According to Windows Central, Xbox Cloud Gaming has expanded to millions of players in Brazil through LG Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV devices. The service now supports 29 markets worldwide following its recent launch in India. Brazilian gamers can access hundreds of Game Pass titles without downloading or installing games, requiring only webOS 24 or above on compatible LG TVs or a Fire TV Stick 4K. Players need just a Bluetooth controller like Xbox or PlayStation’s DualSense to start streaming immediately. This marks Microsoft’s continued push into key gaming markets without requiring expensive console hardware.
Why Brazil matters
Brazil represents one of the largest gaming markets in Latin America, but console prices have traditionally been prohibitively expensive due to import taxes and currency issues. We’re talking about consoles that can cost twice what they do in the US. So Microsoft’s cloud gaming approach here is actually brilliant – bypass the hardware markup entirely and go straight to the screens people already own. It’s a workaround for economic realities that have kept many Brazilian gamers from accessing premium gaming experiences.
Changing the console game
Here’s the thing: this move continues Microsoft’s strategy of decoupling gaming from the console itself. While Sony and Nintendo still heavily rely on hardware sales, Microsoft is betting that convenience and accessibility will win in emerging markets. And they’re probably right. When you can play the same games on your existing TV with a controller you might already own, why drop hundreds on a console? This is particularly smart in markets like Brazil where discretionary income for luxury electronics is more limited.
What you actually need
The technical requirements are pretty straightforward. For LG TVs, you’ll need webOS 24 or above, which includes some 2022 OLED models and 2023 models that received firmware updates. Fire TV users need a 4K Stick or compatible device. Both options work with Bluetooth controllers, and Microsoft provides a full list of compatible devices on their support site. The real question is whether Brazil’s internet infrastructure can handle the streaming demands – cloud gaming requires stable, relatively fast connections that aren’t universally available yet.
Where this is heading
This expansion feels like another step toward Microsoft’s vision of gaming as a service rather than a hardware business. They’re making it clear that you don’t need their box to play their games. And honestly, that’s probably the future. As internet speeds improve globally, why would anyone want to manage downloads, updates, and storage limitations? The convenience factor is huge. Microsoft’s official announcement positions this as giving players “more freedom,” and they’re not wrong. It’s just interesting to watch a console maker actively work to make their console less necessary.
