Back in 2021, many will remember Keystone. Behind this name was an Xbox console whose main feature was that it could only connect to the cloud. The idea was on the table for quite some time, to the point that Microsoft ended up canceling it not so much because of its usefulness, but rather because the price at which it would be released would not be attractive enough for players to buy it (the goal was for it to cost 100 euros including the controller, but it was not feasible).
Time has shown that cloud gaming is more present than ever, and you can even enjoy Xbox Cloud with just a mobile phone. Now, if you want to go back in time to learn more about Keystone, thanks to a published patent we have been able to learn more details about it.
Visually, this Microsoft console was going to be very similar to Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X, as shown in the images. In these, you can see that its square shape would be accompanied by a circular top, with certain similarities to the first PlayStation. Likewise, it also included a HDMI connection port and network cable, in addition to the classic button to pair the controller.
The patent images date back to June 2022, just a few months before Xbox boss Phil Spencer spoke openly about this console and why it was ultimately discarded.
Keystone was manufactured and tested by several Xbox workers, who were delighted with its performance. However, the aforementioned price prevented it from being mass-produced for commercialization. The question now is, will we see it at some point in the future? From here, we are certain of a resounding yes.
