The Atari VCS console isn't on every game player's radar. The throwback videogame computer system is a throwback to the 70s and the classic 1977 Atari Video Computer System console. The Atari VCS' "Atari Mode" offers over 100 classic Atari games, while its "PC Mode" allows users a unique DIY device for homebrew and emulation. Atari is clearly targeting an audience that loves diversity on a home console, which may explain why there are reports Atari will potentially allow Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Atari VCS.
Atari recently issued a press release regarding its "Annual Results 2020/2021," which delved into its future plans for the Atari VCS. A bullet point listed under Atari's plans for upcoming changes and additions to theAtari VCS referenced the addition of support for cloud game streaming services. For example, Atari listed Google Stadia, GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, and also Xbox. In other words, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers may soon be able to stream games on the Atari VCS.
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One other notable detail in the report is that Atari plans to offer "direct access" to these cloud gaming services. What that means is offering an official means of accessing services like Xbox Cloud Gaming. Instead of directly Atari VCS users to use the system's homebrew PC mode as a workaround, it could mean that the Atari VCS will offer an officially supported app that users can download. Of course, the app itself would have to be made and released by Xbox, meaning Atari would need Xbox's help.
With that in mind, Xbox has already said that it wants to bring Xbox Game Pass via cloud gaming to as many platforms as it's able. The Atari VCS may not have been what it had in mind when it said that, but part of the sentiment absolutely left room open for supporting platforms that weren't part of the original plan.
Fans of other cloud streaming services should also be excited, of course. There are still a lot of video game fans using Stadia, GeForce Now, and Luna, too. They each bring something to the table, just like Xbox Game Pass would introduce its own range of exciting games to Atari VCS that'd otherwise be unavailable.
Atari VCS pursuing support for cloud gaming services like Xbox's Game Pass Ultimate subscription doesn't necessarily mean it will happen, unfortunately. The Atari VCS is still a new and rather unproven device, and business relationships are complicated. But if Atari VCS owners really want to see Xbox Game Pass via cloud on their consoles, now would be a good time to tell both Atari and Xbox to make that happen.
The Atari VCS console is available now.
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