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Xbox Is Working On Game Pass xCloud Streaming For Consoles And PC
The power of Project xCloud is coming to Xbox Game Pass on consoles and PC in the future, giving players a new way to try out games. Project xCloud was the name of Microsoft's game streaming service, which has since been rolled into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and currently allows people to play brand new titles on compatible phones and tablets.
The benefit of Project xCloud over a service like Google Stadia is the library of available titles. Game Pass xCloud streaming gives players access to more than 150 games, including some of the best first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios. All that is needed to run xCloud is a fast Internet connection, a compatible controller, and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. With the right setup, it's possible to play games like Gears 5 and Destiny 2 on a smartphone.
As of the time of writing, Xbox Game Pass streaming is only available on compatible smart devices, and cannot be used to stream games to PC or an Xbox console, but this is going to change in the future. Xbox boss Phil Spencer was asked about the possibility of game streaming coming to consoles and PC in the future on Twitter and replied that the ability to stream games to PC and Xbox systems is currently in development, but it's not a top priority. The fact that the Xbox Series S and Series X are coming out in a few weeks should explain why Xbox game streaming is taking a back seat for the time being.
There are a couple of advantages to bringing xCloud technology to consoles and PC. It will allow subscribers to test out games before they play them, without needing to wait for them to finish installing. A game like Wasteland 3 is almost 40GB, so the ability to play an hour or two through streaming can give players a chance to see whether they want to stick with it or not. Like Google Stadia, bringing xCloud to PC will allow people to play games that their computer might not be able to handle. A gaming PC can be an expensive prospect, but a fast Internet speed and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription are potentially more attainable.
All Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers gain free access to Project xCloud, and that's good news for next-gen players. The people who are purchasing an Xbox Series S/X through All Access will gain two years' worth of Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. As such, there are a lot of people who will soon have access to Project xCloud and will get a chance to see how the service works for them. There are a number of issues playing games made for big TVs and PC monitors on a small device, but Project xCloud might find its niche as the best streaming gaming service in the market, beating out the likes of Google Stadia, Project Luna, and PS Now.
Xbox Series X will launch on November 10.
