Xbox Game Pass is currently one of the best deals in console gaming, offering hundreds of games for a flat fee These games can be played on the Xbox console, on a gaming PC, or, thanks to a recent beta version, on a web browser or iOS According to recent documents, Xbox Game Pass may also be coming to the Nintendo Switch If true, the gaming industry could change dramatically in the next few years

This information comes from Axios journalist Stephen Totilo, who tweeted excerpts from documents in the ongoing Epic v Apple lawsuit Since neither Microsoft nor Nintendo is participating in this trial, it may seem a bit odd to hear about these two companies during the litigation However, the Epic v Apple trial has broad implications for the industry in general, especially since it touches on digital game purchasing platforms and royalty structures in general

Most of the documents, though redacted, are transcripts of conversations between lawyers and an Xbox executive who, according to Totilo, was discussing "confidential information regarding negotiations between Nintendo and Microsoft"

"Are there requests from Xbox customers to make streaming available on mobile, including iOS?" the lawyer asks

"That is correct," the executive replies Another question and answer is redacted, but it seems reasonable to assume that the two discussed other potential platforms for Xbox Cloud Gaming The attorney continues later:

"Your work has been involved in discussions about making streaming available on Apple and iOS, but not with regard to [redacted]

In fact, the entire next page of the transcript has been redacted, suggesting that the two are discussing a highly sensitive business strategy

Nothing conclusive can be said about this exchange We can say, however, that the discussion concerned the relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo, that the two were discussing the availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming, and that a redundant part of the discussion began when discussing platforms other than iOSMicrosoft and Nintendo were discussing, it does not seem unreasonable to assume that Xbox Cloud Gaming was somehow brought up

Does this mean that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be announced in a big way at the next Nintendo Direct, so keep your Switch charged and on standby? Not necessarily For one thing, there is no guarantee that the two companies were discussing Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Switch Furthermore, even if they had, there is no guarantee that the idea would come to fruition or that it would happen soon There is a good chance that the idea will not come to fruition until Nintendo's next console is released

In any case, collaboration between Microsoft and Nintendo is not without precedent But if both companies really want to take things a step further, the lines between console, PC, and mobile gaming may continue to blur