Amazon confirms huge change to Fire TV Sticks in update to customers

A huge change has been confirmed for millions of people who have Amazon Fire Sticks plugged into their TVs. Customers may now be able to play Xbox games through their Fire Sticks, even if they don't have a console.

It follows a new update which means from July selected Fire TV Stick devices will be able download and play some of the best and most sought-after Xbox games. Customers will need a wireless controller and subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

That will allow subscribers to play any game that Microsoft includes in this specific Game Pass, which you can get for £1 for 14 days, the Express reports. Game Pass is a monthly subscription that lets you play Xbox Games online using cloud services.

READ MORE: Millions of households get £122 bank account boost from July

Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter

It costs the regular £12.99 per month after the first two weeks, but that’s still much cheaper than buying a new game every month. The two compatible Fire TV Sticks are the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which cost £59.99 and £69.99 respectively - considerably less than an Xbox.

You'll be able to download the Xbox app on these devices and start playing any game on Game Pass once you’re signed up to the service. According to an Xbox blog post, the only other thing you need is a Bluetooth controller of some description, though an official Xbox controller is the obvious go-to.

“For people new to console gaming, or for those looking for another way to play, it’s a great low-cost, convenient, and portable option to enjoy a huge library of incredible games,” said Ashley McKissick, Corporate Vice President, Xbox Experiences and Platforms Engineering. If you want to check everything is working before you commit to the monthly Game Pass subscription, you’ll be able to play the megahit game Fortnite without subscribing.

"This integration brings the vast Xbox Game Pass Ultimate game library to your TV with just a compatible Fire TV Stick and Bluetooth-enabled controller, making gaming more available,” Amazon said in a blog post. “From epic RPGs like Starfield and Fallout 4 to high-octane racers like Forza Horizon 5, you can experience console-quality gaming through cloud gaming.”