Xbox Cloud Gaming goes “vroom” — a new partnership with LG will bring Microsoft’s game streaming to webOS-enabled cars

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Have you ever found yourself in the back seat of a car during a road trip, surrounded by LG electronics, and wished you could play some games using Xbox Cloud Gaming at that moment? If that’s the case, then Xbox’s recent partnership is tailored just for you.

Microsoft has revealed that its latest expansion for the Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) program involves teaming up with LG Electronics to deliver the game streaming service in selected internet-connected automobiles.

Through their partnership, Xbox and LG Electronics employ LG’s webOS Automotive Content Platform to debut an indigenous Xbox app. This allows Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to stream and play games directly from their vehicles. The new app features popular Xbox first-party titles such as Gears of War: Reloaded and Forza Horizon 5, with additional games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and The Outer Worlds 2 being added in the future.

In a blog post, Christopher Lee, Vice President of Xbox Marketing, discussed the partnership: “Our collaboration with LG is another step forward for Xbox as we broaden our reach. This partnership builds on existing alliances that have already made Xbox Cloud Gaming accessible on mobile devices, computers, and smart TVs. By including vehicles in our offerings, we’re providing gamers with an unprecedented variety of options to enjoy their games.

While collaboration offers many benefits, there are some prerequisites: To enjoy gaming on-the-go with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), you’ll need an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Additionally, having an automotive data plan and a compatible Bluetooth controller are essential to stream games smoothly using the service.

Collaborating with LG marks a new step in expanding Xbox’s reach, leveraging existing partnerships that have already made Xbox Cloud Gaming accessible on mobile devices, computers, and smart TVs. By incorporating vehicles into the equation, we’re offering gamers an unprecedented variety of options to enjoy their favorite titles.

Christopher Lee, Vice President of Xbox Marketing

Due to the partnership between the collaboration and LG Electronics (rather than car manufacturers), the specific vehicle under consideration needs to be equipped for internet connectivity and come with an LG infotainment system running on WebOS. Only the passenger’s infotainment systems can stream Xbox games through cloud technology.

Playing Cloud Gaming can be effortless since the Xbox is already accessible via an internet-connected in-car entertainment system. Simply connect a suitable Bluetooth controller and open the Xbox app. After logging into your account, you’ll find a variety of streamable games from the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate catalog within the app.

You don’t necessarily need an Xbox Game Pass subscription to access a variety of games on Xbox Cloud Gaming. While these games must be purchased individually, they can still be discovered within the native Xbox app. Among the games available for streaming are Don’t Starve, Mafia: The Old Country, and Bugsnax.

While using our services, you must adhere to driving safety rules, meaning you can’t carve through enemies as your boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong during red traffic lights.

Xbox did not release a list of the vehicles that are capable of using the feature, however.

Growing Xbox Cloud Gaming as console sales shrink

Although it might seem unusual at first, given Xbox’s partnership with LG Electronics, it’s not entirely out of context to imagine cars equipped with LG infotainment systems being likened to Xboxes, given the direction Xbox’s current marketing strategy appears to be heading.

During the Xbox vs FTC hearing, Microsoft’s leadership acknowledged that an increasing number of young gamers prefer using mobile devices instead of traditional consoles or PCs. By partnering with companies like LG (and earlier with LG and Samsung), Xbox can make its games available to more people by bringing them the gaming experience directly to their preferred locations-whether that’s on a phone, at home on the couch, at work at a desk, or even in a car.

Such a partnership not only broadens Xbox’s reach to potential new subscribers, but it does so without the financial obligation associated with hardware sales. The sale of consoles is often at a loss, anticipating that a new customer will continue to use the platform and make enough purchases over time to offset costs. However, by increasing access to the Xbox environment by transforming as many screens as possible into Xbox entry points, it avoids the risk of financial loss inherent in console sales.

As a tech-savvy individual, I’d say that at the heart of it all, enhancing user access without demanding additional hardware investments truly resonates with consumers. This strategy, when implemented by Xbox, reaps substantial benefits for them in terms of consumer loyalty and market appeal. It’s a win-win situation!

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2025-09-09 12:10