Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has raised the idea of releasing 'streaming sticks' as part of Xbox Game Pass, which could be used to stream games through xCloud after being plugged into the TV. Speaking to Stratechery (via The Verge) Spencer explained: “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. "You could imagine us even having something that we just included in the Game Pass subscription that gave you an ability to stream xCloud games to your television and buying the controller.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=28-best-xbox-game-pass-games&captions=true"] It's worth pointing out that Spencer is speaking somewhat hypothetically at this point, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Microsoft leverage its streaming resources beyond high-priced consoles and smaller-screened mobile devices. Spencer has been talking up the idea of moving beyond the traditional Xbox console ecosystem for some time, repeatedly espousing a games-first approach. “I find it completely counter to what gaming is about to [...] force someone to buy my specific device on the day that I want them to go buy it, in order to partake in what gaming is about. Gaming is bigger than any one device," he told GamesIndustry earlier this year. Streaming sticks that play a selection of Xbox games on TVs - without the need for console hardware - would certainly fit into that philosophy. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/xbox-series-x-the-final-preview"] This isn't to say Spencer is against the idea of console hardware altogether. In the same Stratechery interview, he also mooted the idea of an Xbox Game Pass Platinum tier that would guarantee access to new hardware as part of the subscription. After a long period of testing, xCloud and Xbox Game Streaming are taking shape, letting you play Xbox games across multiple devices. xCloud is now available as part of your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and should be coming to iOS in 2021 via a browser-based solution. If you would like some new Xbox hardware, the Series X and S are coming on November 10. Xbox Series X retails at $499 USD / £449 / $749 AUD, while Xbox Series S comes in at $299 USD / £249.99 / $499 AUD. Xbox Series X and S are currently sold out ahead of launch but, with more units promised, keep an eye on our Xbox Series preorders page - and if you want to know everything about the consoles before you nab one, we have our Xbox Series X and S guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has raised the idea of releasing 'streaming sticks' as part of Xbox Game Pass, which could be used to stream games through xCloud after being plugged into the TV. Speaking to Stratechery (via The Verge) Spencer explained: “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. "You could imagine us even having something that we just included in the Game Pass subscription that gave you an ability to stream xCloud games to your television and buying the controller.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=28-best-xbox-game-pass-games&captions=true"] It's worth pointing out that Spencer is speaking somewhat hypothetically at this point, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Microsoft leverage its streaming resources beyond high-priced consoles and smaller-screened mobile devices. Spencer has been talking up the idea of moving beyond the traditional Xbox console ecosystem for some time, repeatedly espousing a games-first approach. “I find it completely counter to what gaming is about to [...] force someone to buy my specific device on the day that I want them to go buy it, in order to partake in what gaming is about. Gaming is bigger than any one device," he told GamesIndustry earlier this year. Streaming sticks that play a selection of Xbox games on TVs - without the need for console hardware - would certainly fit into that philosophy. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/xbox-series-x-the-final-preview"] This isn't to say Spencer is against the idea of console hardware altogether. In the same Stratechery interview, he also mooted the idea of an Xbox Game Pass Platinum tier that would guarantee access to new hardware as part of the subscription. After a long period of testing, xCloud and Xbox Game Streaming are taking shape, letting you play Xbox games across multiple devices. xCloud is now available as part of your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and should be coming to iOS in 2021 via a browser-based solution. If you would like some new Xbox hardware, the Series X and S are coming on November 10. Xbox Series X retails at $499 USD / £449 / $749 AUD, while Xbox Series S comes in at $299 USD / £249.99 / $499 AUD. Xbox Series X and S are currently sold out ahead of launch but, with more units promised, keep an eye on our Xbox Series preorders page - and if you want to know everything about the consoles before you nab one, we have our Xbox Series X and S guide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Files found in Microsoft Flight Simulator's PC release suggest that Microsoft has investigated the potential of VR on Xbox Series X & S. As spotted by WindowsCentral, Flight Sim forum user Cygnifick posted a series of filename strings that refer to the codename of the Xbox Series range, Scarlett. Strings such as "Scarlett_VR" and "EDITION_Scarlett PublishedPackages_Scarlett.xml" suggest that Microsoft has, at the very least, been considering the implementation of VR on its next-gen consoles the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator. It's nothing concrete - perhaps Microsoft is testing the functionality internally. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/09/microsoft-flight-simulator-accolades-trailer"] Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in 2021, but Microsoft hasn't said anything about VR support for its next-gen console range, which is why these strings are so interesting. Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available on PC as of writing, with VR support on the way via the HP Reverb G2 "later this fall," according to an Xbox blog post published in July. Compatibility with other HMDs will arrive later down the line. You can sign up for the VR Closed Beta on the Flight Simulator website here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Files found in Microsoft Flight Simulator's PC release suggest that Microsoft has investigated the potential of VR on Xbox Series X & S. As spotted by WindowsCentral, Flight Sim forum user Cygnifick posted a series of filename strings that refer to the codename of the Xbox Series range, Scarlett. Strings such as "Scarlett_VR" and "EDITION_Scarlett PublishedPackages_Scarlett.xml" suggest that Microsoft has, at the very least, been considering the implementation of VR on its next-gen consoles the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator. It's nothing concrete - perhaps Microsoft is testing the functionality internally. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/09/microsoft-flight-simulator-accolades-trailer"] Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in 2021, but Microsoft hasn't said anything about VR support for its next-gen console range, which is why these strings are so interesting. Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available on PC as of writing, with VR support on the way via the HP Reverb G2 "later this fall," according to an Xbox blog post published in July. Compatibility with other HMDs will arrive later down the line. You can sign up for the VR Closed Beta on the Flight Simulator website here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

X-Men's Simon Kinberg has signed on to write and produce Universal's long-gestating Battlestar Galactica movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kinberg, who has been shepherding X-Men stories to the screen since 2006's The Last Stand, is on board to write a new script for the upcoming feature adaptation of the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi franchise. Kinberg is also set to produce the movie with Dylan Clark, who has already been attached to the project for some time. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/05/dark-phoenix-review"] "Battlestar Galactica is one of the holy grails in science fiction, and I couldn't be more excited about bringing something new to the franchise, while honoring what's made it so iconic and enduring," Kinberg said in a statement. "I'm so grateful that Dylan [Clark] and my partners at Universal have trusted me with this incredible universe." Over the years, Kinberg has become well-known for his work on the X-Men film franchise, though he has also penned scripts for such films as Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Sherlock Holmes. He made his feature film directorial debut with X-Men: Dark Phoenix last year, and also recently served as one of the producers on The New Mutants, which is coming to Blu-ray and Digital HD on November 17. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] The Battlestar Galactica movie reboot has been in the works for quite some time now, with Brian Singer initially attached to direct the film when Syfy's BSG TV series was drawing to a close in 2009. Ultimately, Singer left the project, and the studio decided to take the film in a different direction with a completely new production crew. Jack Paglen and Lisa Joy were both previously assigned to scriptwriting duties. The feature film adaptation of Battlestar Galactica is not connected to the new BSG TV series, which is currently in development for NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service. However, it has been confirmed that this new series, which is being executive produced by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, will be taking place in the "same universe" as the original cult favourite TV series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

X-Men's Simon Kinberg has signed on to write and produce Universal's long-gestating Battlestar Galactica movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kinberg, who has been shepherding X-Men stories to the screen since 2006's The Last Stand, is on board to write a new script for the upcoming feature adaptation of the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi franchise. Kinberg is also set to produce the movie with Dylan Clark, who has already been attached to the project for some time. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/05/dark-phoenix-review"] "Battlestar Galactica is one of the holy grails in science fiction, and I couldn't be more excited about bringing something new to the franchise, while honoring what's made it so iconic and enduring," Kinberg said in a statement. "I'm so grateful that Dylan [Clark] and my partners at Universal have trusted me with this incredible universe." Over the years, Kinberg has become well-known for his work on the X-Men film franchise, though he has also penned scripts for such films as Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Sherlock Holmes. He made his feature film directorial debut with X-Men: Dark Phoenix last year, and also recently served as one of the producers on The New Mutants, which is coming to Blu-ray and Digital HD on November 17. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] The Battlestar Galactica movie reboot has been in the works for quite some time now, with Brian Singer initially attached to direct the film when Syfy's BSG TV series was drawing to a close in 2009. Ultimately, Singer left the project, and the studio decided to take the film in a different direction with a completely new production crew. Jack Paglen and Lisa Joy were both previously assigned to scriptwriting duties. The feature film adaptation of Battlestar Galactica is not connected to the new BSG TV series, which is currently in development for NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service. However, it has been confirmed that this new series, which is being executive produced by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, will be taking place in the "same universe" as the original cult favourite TV series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Miles Morales actor Nadji Jeter found out that he was starring in an official spin-off at the launch party for 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man. In an interview with Game Informer, the actor talked about bringing Miles Morales to life in the upcoming PS5 game, adding that he first heard about taking on a starring role at the launch of Insomniac's first Spider-Man game. "Bryan [Intihar], who was our creative director for [Marvel's Spider-Man], took me aside and he was like, 'Hey man, how'd you feel about you know, having your own game, and making Miles his own thing?.' [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/spider-man-miles-morales-gameplay-trailer"] Jeter was naturally excited about starring as Morales in an entirely new title. "I was like... 'I'm ready!' But I had to take care of some business stuff on the side, so I told him like, 'Yeah I'm ready man, let's do it, I'm gonna let you know when everything is set in stone and ready to go.'" Jeter then consulted Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal for some pointers about portraying Spider-Man in-game, and about the number of sessions necessary for the role. "Yuri had to teach me how to swing in the booth because you know, Miles wasn't swinging in the first game," Jeter previously portrayed Miles Morales in the Disney XD Spider-Man TV show, as well as Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a PS5 launch game, and will arrive on November 12 in the US. A new Crimson Cowl suit was recently revealed for the game. You can also check out our article covering a host of new Miles Morales gameplay details, which dwells on some of the new abilities that will be available in the game upon launch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Miles Morales actor Nadji Jeter found out that he was starring in an official spin-off at the launch party for 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man. In an interview with Game Informer, the actor talked about bringing Miles Morales to life in the upcoming PS5 game, adding that he first heard about taking on a starring role at the launch of Insomniac's first Spider-Man game. "Bryan [Intihar], who was our creative director for [Marvel's Spider-Man], took me aside and he was like, 'Hey man, how'd you feel about you know, having your own game, and making Miles his own thing?.' [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/16/spider-man-miles-morales-gameplay-trailer"] Jeter was naturally excited about starring as Morales in an entirely new title. "I was like... 'I'm ready!' But I had to take care of some business stuff on the side, so I told him like, 'Yeah I'm ready man, let's do it, I'm gonna let you know when everything is set in stone and ready to go.'" Jeter then consulted Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal for some pointers about portraying Spider-Man in-game, and about the number of sessions necessary for the role. "Yuri had to teach me how to swing in the booth because you know, Miles wasn't swinging in the first game," Jeter previously portrayed Miles Morales in the Disney XD Spider-Man TV show, as well as Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a PS5 launch game, and will arrive on November 12 in the US. A new Crimson Cowl suit was recently revealed for the game. You can also check out our article covering a host of new Miles Morales gameplay details, which dwells on some of the new abilities that will be available in the game upon launch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Liam Neeson has confirmed that he hasn't been asked to reprise his Qui-Gon Jinn role for any live-action Star Wars projects in the two decades since his first appearance as the character. In an interview with Collider, Neeson, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Master in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, indicated that he had only ever been approached for vocal cameos as Qui-Gon. He has lent his voice to the likes of Dave Filoni's The Clone Wars and 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, which featured several Jedi voices in Rey's climactic showdown with Emperor Palpatine. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/03/04/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-6-qui-gon-contacts-yoda"] "I've done the voice for Qui-Gon Jinn in a couple of the animated versions of it," Neeson said when asked whether he had ever been approached to reprise his Star Wars character. "I can't remember the names of them. Myself and Sam Jackson did our Jedi knights for those. I think I did two of them. But on film, I haven't been approached, no." Qui-Gon might have died during the ferocious lightsaber duel with Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, but over the years there has been much speculation over whether the iconic character could return onscreen as a Force Ghost. Neeson questioned whether Star Wars fans wanted these reprisals and character spinoffs, as he admitted that he hadn't been keeping up with the galaxy far, far away. "I haven't really been following them, to be honest," Neeson admitted, referring to the films in the long-spanning franchise. "I don't know if they've come to an end. I heard they did a film of Harrison [Ford]'s character, Han Solo, and that there was a bit of trouble with that. What do you think? Are Star Wars fans finished with it?" [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] With all of the projects that are currently lined up in the Star Wars universe, it would seem that fans are far from finished with the franchise. The highly-anticipated premiere of the second season of The Mandalorian is just around the corner, while an Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone series and an untitled Cassian Andor series are also both in the works for Disney+. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Liam Neeson has confirmed that he hasn't been asked to reprise his Qui-Gon Jinn role for any live-action Star Wars projects in the two decades since his first appearance as the character. In an interview with Collider, Neeson, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Master in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, indicated that he had only ever been approached for vocal cameos as Qui-Gon. He has lent his voice to the likes of Dave Filoni's The Clone Wars and 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, which featured several Jedi voices in Rey's climactic showdown with Emperor Palpatine. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/03/04/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-6-qui-gon-contacts-yoda"] "I've done the voice for Qui-Gon Jinn in a couple of the animated versions of it," Neeson said when asked whether he had ever been approached to reprise his Star Wars character. "I can't remember the names of them. Myself and Sam Jackson did our Jedi knights for those. I think I did two of them. But on film, I haven't been approached, no." Qui-Gon might have died during the ferocious lightsaber duel with Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, but over the years there has been much speculation over whether the iconic character could return onscreen as a Force Ghost. Neeson questioned whether Star Wars fans wanted these reprisals and character spinoffs, as he admitted that he hadn't been keeping up with the galaxy far, far away. "I haven't really been following them, to be honest," Neeson admitted, referring to the films in the long-spanning franchise. "I don't know if they've come to an end. I heard they did a film of Harrison [Ford]'s character, Han Solo, and that there was a bit of trouble with that. What do you think? Are Star Wars fans finished with it?" [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] With all of the projects that are currently lined up in the Star Wars universe, it would seem that fans are far from finished with the franchise. The highly-anticipated premiere of the second season of The Mandalorian is just around the corner, while an Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone series and an untitled Cassian Andor series are also both in the works for Disney+. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.