While we know that Microsoft sells its consoles at a loss (thanks Epic and Apple), Phil Spencer has often told news outlets that the company isn't really that fussed by sales of Xbox systems.
Many may have dismissed it as a tacit admission of defeat in the face of Sony's constantly impressive numbers, but as it happens, Microsoft is one dongle away from changing how we play games for good.
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Xbox Is One Dongle Away From Not Needing To Sell Consoles Anymore
Microsoft has long championed giving its consumers, particularly Game Pass subscribers, the ability to play games anywhere. That's why I can jump into Sea of Thieves on my Xbox One X or PC, or play Forza Horizon on my snazzy Xbox Series X. All my games are everywhere.
With cloud-saves, it's all relatively seamless, and with Microsoft's push towards Cloud Gaming, it's getting even better. I can load up Halo: The Master Chief Collection on my phone (and play using my Backbone One), knowing that the online infrastructure is powered by Xbox Series X consoles in the cloud.
That's pretty wild in and of itself, and while there are some inconsistencies with the likes of connection quality and input lag depending on your device, location, or connection, it's easy to forget just how incredible the tech is.
So what's next? If you don't have an Xbox, you can still play Microsoft's finest exclusives on whatever platforms you do own - but one is missing, and I think Microsoft is coming for your TV.
Imagine a Chromecast-like device that you slot into your TV and gain access to Game Pass' library, with a controller connected via Bluetooth. Plug and go, right out of the box, and that you can take anywhere.
It's the next logical step, but I doubt Microsoft is done there. The original Xbox, so the story goes, was a response to Sony gaining market share in the living room, and putting Game Pass and Game Streaming on any TV feels like a reprise of that same concept.
Microsoft and Samsung have worked together on multiple occasions in the past. Is there a scenario where Samsung's TVs have a Game Pass app pre-installed and come with a three-month subscription? Absolutely there is, with an Xbox button on the remote.
The headline of this piece was that Microsoft wouldn't need to sell consoles, and yes, it's unlikely the company would ever move to a solely cloud-based platform. But in any case, recurring income is a luxury many companies dream of, and Game Pass feels like the poster child for a subscription service.
If you can play Halo Infinite on your TV without needing a console later this year, would you? Let us know in the comments below.