Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
New games for 2026 featured image showing Leon Kennedy from Resident Requiem, Lucia from GTA 6, Hugh and Diana from Pragmata, and Coen from The Blood of Dawnwalker
Games New games 2026 and beyond: The biggest video game release dates for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Switch, and more
Xbox Series X and controller.
Hardware Project Helix "might be Microsoft's last attempt to make their hardware business work," analyst suggests
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Xbox Xbox Project Helix announced, "next generation console" will "play your Xbox and PC games," Microsoft says
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
Upcoming Xbox Series Games banner image showing Jason from GTA 6, Marcus from Gears of War E-Day, a steampunk robotic figure in Clockwork Revolution, and Fable's protagonist speaking with a man who has a sword
FPS Games Upcoming Xbox Series X games for 2026 and beyond
The new GamesRadar+ logo on a dark background adorned with crosses in orange and grey
Games The next generation of GamesRadar+ is here
The lighthouse looks at a twisting tree in Keeper
Games Best Xbox exclusives you need to own
Xbox - Future Owns
Hardware Xbox Project Helix might arrive in 2028, analyst suggests – and it "could be priced at $900" at minimum
Xbox Gamescom 2023 logo featuring a stylized city skyline in green
Games Xbox will be "sunsetted" under new CEO, co-founder expects: "Her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor"
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
Xbox Series X
Xbox Microsoft CEO says "we'll always" keep investing in gaming amid Xbox's announcement of mysterious Project Helix
Avowed new screenshot xbox series x
Games Best Xbox Series X games: The 25 greatest Xbox games to play in 2026
Gears of War E-Day release date: A close-up of Marcus Fenix with his face covered in blood during the Gears of War E-Day trailer.
Gears of War Gears of War: E-Day – Everything we know about the upcoming shooter
Starfield
RPGs Starfield reportedly gets its long-rumored PS5 release next month, ending two years of Xbox exclusivity for the RPG
Angled view of Steam Machine with glowing edges and Steam game artwork panels in backdrop.
Desktop PCs The Steam Machine is on the way, so here's everything I need you to know before Valve's mini PC lands
  1. Games
  2. Sports

Phil Spencer teases potential xCloud TV streaming sticks and a new "Platinum" tier for Xbox Game Pass

News
By Heather Wald published 23 October 2020

The head of Xbox teases a potential "Xbox Game Pass Platinum"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Microsoft)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has teased a new tier for Xbox Game Pass, as well as hinting that TV streaming sticks may be coming to its xCloud service. 

As The Verge reports, Spencer spoke about the future of the Xbox ecosystem and the potential for additional Game Pass tiers in an interview with Stratechery (paywall). 

"I think you're going to see lower-priced hardware as part of our ecosystem when you think about streaming sticks and other things that somebody might want to just go plug into their TV and go play via xCloud," Spencer says. 

You may like
  • Xbox Game Pass deals The best Xbox Game Pass deals in March 2026
  • The Xbox Game Pass logo with a huge range of the games available as the tiled background Power up your PC gaming with Xbox Game Pass
  • Xbox Project Helix logo on black background Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console

The head of Xbox goes on to say the streaming stick could be included in the Game Pass subscription to give you the ability to stream xCloud games to your TV. Spencer also teases a new tier of the Game Pass, which may potentially be called  "Xbox Game Pass Platinum", and would provide you with guaranteed access to new hardware. 

Xbox has been promoting Game Pass alongside the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and the subscription continues to expand with the recent news that EA Play subscriptions will be included in Game Pass on November 10 at no additional cost. 

The cloud gaming service xCloud launched as part of Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions on September 15. Now available on Android devices, it has yet to release on iOS on account of Apple's updated terms of service. The terms stated that every game included in the streaming service would require its own dedicated page that would be purchased directly through the app store. 

The Verge recently also reported that Microsoft was working on a solution to bring xCloud to iOS via the web. In the interview with Stratechery, Spencer also says that Microsoft has a "good solution on iOS", and added, "I think it'll be coming kind of early next year". 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Here's our pick of the best games on Xbox Game Pass to play right now or check out all of the upcoming Xbox Series X launch games in the video below.

CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X PC Gaming Xbox One Platforms Xbox
PRODUCTS
Xbox One Xbox Game Pass Xbox Series X
Heather Wald
Heather Wald
Social Links Navigation
Evergreen Editor, Games

Heather Wald is the Evergreen Editor, Games at GamesRadar+. Her writing career began on a student-led magazine at Bath Spa University, where she earned a BA (Hons) in English literature. Heather landed her first role writing about tech and games for Stuff Magazine shortly after graduating with an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University. Now with almost seven years of experience working with GamesRadar+ on the features team, Heather helps to develop, maintain, and expand the evergreen features that exist on the site for games, as well as spearhead the Indie Spotlight series. You'll also see her contribute op-eds, interview-led features, and more. In her spare time, you'll likely find Heather tucking into RPGs and indie games, reading romance novels, and drinking lots of tea.

Read more
Xbox Game Pass deals
The best Xbox Game Pass deals in March 2026
 
 
The Xbox Game Pass logo with a huge range of the games available as the tiled background
Power up your PC gaming with Xbox Game Pass
 
 
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
 
 
Fable 4
What to expect from Xbox in 2026
 
 
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Xbox Project Helix announced, "next generation console" will "play your Xbox and PC games," Microsoft says
 
 
The Xbox Game Pass logo with a huge range of the games available as the tiled background
Give the gift of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate this Christmas
 
 
Latest in Sports
Chelsea green raises a belt as she enters the ring in WWE 2K26
WWE 2K26 replaces traditional DLC with battle passes, and fans are already worn out with the grind
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K26 locker codes (March 2026) for free MyFaction rewards
 
 
A black-haired girl leaps to reach the ball in Neo Tennis, in which you can redeem Neo Tennis codes.
All Neo Tennis codes (March 2026) for lucky spins
 
 
Chelsea green raises a belt as she enters the ring in WWE 2K26
WWE 2K26 review: "Outstanding action in the ring grapples with overly-monetized rewards, which feels like a work"
 
 
Super Golf Battle
This $8 indie game blowing up on Steam is like Mario Golf mixed with Smash Bros., and it's already sold 500k copies
 
 
A player kicks the ball as a purple lizard looks on in Azure Latch on Roblox.
All Azure Latch codes (March 2026) for cash and emotes
 
 
Latest in News
Battlefield 6
Battlefield 6 designers say developers have a "responsibility" to make games intuitive
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave winces
"The first track spoils the whole game": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 dev confirms it was filling your ears with spoilers
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 took inspiration from a surprising anime - Soul Eater creator's Fire Force
 
 
A close-up of Grace talking with someone through glass in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem leads let actors re-do "technically" perfect scenes if it made them happy, says Grace actor
 
 
Kratos approaches Aphrodite's bedchamber in God of War 3
"The God of War sex mini-games were designed by women," which is why Aphrodite's bed looks "like a labia"
 
 
Alan Ritchson in Reacher season 3
Reacher star Alan Ritchson says season 4 is coming this year: "It's by far the best season we've had yet"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix's One Piece
    1
    One Piece season 2 ending explained: Who is Mr. Zero? Who dies? Will there be a season 3?
  2. 2
    Where to read in the manga and what episodes to watch after Netflix's One Piece season 2
  3. 3
    One Piece season 2 review: "It's hard to imagine a better version of One Piece in live action"
  4. 4
    One Piece season 3 release date speculation, story, cast, and everything else we know so far
  5. 5
    As a long-time One Piece fan, I strongly recommend watching these 10 anime shows after you wrap up season 2 on Netflix

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...