LG updates its TVs – Xbox cloud gaming without a console

An Xbox app supporting cloud gaming has been released for certain LG webOS-based smart TVs. With the app, Xbox games can be streamed directly to the TV from Microsoft’s servers, eliminating the need for a local console to run the games.

Playing requires a valid Game Pass Ultimate subscription (17.99 €/month), a Bluetooth controller, and a stable internet connection. The Game Pass Ultimate library includes hundreds of games that can be downloaded, including new titles from the Forza Horizon series and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Streaming dedicated games is supported in games that are not part of the service’s selection, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Hogwarts Legacy.

The app is available only on televisions equipped with the webOS 24 operating system version. Based on this, the supported models are announced to be the 2022 OLED models and selected LG smart TVs from 2023 onwards. The exact list of models has not been released, but the app can be found in the TV’s own app store.

LG is the second television manufacturer after Samsung to introduce cloud gaming for Xbox in 2022. Cloud gaming has rapidly become more popular in recent years: alongside Microsoft, services like PlayStation Plus Premium and Nvidia GeForce Now offer their offerings. Upgrades to new smart TVs have been seen as a key part of manufacturers’ strategies, as consumers have been demanding more versatile entertainment solutions without separate devices.