
While Xbox mentioned developing a cloud gaming console called "Keystone" back in 2022, the device never made it to consumers. Now, details about a patent for a new device have surfaced online.
The Keystone console was intended to connect to TVs, providing gamers access to Xbox Game Pass and Cloud Gaming. Judging by the patent and its appearance on Phil Spencer's shelf, the device resembled the Xbox Series models – a small white box with the Xbox logo and several ports for connecting peripherals. It was slightly larger than an Apple TV.
Keystone's development underwent several restarts due to Microsoft and Xbox's dissatisfaction with its feature set. Ultimately, the company abandoned the idea of cloud gaming through this form factor in November 2022. At the time, Phil Spencer explained that Microsoft and Xbox couldn't settle on a price for the device: it needed to be low enough to attract buyers but not compete with the Xbox Series S, which retails for $300 or less.