You can now play Xbox games on Hisense TVs without a console
Microsoft has begun rolling out the Xbox app to supported Hisense and other VIDAA OS televisions, allowing subscribers to stream Xbox games without owning a console. The move expands Xbox’s cloud-gaming reach to more household devices and is aimed partly at people who cannot afford or do not wish to buy dedicated hardware.
The app is available on compatible VIDAA OS models released between 2024 and 2026, with wider rollout continuing. Playing requires an internet connection, a compatible Xbox or Bluetooth controller, and a non-PC-only Game Pass subscription, priced from $10 to $23 a month; Ultimate offers more than 500 games and selected new releases on launch day. VIDAA OS is used by Hisense, Toshiba and some European television brands, while streaming owned games remains limited to Xbox Insiders.
In short
- Xbox cloud gaming is arriving on compatible Hisense and VIDAA OS TVs.
- No console is required, but Game Pass and a controller are.
- The rollout covers selected 2024–2026 television models.
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The case for
Bringing Xbox games to supported televisions makes gaming more accessible to people who cannot afford a console or do not want another device, and gives Game Pass subscribers more ways to play. Cloud streaming could also help Microsoft reach households where a console would be impractical, while using existing TVs and controllers.
The case against
The service depends on a reliable internet connection and a paid subscription, so it may not be an affordable or dependable substitute for owning a console, especially where broadband is limited. Streaming also gives players less control over access than locally installed games, and its value depends on compatible TV models, the available catalogue and the quality of the connection.
Explained simply
Xbox cloud gaming allows people to play video games by streaming them over the internet, rather than buying a console. Microsoft is now expanding this service to televisions made by Hisense, Toshiba and other brands, making gaming more accessible to households that cannot afford or do not want to purchase gaming hardware.
To use it, you need a television with VIDAA OS (a smart TV operating system), a strong internet connection, and a compatible controller. You also need a Game Pass subscription, which is a paid monthly service offering access to hundreds of games, including new releases available on launch day.
Game Pass is central to Microsoft's strategy of making gaming more affordable and accessible. By enabling games to stream on televisions many people already own, the company aims to remove financial barriers and reach people who might not otherwise buy a console or gaming PC.
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