Xbox is still pushing its “This is an Xbox” campaign, doubling down on the idea that you can and should play your games anywhere. The campaign has featured different pieces of tech being used as vessels for Xbox content and video games. Laptops, portable PCs, and more can be seen in the ads, showing players the power of cloud gaming and streaming across the Xbox ecosystem.
But, as of Wednesday, April 23rd, players will now have the option of playing their Xbox without even owning a console. And here’s everything you need to know about the new possibility.
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Play Xbox games without owning an Xbox
Xbox announced that players with select LG Smart TV models will gain access to the Xbox app. Now, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will have the option to play games straight from their TV—without the use of a console. LG Smart TVs included in this include 2022 OLED TVs, “select” 2023 LG Smart TVs, and certain smart monitors running on webOS24, which will soon be available on LG’s StanbyME screens. Again, all possible without the use of an Xbox.
As per the official Xbox site, here is how you can experience Xbox on your LG Smart TV. You’ll need the following:
- A LG Smart TV listed above.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership.
- Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller such as the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, or the DualSense controller.
How to play Xbox on an LG TV
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3 months)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to over 100 games on Xbox and PC, including access to cloud gaming so you can play on the Surface Pro 9.
People who own a 2025 LG TV will be able to head to the Gaming Portal accessed from the Gaming Q-Card. There, players can locate the Xbox app and, with a valid Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership and a Bluetooth controller, can start gaming immediately.
Players with LG Smart TVs running webOS24, which extends to 2022 OLED models and 2023 LG Smart models, can simply download the Xbox app from their device’s app store.
As per Xbox, here is a rundown of how to make it happen and have your experience run as smoothly as possible:
- Navigate to the LG Gaming Portal from either Gaming Q-Card or LG Gaming Portal on the Home Page.
- Download and launch the Xbox app.
- Sign into or create your Microsoft account.
- Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller. Controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller are all compatible.
Game Pass has been in the headlines throughout April. Besides everything being used as an Xbox by the gaming subscription service, the model was actually spoken about as being “not for everyone.” Phil Spector discussed the Game Pass during an interview with Variety in mid-April. During that conversation, when he laid out the purpose of Game Pass and why something like console gaming wasn’t their main priority—leading to things like LG Smart TVs being your entire Xbox setup.
“I’ll start with just how many people are playing games. And I’ve always thought about Game Pass as just another option for somebody who wants to play. We have many business models for people playing from free to play, buying games, discounted games, Game Pass is an option. So when I’m looking at Game Pass, I want to make sure the hours that people are playing continue to go up, that new people see this as a way for them to find and build their library of games, and we remain focused on that,” he said in the interview.
As Xbox is making more moves to create a livable ecosystem outside of their console, the future for the gaming powerhouse will be one to keep an eye out for.
